ETHIOPIA: 60 CHRISTIANS KILLED

More than 60 Christians have been killed in a series of attacks in Ethiopia’s Oromia region. The attacks happened between 20 and 24 October, when armed groups targeted Orthodox Christian communities in the areas of Merti and Shirka.

Among those killed were women, children and elderly people. More than 20 others were injured, homes were burned down, and businesses were destroyed.

Targeting Orthodox Christians

Sadly, these attacks are part of a worrying pattern. Over the past year, several Orthodox Christian communities in Oromia have faced violence, with churches damaged, people displaced from their homes, and many lives lost.

In February, armed attackers stormed a market and church in the east Arsi, killing more than 20 Orthodox Christians and one Muslim guard.

In May, at least 12 Orthodox Christians were killed in multiple attacks in the predominantly Muslim community in Arsi Zone. Properties were burned down along with the 101-year-old Telata St Gabriel Church. More than 280 people were displaced.

According to Africa News, the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED) said the violence was ‘believed to be religiously motivated and to have targeted Orthodox Christians’, citing the reported looting of an Orthodox church.

ACLED said attacks against Orthodox Christians in the region had increased since February 2023, with the violence intensifying particularly over the past year.

The reasons behind the attacks are complex. Oromia has experienced years of conflict involving armed groups, political tensions and divisions between different communities. No group has officially been named as responsible for the latest attacks.

These attacks reinforce the vulnerability of many Christians not only in Ethiopia – which is 36^th on the World Watch List – but in many parts of sub-Saharan Africa. If you’ve yet to already, please sign and share the Arise Africa petition, which calls for protection, justice and restoration for our persecuted family in the region. There is still time to do this before the deadline on Monday 2 November. Thank you!