Concern over emerging patterns of genocidal violence by state actors in Amhara Region and surrounding areas of Ethiopia
- AAA-admin
- May 27
- 6 min read
Statement from the Amhara Association of America (AAA)
Concern over emerging patterns of genocidal violence by state actors in Amhara Region and surrounding areas of Ethiopia
May 27, 2026 (Ginbot 19, 2018 E.C.)
Overview
The Amhara Association of America (AAA) expresses concern over the continuation of genocidal violence against Amhara communities by the armed forces of the Abiy Ahmed led Oromo Prosperity Party (OPP) regime and its allies in Ethiopia. Since the onset of 2026 state actors have continued patterns of gross human rights violations against civilian populations as observed over the past five years of war in the region. Patterns of violence have also targeted religious leaders and followers of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church (EOTC) raising further concerns over religious freedom. These abuses have continued in parallel to preparations for a national election scheduled for June 2026 despite worsening insecurity and social upheaval. The worsening state of impunity in Ethiopia warrants concern from all concerned stakeholder in pursuit of peace, freedom, justice and accountability for all.
Patterns of attacks and mistreatment of civilians
Between January 2026 and May 2026 AAA recorded over 242 human rights violation incidents (not including aerial strikes) resulting in 2,601 civilians victimized including 448 killed, 351 injured, 12 cases of sexual violence, 349 abductions and 1,441 arrests. These incidents occurred across 110 district and 21 zonal administrations in the Amhara Region and surrounding areas with the majority of incidents implicating state actors at the federal and regional levels. While major structural units including the Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF) under Birhanu Jula have continued patterns of gross misconduct the scale of abuses has persisted with involvement from additional elements such as the Tigray Peace Forces in northeastern Amhara and the Geda Commando Force in western Oromia.
As an example, numerous incidents were recorded over the past week. On May 21st, regime forces carried out a massacre of ten civilians in the Sembo locality (Kiremu district) and among the victims were women, minors, seniors and persons with disabilities. On May 22nd, indiscriminate shelling in various parts of Raya-Kobo district resulted in numerous civilian casualties including young children which faced obstruction of access to health centers. In relation, AAA received photos of victims displaying bodily injuries. On May 20th, a young girl was gang raped in Nefas-Mewcha town (Lay-Gayint district) by regional security forces.
Since January 2026, AAA has recorded 135 aerial strikes resulting in 217 civilian casualties including 117 dead and 100 injured across urban and rural localities across 30 district and 13 zonal administrations in Amhara Region and surrounding areas. Attacks routinely targeted civilian targets including schools, health centers, ambulances, sites of worship, residential homes and more. On numerous occasions the aerial strikes targeted densely populated areas including the February 15 attack on Wereta town (Fogera district), the February 22 attack on Shawra (Alefa district), the April 1 attack on Mekane-Eyesus (Estie district), the April 5 attack on Feres-Bet (Dega-Damot district), the April 19 attack on Jama (Aneded district), the May 7 attack on Wegeda (Simada district), and the May 13 attack on Mahderemaryam (Farta district).
In areas occupied by armed Tigrayan settlers affiliated to the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) in the Raya territory, residents continue to suffer routine abuses and denial of basic rights reminiscent of the TPLF era apartheid-style administration in the area. Attacks have also continued against religious communities in this territory, namely clergy and worshippers of the EOTC. These abuses raise serious concerns over the state of religious freedom in the region. Furthermore, in recent months, widespread closures of public facilities including schools have been followed by abduction and forced conscription of minors.
Arbitrary arrests of families, mistreatment of political prisoners and abductions
In recent weeks state forces have continued arbitrary arrests of families under allegation of familial relation to Fano members. For example, on May 22nd state forces abducted several members of a single family in the Bolo-Giyorgis locality (Minjar-Shenkora district) including Woizero Alemshet Mengistu, her 3-year-old son Yohanan Melese and Dagim Wubie.
