Attacks by OLA Jal Mosisa, Gadda Commandos & Fano in Wellega
Three Ethiopian armed entities operating in Wellega zones in Oromia are said to be behind resurgence of violence in Wellega, which is spreading into Shewa. What is the role of OLA Jal Mosisa group, Gadda Commandos, and Wellega Fano in the ongoing ethnic violence in Oromia?
In the last two weeks, unknown numbers of people from Amhara, Tigrayan and Oromo ethnic groups have been killed and injured in East Wellega, Kellem Wellega and Southwest Shewa zones in the Oromia region. Government, Fano and OLA are accusing each other.
Oromo Liberation Army (OLA), led by Kumsa Dirriba Jal Marro, is the largest armed Oromo opposition group operating in the Oromia region. Oromia government and groups in Amhara have long been accusing OLA of attack on ethnic Amhara people in Wellega. OLA always denied. In March this year, OLA Kumsa Dirriba group issued a statement stating therein that a “fake” OLA group led by Jal Mosisa has been created by the government and this group is carrying out attacks on Amhara civilians and putting the blame on OLA Jal Marro group.
Gaddao Commandos is the newly established informal Oromo regional militia, reportedly organized by the government. Fighters of Gadda Commandos and Jal Mosisa OLA group have been seeing operating together. Oromo Liberation Army Jal Marro group and some Amhara sources accuse Gadda Commandos and OLA Jal Mosisa group of carrying out attacks on ethnic Amhara in Wellega.
Another armed player in Wellega is Bizamo or Wellega Fano. Wellega Fano consists of Amhara fighters. Amhara people have been arming themselves on woreda level in recent years. When they started organizing and arming themselves, government backed them, as government wanted to use them against Oromo Liberation Army. But last year, Wellega Fano and Oromo Liberation Army reached an informal deal and joined an opposition alliance called Tsimdo. Some people, like Jawar Mohammed who is deputy President of Oromia Federalist Congress, accuse Wellega Fano of working in collaboration with government forces to carry out attacks on Oromo civilians in Wellega.
While overall security situation in Wellega is complex, it seems that newly formed alliance between Oromo Liberation Army Jal Marro group and Wellega Fano is a matter of concern for the government. According to a source, the government is mobilizing different groups like OLA Jal Mosisa group, Gadda Commandos etc. to create divisions between local Amhara and Oromo population. While it could not be confirmed that Wellega Fano is fully coordinating with government, some elements in Wellega Fano could be in contact with government forces.
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