PRESS RELEASE

ANU Condemns Reported Massacre of More Than 43 Ethiopian Orthodox Christians in Arsi, Oromia Region

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Date: October 25, 2026

SHERKA, East Arsi Zone, Oromia Region, Ethiopia — ANU strongly condemns reports of a coordinated attack in Sherka District, East Arsi Zone, Oromia Region, in which more than 43 Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Christians were reportedly killed on October 24, 2026, according to accounts provided by survivors and local sources.

The reported killings took place across three kebeles—Torita, Berbona Chole, and Sole—according to the information received by ANU. The reports describe a devastating attack that claimed the lives of civilians, including children and elderly people, and involved the desecration of religious sites and the killing of a church gatekeeper.

Allegations of Armed Group Involvement

Survivors have identified the alleged perpetrators as members of an armed group known as “Raap’i Ola,” which they describe as aligned with Ethiopia’s ruling regime. According to the accounts provided, the attackers allegedly traveled from Asella to Sherka late at night on October 24 before carrying out the killings.

Eyewitnesses further allege that members of the armed group acted in coordination with local Oromia Prosperity Party militia members and police personnel. These are serious allegations that require an independent, impartial, and credible investigation. ANU calls on the relevant authorities and independent investigative bodies to establish the facts, identify all individuals involved, and ensure accountability in accordance with the law.

Survivors also reported that the attackers used threatening and exclusionary language against the victims, allegedly telling them:

“Your country lies beyond the Awash River. Leave our region. This is Oromo land.”

These statements would raise grave concerns about ethnically or religiously motivated violence and the deliberate targeting of people on the basis of their identity. No Ethiopian citizen should be threatened, displaced, or killed because of their religious faith, ethnicity, or perceived place of origin.

Churches and Religious Communities Targeted

According to survivor accounts, 36 victims were buried in a mass grave at St. Urael Church, while three others were reportedly buried in a separate grave at St. Michael Church. Sources also reported that Sole Medhanealem Church was looted and its gatekeeper killed.

The reports indicate that the death toll may rise, as some bodies were allegedly left in surrounding bushes and had not yet been recovered at the time the information was provided.

ANU expresses its deepest condolences to the families of those reportedly killed, to the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, and to all communities affected by this tragedy. The reported killing of children and elderly civilians makes the urgent need for protection, medical assistance, the recovery and dignified burial of victims, and humanitarian support even more pressing.

Concerns Over Alleged Complicity and Incitement

Sources have further alleged that armed groups affiliated with the Oromia government, such as Gadda Commando, other armed actors, and local civilians allegedly incited by hatred participated in or supported the violence. These crimes and massacres must be investigated thoroughly, and responsibility must be determined as soon as possible.

ANU emphasizes that such state sponsored crimes and massacres must not be used to assign collective guilt to an entire ethnic, religious, or regional community. Accountability must focus on those who planned, ordered, enabled, or carried out crimes, regardless of their affiliation or position.

ANU’s Demands

In response to these reports, ANU calls for the following urgent actions:

1. An independent investigation: Establish an impartial investigative mechanism to document the killings, verify the number and identities of victims, determine the circumstances of the attack, and identify those responsible.
2. Immediate civilian protection: Take effective measures to protect Ethiopian Orthodox Christians and all other civilians at risk in Sherka and neighboring areas, without discrimination.
3. Accountability for all perpetrators: Investigate allegations of involvement by Raap’i Ola members, Gadda Commando, local militia, police personnel, and any other individuals or organizations implicated by credible evidence. Anyone found responsible must be held accountable through lawful proceedings.
4. Recovery and dignified burial of victims: Ensure that all reported bodies are located, recovered, identified where possible, and handled with dignity. Families must receive accurate information about their loved ones.
5. Humanitarian assistance: Provide urgent assistance to bereaved families, survivors, displaced residents, and others affected by the violence.
6. Protection of religious institutions: Take concrete steps to protect churches, clergy, worshippers, and religious property from further attacks, looting, and desecration.
7. Public transparency: Authorities should issue a timely, factual account of the incident, disclose the status of investigations, and explain what measures are being taken to prevent further violence.
8. An end to incitement and impunity: Investigate credible reports of hate speech, incitement, and threats intended to drive people from their homes because of their identity.

A Call for Justice and Urgent Action

ANU is deeply concerned by the reported scale of the repeated killings and the reports that civilians were targeted in their own communities and near places of worship. The attack represents a grave violation of the victims’ fundamental rights and demands an effective response from the responsible authorities.

The loss of innocent life cannot be dismissed, concealed, or answered with silence. Political statements and expressions of condolence are not substitutes for a transparent investigation, the protection of survivors, and justice for the victims.

ANU urges Ethiopian authorities, relevant human rights bodies, religious institutions, and independent observers to take these reports seriously, preserve evidence, interview survivors safely, and establish the facts without political interference.

We call on all communities to remain vigilant, support those affected, reject collective blame and retaliatory violence, and work together to protect civilians. The defense of human life, religious freedom, and equal citizenship must remain paramount.

ANU stands for truth, accountability, civilian protection, and justice for every victim.

Issued by: Agaezi National Union (ANU)

Media and Communications Office

www.anu-party.org