Briefing on Recent Outbreaks of Violence in Illubabor and Beghi-Gidami (Wellega)

From: Brian C. Gilchrest
Date:  October 19, 2006

Ethiopia has been home to the three Abrahamic faiths of Judaism, Christianity and Islam for centuries. Though at times romanticized, members of differing faith perspectives have coexisted, even intermarrying for generations. People from the outside world have lifted up and pointed to this positive example of inter-faith relations within Ethiopia as a model to be praised, and duplicated. This largely remains true, but the past years have seen a worrying rise in tensions between Muslim and Christian communities. On occasion these tensions have erupted in localized violent episodes. These incidents, although unnerving, have remained contained and not spread beyond the initial conflict’s epicenter.

Beginning around September 26 this has changed. A level of violence not witnessed in years between members of differing faith groups has gripped western portions of Ethiopia. The violence has included members of the Ethiopian Muslim community, the Ethiopian Orthodox Church community, and members of the Protestant or Evangelical community.

At the time of this writing, more than 100 residences had been destroyed and numerous churches burned. These places of worship include those of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus, and Kale Hiwot. Initially over 1,000 persons (predominantly Orthodox) were displaced in Illbabor. Most have since been able to return to their home areas, but many found they had nothing to return to. In Beghi-Gidami an estimated 300–500 persons have been displaced (predominantly Mekane Yesus), many of whom have taken refuge in the town of Beghi with relatives or in the Beghi-Gidami Synod Compound.  Tens of persons, Muslims and Christians alike, have lost their lives or sustained wounds of varying degrees of seriousness. Gunshots and bladed weapons such as machetes, knives and swords are reportedly responsible for wounds inflicted and deaths.

Although the past 24+ hours have passed without any known incidents of violence, the situation remains fluid and unpredictable. In this environment detailed and accurate information is difficult to gather and verify. It is too early at this juncture to state what connections if any exist between the outbreaks of violence in Illubabor and Beghi-Gidami. It is likewise premature to state with confidence what variables have contributed and motivated this most recent rise in tensions and subsequent violent acts between peoples of faith. Rumors abound, and any attempts at drawing precise conclusions at this point in time would be mere speculation and unhelpful.

Efforts from a variety of actors both religious and secular are presently under way to call for peace and emphatically state that neither religion (Muslim or Christian) condones or legitimizes the actions of the past weeks. There is a building momentum to address both this initial crisis as well as to formulate frameworks for building bridges, sustaining channels of healthy dialogue and beginning processes that hopefully lead to healing and reconciliation. These combined efforts and future initiatives will provide the seeds for the further strengthening of attitudes and behaviors of tolerance, inclusiveness and mutual respect amongst all peoples regardless of faith.