OLA insurgency

Armed insurgency in Ethiopia since 2018

OLA insurgency

Part of the Oromo conflict and Ethiopian civil conflict (2018–present)

Territorial control as of March 2025.[a]
(For a more detailed, up-to-date, interactive map, see here).
Pro-federal government troops

Ethiopian federal government and regional allies

Anti-federal government rebels

Oromo Liberation Army

Fano (Amhara militia)

| Date| 6 August 2018 – present
(7 years and 6 days)

|

Location|

Oromia Region, Ethiopia

Status|

Ongoing

* Start of peace talks between government of Ethiopia and the OLA on 25 April 2023.[1][2]
* Conflict resumes after peace talks failed in May 2023.
* Peace agreement signed between OLA leaders and the Ethiopian government on 1 December 2024 and its members started moving into designated camps[3][4][5][6]

Belligerents

* Ethiopia

* Oromia

|  OLA
Commanders and leaders

* Abiy Ahmed
* Birhanu Jula
* Shimelis Abdisa

* Jaal Marroo[7][8]

5,623 killed (per ACLED, Aug. 2018 – Dec. 2022)[9]

The OLA insurgency is an armed insurgency between the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA), which split from the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) in 2018,[10] and the Ethiopian government, continuing in the context of the long-term Oromo conflict, typically dated to have started with the formation of the Oromo Liberation Front in 1973.[11]

The insurgency has gained strength in recent years, though it is not sufficiently armed or organized enough to pose a serious threat to the government.[12]

On 1 December 2024, a peace agreement was signed between the OLA leader Jaal Senay Negasa and Oromia President Shimelis Abdisa.

## Background

[edit]

Main article: Oromo conflict

See also: Ethnic discrimination in Ethiopia and Ethiopian civil conflict (2018–present)

The Oromo conflict traces its roots to the formation of the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) in 1973, which emerged in the aftermath of the Bale Revolt of the 1960s a movement sparked by perceived injustices and marginalization of the Oromo people by ruling authorities and the Oromo people.[11]

In August 2018, the OLF made peace settlements with the Ethiopian government,[13] along with several other groups, including the Ogaden National Liberation Front and Ginbot 7. The OLF leadership agreed to disarm its soldiers within 15 days of their arrival in Addis Ababa. According to then-OLF leader Ibsa Negewo, the OLF claimed to have 1,305 soldiers in Eritrea and 4,000 in West and South Oromia. The men stationed in Eritrea agreed to disarm but most of those in Oromia refused to do so despite their leaders’ wishes. One leader, Kumsa Diriba, also known by his nom de guerre as "Jaal Maro", failed to reach a deal with the government and after a falling out with the OLF, he split away from the OLF and formed OLF–Shene, also known as the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA). Security forces promised to crush the group within two weeks but haven't been able to do so even after 5 years of fighting.[14][15][16]

## Timeline

[edit]

This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (January 2023)

|

During the two years following its 2018 split with the OLF, the OLA killed 700 civilians in the East and West Guji Zones according to Haaji Umar Nagessa, a "veteran freedom fighter and tribal leader", who was assassinated by the OLA on 4 April 2020.[17]

On 29 May 2020, Amnesty International released a report accusing the security forces of Ethiopia of mass detentions and extrajudicial killings. The report stated that in 2019, at least 25 people, suspected of supporting the Oromo Liberation Army, were killed by the forces in parts the Oromia Region. Between January and September 2019, at least 10,000 people were detained under suspicion, where most were "subjected to brutal beatings".[18]

### Joint offensive with the TDF (2021)

[edit]

Main article: TDF–OLA joint offensive

See also: Tigray War and Ethiopian civil conflict (2018–present)

In March 2021 during the Tigray War, a division of the Eritrean Defence Forces left the Tigray Region and arrived in the Oromia Region to fight against the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA), according to Freedom Friday.[19] On 11 August 2021, the OLA leader Kumsa Diriba (nom de guerre Jaal Maroo) announced that the group had formed an alliance with Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) and that there were plans among opposition groups to establish a "grand coalition" against prime minister Abiy Ahmed, himself an Oromo.[20]

During Irreechaa celebrations in early October, protestors chanted against Abiy Ahmed and in favour of OLA commander Jaal Marroo.[21] By late October, the OLA controlled much of the former Wollega province.[22] On 31 October, the OLA took control of Kamisee in the Oromia Zone of the Amhara Region, at the same time as the Tigray Defense Forces took control of Kombolcha, about 50 kilometres to the north.[23]

On 1 November, OLA Commander-in-Chief Jaal Marroo said that the OLA had taken "several towns in western, central, and southern Oromia, facing little resistance from government forces who were retreating."[24]

During early and mid-November 2021, a TDF–OLA joint offensive took several towns in North Shewa zone of Amhara Region along a major road leading south from Tigray Region to the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa, appearing to threaten a military attack on Addis Ababa.[25]