In recent weeks, high-profile political prisoners have reportedly faced renewed violations to their basic human rights and threats to their physical security in Addis-Ababa City and its surroundings. Earlier this month a significant number of persons detained for their ethnic identity and/or political views for more than three years were abruptly transferred from the Kilinto detention facility to the Aba Samuel and Kaliti detention facilities. The transfers were accompanied by reports of detainees suffering continued physical and verbal abuses, insecurity due to proximity to dangerous convicts, food and water shortages, deprivation of medical care, lack of proper bedding, poor sanitary conditions and denial of visitation rights (i.e. legal counsel and relatives). Furthermore, detainees and potential visitors face insecurity due to the threat of attacks by militants on the premise and its surroundings. AAA received names of 57 detainees transferred to Kaliti on May 10th including Hon. Christian Tadele, Hon. Yohannes Buayalew, Dr. Kassa Teshager, Dr. Tewodros Hailemariam, Gobeze Sisay, Abay Zewdu, Dawit Begashaw, Dr. Sisay Awgichew, Dr. Maeregu Biyabeyen, Dr. Meseret Kelemwork, Dr. Chanie Kebede, Dr. Wondwossen Assefa and others. In addition, another 94 detainees were transferred to Aba Samuel several days afterwards including Merigetta Belay Adamu, Deacon Gebremichael Abay, and others. The justification for these transfers was reportedly tied to anticipated unrest related to the scheduled June 2026 elections.
Furthermore, widespread abductions have continued throughout the country by state and non-state actors. For example, on May 19th a large-scale abduction incident was reported in the Alidoro area of Were-Jarso district. The incident involved an attack on a public transportation bus by unidentified militants which left four civilians wounded and over 43 others abducted as the bus was traveling from Addis-Ababa to Debre-Markos. The incident is part of a longstanding pattern of deadly attacks and abductions for ransom against travelers along this corridor often involving Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) militants with involvement of political and military officials from the Oromia Region administration. The attacks often involve identity-based targeting of ethnic Amhara passengers. Notably no meaningful preventative action has been taken by local security structures contributing to concerns of state complicity.
Repression amidst preparations for elections
The ongoing state of insecurity in Ethiopia has made it impossible to hold free and fair elections across most of the country. While in Tigray the restoration of the previous regional administration casts doubt on whether elections will be held in the region, the situation in Welkait-Tegede-Setit Humera Zone remains unaddressed and a source of continued political maneuvering and exploitation by the OPP regime particularly to fuel inter-communal divisions. Furthermore, intolerance for political opposition, and severe restrictions on freedom of expression undermine democratic elements which characterize genuine electoral processes. Testament to this are ongoing mass profiling and arbitrary detentions exercised since 2022 which have left hundreds of opposition figures, parliamentarians, independent media workers, civil society leaders, human rights defenders and others in detention under severe conditions. Patterns of repression have also persisted in the national capital of Addis-Ababa City. For example, last month’s release of the new album “Etorika” by recording artist Teddy Afro prompted acts of harassment and arrests by regime forces in the city.
In spite of the hostile environment, the regime has proceeded with preparations for a national election through use of violence, coercion, extortion and other illicit means, on a wide scale. In relation, reports have indicated widespread threats and acts of physical harm, torture, termination of employment, and inordinate fines to pressure citizens to accept voter registration cards to vote for the incumbent ruling party.
In response to continued mass atrocities and election-related coercion displays of opposition have intensified within Ethiopia and beyond. In April 2026 protests were recorded across dozens of cities in the Amhara Region with members of the public denouncing ongoing abuses and the election process. Similarly, protests have taken place across major cities in North America, Europe, and Australasia with members of the global diaspora urging the international community to act.
Recommendations
AAA continues to call on influential nations, international agencies and human rights organizations to join in condemning emerging patterns of human rights violations in Ethiopia, including direct condemnation of the OPP regime and allied groups. Further, AAA calls on international partner nations and monetary institutions to cease any and all monetary assistance which may be directed to procuring military equipment which may be used to commit further abuses, and utilizing tools such as targeted sanctions against officials and military leaders implicated in abuses, to curb the rise in abuses.
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