Systematic attacks across Horo Guduru and East Wollega zones have left dozens of historical parishes destroyed and rural communities displaced
By Staff Writer
(Nairobi, Kenya) — Forty-two churches belonging to the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church have been burned, destroyed, and looted across the Limu, Gida Ayana, and Jimma Geneti woredas of Horo Guduru Wollega and East Wollega zones in the Oromia Region over recent months, according to field reports from Ethio Focus.
Local church representatives and civil society monitoring groups reported that the systemic destruction of sacred sites and historical parishes appeared coordinated to displace rural farming communities, undermine local social cohesion, and break the spiritual morale of residents. Among the affected structures, several represent decades-old parish communities established between 1979 and 2012.
While verification efforts continue for 14 affected sites, documentation confirms the identity and founding dates of 28 destroyed parishes. The verified list includes Village 4 Medhanealem, Village 3 Maryam, and Tulu Lencha Michael (all established in 1979/1980); Village 5 Zion Maryam (1980/1981); Andode Bechiboch Giorgis and Ali Michael (1981/1982); Village 6 Weseta Giorgis and Tulu Lencha Maryam (1982/1983); Village 22 Medhanealem and Leli Teklehaymanot (1983/1984); Village 6 Giorgis and Ali Maryam (1984/1985); Andode Selassie and Village 1 Debre Hayl Teklehaymanot (1986/1987); Andode Shasho Bar Abo and Gind Ansaw Michael (1987/1988); Waja Abo (1988/1989); Andode Shasho Bar Maryam (1991/1992); Nigulo Gabriel (1992/1993); Hare Michael (2003/2004); Sosolo Michael (1995/1996); Bijit Abo and Sekela Bale’egziabher (1997/1998); Chancho Maryam (2006/2007); Waja Giorgis and Boda Ba’eta Maryam (2007/2008); Waja Medhanealem (2009/2010); and Melkalemi Medhanealem (2011/2012).
Human rights monitors note that the destruction of religious institutions in western Oromia reflects an ongoing pattern of targeted insecurity that has left tens of thousands of rural residents without spiritual sanctuaries or community protection. Federal and regional government officials have not yet issued formal statements regarding investigation outcomes or security deployments in the affected woredas.
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