### November 2022 – December 2024

[edit]

Fighting between the OLA and Ethiopian government escalated during November 2022, as clashes between the two killed dozens. An alleged aerial attack killed many in the village of Bila in the West Welega Zone; battles between rebels and government forces in Nekemte followed this attack.[26] It was reported that the OLA seized control of Hamuma Gindo, Babu Dire, Becho, and Harbu kebeles, following clashes with militias there. Drone strikes against the rebels by the Ethiopian military occurred during that time. There were also reports of abductions and attacks against civilians by the OLA.[27] The OLA and Amhara militias clashed in Gutin during December, and both groups were reported to have attacked civilians during their conflict, with Amhara militias attacking civilians in Welenchiti, and the OLA attacking in Kiremu. Many of the Amhara militias have been identified as the Fano militia.[28]

Estimated to be only a few thousand men in 2018, the OLA has gained strength in recent years, though it is not sufficiently armed or organized enough to pose a serious threat to the government.[29] On 1 December 2024, OLA leaders and Ethiopian government reached peace agreement after years of previous peace talks in Tanzania. It was signed between OLA leader Jaal Senay Negasa and Oromia President Shimelis Abdisa in Addis Ababa.[30][31]

## See also

[edit]

* Abo church massacre
* Ethnic discrimination in Ethiopia

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Ethiopian PM announces start date of peace talks with rebel group". 24 April 2023.
2. ^ "Ethiopian Government Initiates Peace Talks With Oromo Rebel Group". 24 April 2023.
3. ^ "Ministry Hails Peace Deal Between Oromia Regional Gov't, OLA Senior Leader as Critical Step". 1 December 2024.
4. ^ "Oromia regional government and OLA sign peace agreement in Ethiopia (+Photos)". 1 December 2024.
5. ^ "Members of OLA begin moving into designated camp following Peace agreement". 3 December 2024.
6. ^ "OLA Militants Start Entering to Designated Camps Following Peace Deal". 3 December 2024.
7. ^ "USA TODAY". www.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2022-12-01.
8. ^ "ETHIOPIA : Who's who among Abiy's Oromo foes – 06/01/2022". Africa Intelligence. 2022-01-06. Retrieved 2022-12-01.
9. ^ "ACLED Dashboard – ACLD". ACLED.
10. ^ Shaban, Abdur Rahman Alfa (7 August 2018). "Ethiopia govt agrees peace deal with Eritrea-based 'ex-terror' group". Africanews. Archived from the original on 4 December 2020. Retrieved 12 August 2018.
11. ^ a b "Insurrection and invasion in the southeast, 1963–78" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-12-26. Retrieved 2017-06-01.
12. ^ "Ethiopia: Rebels kill 48 in Oromia region, says rights agency". The Africa Report. 7 November 2024.
13. ^ Alfa Shaban, Abdur Rahman (7 August 2018). "Ethiopia govt agrees peace deal with Eritrea-based 'ex-terror' group". Africanews.
14. ^ Dube, Nagessa (2021-06-18). "Ethiopia: Victory for the Oromo will come from winning hearts and minds, not terrorising people". The Africa Report.com. Archived from the original on 2021-08-08. Retrieved 2021-08-08.
15. ^ "Ethiopia's Oromia conflict: Why a teacher was killed 'execution-style'". BBC News. 2021-01-16. Archived from the original on 2021-06-29. Retrieved 2021-08-08.
16. ^ Zelalem, Zecharias (20 March 2021). "Worsening violence in western Ethiopia forcing civilians to flee". Al Jazeera English.
17. ^ Dube, Nagessa (3 August 2020). "Guji Oromo need freedom from liberators". Ethiopia Insight.
18. ^ "New report alleges killings, mass detentions in Ethiopia". Associated Press. 29 May 2020. Retrieved 29 May 2020.
19. ^ "Report: 'Eritrean troops despatched to Oromia'". Eritrea Hub. 2021-03-22. Archived from the original on 2021-03-22. Retrieved 2021-03-22.
20. ^ Anna, Cara (11 August 2021). "Ethiopia Armed Group Says it Has Alliance with Tigray Forces". Associated Press. Archived from the original on 2021-08-13. Retrieved 2021-08-24.
21. ^ "News: Protests break out at Irreecha Hora Finfinne festival in Ethiopia's capital". Addis Standard. 2021-10-02. Archived from the original on 2021-11-01. Retrieved 2021-11-01.
22. ^ Zewdu Teshome, Moges (2021-10-20). "We must end the civil war to save Ethiopia". Ethiopia Insight. Archived from the original on 2021-11-01. Retrieved 2021-11-01.
23. ^ "Tigrayan and Oromo forces say they have seized towns on Ethiopian highway". TimesLIVE. 2021-11-01. Archived from the original on 2021-11-01. Retrieved 2021-11-01.
24. ^ "Oromo Liberation Army: On the ground with Ethiopian fighters". BBC News. 2021-11-01. Archived from the original on 2021-11-01. Retrieved 2021-11-02.
25. ^ Walsh, Declan; Marks, Simon (2021-11-02). "Ethiopia Declares State of Emergency as Rebels Advance Toward Capital". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 2021-11-16. Retrieved 2021-11-16.
26. ^ Anna, Cara (8 November 2022). "Witnesses say new fighting in Ethiopia's Oromia kills dozens". ABC News. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
27. ^ "EPO Weekly: 26 November-2 December 2022". Ethiopia Peace Observatory (ACLED). 6 December 2022. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
28. ^ "EPO Weekly: 3–9 December 2022". Ethiopia Peace Observatory (ACLED). 14 December 2022. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
29. ^ "Ethiopia: Rebels kill 48 in Oromia region, says rights agency". The Africa Report. 7 November 2024.
30. ^ Endale, Ashenafi (2024-11-30). "Oromia Says Peace Talks With OLA In Progress, Claims Facilitating Tanzania Negotiations". www.thereporterethiopia.com. Retrieved 2024-12-08.
31. ^ "Oromia Regional Government, OLA senior leader sign peace agreement". Welcome to Fana Broadcasting Corporate S.C. 2024-12-01. Retrieved 2024-12-08.

