Executions, abductions, rape: Ethiopia's Oromo Civil War

A rare interview with Jaal Marroo, leader of the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA), reveals the ongoing and brutal conflict in Ethiopia’s Oromia region. The OLA has been battling the Ethiopian government since 2018, with both sides accused of severe human rights violations, including summary executions, drone strikes, and sexual violence. Marroo defends the OLA’s actions as a fight for democratic rights, while government forces conduct counterinsurgency operations that residents say involve extrajudicial killings and extortion. The conflict has caused a massive humanitarian crisis, with 3.2 million children out of school, looted health clinics, and widespread insecurity driven by insurgency, ethnic tensions with Amhara groups, and criminal banditry. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's government faces accusations of marginalizing the Oromo population despite his own Oromo heritage. Amnesty International is set to release a comprehensive report on the atrocities in March 2026.