URGENT APPEAL TO INTERVENE AND HALT THE CONTINUED KILLINGS OF CITIZENS IN THE OROMIA REGIONAL STATE OF ETHIOPIA

To All Concerned Parties and World Leaders,

We, the United Oromo Evangelical Churches (UOEC), an umbrella organization representing Oromo Churches across the USA, Canada, Europe, Australia, and Africa, write to you with profound urgency and sorrow to condemn the relentless and unconscionable killings of innocent civilians in the Oromia regional state of the Ethiopian Empire.

We have previously cautioned international leaders that the escalating violence and targeted elimination of prominent political figures and ordinary citizens would not foster peace or stability. Instead, these actions are rapidly worsening an already fragile situation. The daily reality for the Oromo people is one of fear, characterized by egregious human rights violations and summary executions perpetrated by Ethiopian government security forces.

We lack the capacity to document every atrocity, but the following recent incidents serve as stark, undeniable evidence of this systemic brutality:

Documented Atrocities (Recent Victims of State Violence:

October 6, 2025 (Shawaa Zone): Mrs. Ayyaluu Asfawuu, a mother of twelve children, was unjustifiably gunned down by government security forces in Jidaa, gaango.

October 19, 2025 (Gujii Zone): After simply questioning the killing of another citizen, Mr. Boneya Waaqoo, a young church choir member named Mr. Goobanaa Didoo was beaten by local officials, dragged from a hospital where he sought treatment, shot, and left in the wilderness to be scavenged by wild animals.

October 19, 2025 (Giddaa Ayyaanaa Zone): Mr. Addunyaa Workuu, a recent university graduate visiting his parents in Geendootti village, was killed at his residence by security forces without cause.

October 26, 2025 (Dambi Dollo): Mr. Marga Fayissa, a young man seeking his monthly TB medication at a local hospital, was murdered by security forces. His corpse was left on the street, and his family was initially forbidden from burying him until local elders intervened.

October 28, 2025 (Arsii Zone, Muunessa village): Two brothers, Mr. Kaliil Gabii Xaafaa and Mr. Quufaa Gabii Xaafaa, were taken from their mother’s home and executed. On the same day, an elderly man, Mr. Erkisoo Gishe Galgaluu, was killed in the same village.

November 6, 2025 (Arsii Zone, Muunessa village): Two more innocent citizens, Mr. Ogatoo Shukkuu and Mr. Gammaada Kadiir, were killed by security forces and their bodies abandoned in bushes to be devoured by wild beasts.

Call to Action

The United Oromo Evangelical Churches implore all concerned parties to demand an immediate end to this violence and compel all sides to seek resolution through peaceful, internationally mediated negotiations.

To achieve sustainable peace and justice, the following actions are imperative:

1. Independent Investigation: The Ethiopian Government must allow an independent, international body to investigate the murders of all named victims.

2. Citizen Protection: The Ethiopian Government must immediately guarantee the safety and human rights of its citizens in Oromia and all other regional states.

3. Universal Condemnation: All religious organizations within Ethiopia and across the diaspora must unequivocally condemn these killings.

4. Humanitarian Response: All humanitarian organizations must mobilize to rescue and support the families and communities traumatized and affected by this violence in Oromia.

5. International Pressure: International bodies—specifically the United Nations Human Rights Council, the African Union, the United States Government, and the European Commission—must utilize their considerable influence to bring opposition groups and the Ethiopian government to a viable negotiating table to secure lasting peace in East Africa.

The UOEC continues to pray for the Oromo people without ceasing.

May God bless all peacemakers abundantly!

UOEC Press relese, December 2025.pdf

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