## Notes

[edit]

1. ^ Other maps of territorial control in this war are presented by MapEthiopia

## External links

[edit]

* OLA and Addis open preliminary talks in climate of mistrust, April 27, 2023 (requires free registration)

* v
* t
* e

Oromo conflict (1973–present)

Background|

* Oromo people
* Oromo migrations
* Menelik's Invasions
* Mecha and Tulama Self-Help Association
* Bale revolt

Events|

| 1973–2018|

* Battle of Tiro, 1974
* Turbi massacre, 2005
* Oromo protests, 2014–2016

|

OLA insurgency
(2018–present)|

* Burayu massacre, 2018
* Gawa Qanqa massacre, 2020
* Abo church massacre, 2021
* Ataye clashes, 2021
* Shewa Robit ambulance massacre
* TDF–OLA joint offensive, 2021
* Gimbi massacre, 2022
* North Shewa clashes, 2022
* Qelem Wollega massacre, 2022

Related|

* October 2019 Ethiopian clashes
* Hachalu Hundessa riots, 2020
* Tigray war, 2020–2022
* War in Amhara, 2023–present

Topics|

* OLA peace process
* Oromia–Addis Ababa relations
* Oromo nationalism

Groups|

* Oromo Liberation Front (1973–2018)
* Oromo Liberation Army (2018–present)
* Islamic Front for the Liberation of Oromia (1985–1987)
* Ethiopian Unity Patriots Front (1998–2012)

Conflicts in the Horn of Africa

* v
* t
* e

Ethiopian civil conflict (2018–present)

Background|

* Ethnic discrimination
* 2014 Addis Ababa Master Plan
* 2015 Ethiopian uprising
* 2014–2016 Oromo protests

Conflicts by region|

| Afar|

* Afar–Somali clashes
* Galikoma massacre

|

Amhara|

* 2019 coup attempt
* 2021 Ataye clashes
* 2022 North Shewa clashes
* Persecution of Amhara people
* War in Amhara
* Drone strikes
* Finote Selam
* Merawi massacre
* Amhara offensive
* Spillover

Benishangul-Gumuz|

* Benishangul-Gumuz conflict

Oromia|

* Oromo conflict
* OLA insurgency

Somali Region|

* Oromia–Somali clashes

SNNPR|

* Gedeo–Guji clashes
* Ethnic violence in Konso
* Ethnic violence against Amaro Koore

Tigray|

* Tigray war
* Spillover
* War crimes
* template

Peace processes|

* OLA
* Tigray
* peace agreement

Armed groups|

* Afar Revolutionary Democratic Unity Front
* Amhara
* Fano
* Benishangul People's Liberation Movement
* Ethiopian National Defense Force
* Liyu Police
* Oromo Liberation Army
* Sidama National Liberation Front
* Tigray
* Tigray People's Liberation Front
* Tigray Defence Forces
* United Front of Ethiopian Federalist and Confederalist Forces
* Foreign forces
* Sudanese Armed Forces
* Eritrean Defence Forces

Human rights
organisations|

| Government|

* EHRC

|

Grassroots|

* EHRCO
* ERCS
* Seb Hidri
* Yikono

Related|

* Al-Fashaga conflict
* 2022 al-Shabaab invasion of Ethiopia
* Internment camps in Ethiopia

Category
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*[e]: Edit this template