WCC Condemns Deadly Drone Strike in Ethiopia, Urges Ceasefire and Inclusive Dialogue

By: Getahun Tsegaye
Staff Writer 

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia– The World Council of Churches (WCC) has issued a strong condemnation of the drone strike on April 23 in Gedeb kebele, Enarji Enawga district of East Gojjam Zone, Amhara region, Ethiopia, which reportedly killed over 100 civilians. WCC general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr. Jerry Pillay conveyed his “deep concern and sorrow” over this “tragic loss of civilian lives.”

“This atrocity adds to a growing list of similar incidents in recent months, including another devastating drone strike in 2024 that targeted civilians,” Pillay stated, emphasizing that attacks on civilian-populated areas violate fundamental humanitarian principles. “The World Council of Churches condemns in the strongest possible terms such attacks on civilian-populated areas.”

Reports from local media, including Borkena, and eyewitness accounts relayed by the BBC, described a devastating scene in Gedeb. Civilians, including women, children, and the elderly, had gathered for community activities such as building fences for the local primary school, constructing mud houses, and preparing for Easter celebrations when the drone strikes shattered the town’s fragile peace. Borkena reported that the attack occurred in three separate waves across Gedeb, causing widespread destruction. “We didn’t know what happened,” a survivor recounted. “Everything went black.”

The WCC also expressed alarm regarding the increasing use of drones in Ethiopia’s conflicts without adherence to humanitarian law. Pillay warned, “The situation raises deep moral and ethical questions,” urging all parties in Ethiopia to “respect international humanitarian law, to refrain from attacks on civilians and civilian communities, and to commit to an immediate and unconditional ceasefire.”

His call echoes the distressing accounts from Gedeb, where residents were compelled to quickly bury disfigured bodies in mass graves. “When they said to bury them quickly so that vultures wouldn’t eat them, the community quickly buried them in about five graves,” a resident painfully recalled. Approximately 115 to 120 bodies were buried at Gedeb St. George Church, many without proper identification.

Despite these accounts, local officials have disputed the civilian death toll. Enarji Enawga district administrator Mulu Gete claimed the strikes targeted “Fano extremists,” a position rejected by many in the community. “If they were Fano members, we would have found armed individuals,” a local trader insisted. “We know who Fano are; we know our neighbors.” BBC Amharic similarly reported that survivors emphasized the victims were unarmed civilians, with Asres Mare Damte, deputy chairman of Amhara Fano in Gojjam, stating, “All those killed in the attack were civilians. Not a single armed person was at the scene.”

Against this backdrop of grief and anger, broader efforts toward peace are underway, though met with skepticism. The National Dialogue Commission, led by Professor Mesfin Araya, has been attempting to mediate Ethiopia’s deepening crisis, including the conflict in Amhara. During a recent visit to Bahir Dar, Professor Mesfin urged an end to violence and encouraged communities to embrace dialogue, stating, “Dialogue is the only sustainable solution. Our wounds are deep, but they can only be healed through conversation, not through the gun.”

However, his appeal has been met with reservations among some political and community groups in the region, who have raised concerns about the Dialogue Commission’s legitimacy and inclusivity, particularly amidst ongoing conflict and humanitarian crisis. Questions remain about whether the Dialogue adequately represents grassroots actors, including members of the Fano movement and broader Amhara civil society. A local community organizer in Bahir Dar commented, “At a time when drone strikes are claiming lives, there are doubts about whether this dialogue can truly capture the voices of those most affected — the families mourning their loved ones and the farmers displaced from their homes.”

Professor Mesfin defended the Dialogue’s independence, stating, “We are not a mouthpiece for any party. Our mission is to create a platform where every Ethiopian voice, especially from regions like Amhara, can be heard.” Yet, skepticism in the Amhara region persists, particularly as violence escalates and civilian casualties rise.

The WCC’s call for justice, reconciliation, and an immediate ceasefire comes at a critical juncture. Pillay’s urging that “churches and religious communities commit to being voices for justice, reconciliation, peace, and unity” directly addresses the heart of the crisis, where faith and resilience endure amidst devastation.

Meanwhile, the town of Gedeb mourns. “It’s been terrifying lately. The whole population is in fear,” one resident shared, explaining how Easter became a period of mass mourning. “There was nothing that felt like a holiday,” another added, their voice filled with grief.

According to Borkena, approximately 150 civilians were reportedly killed in East Gojjam through drone and artillery attacks in less than two days. The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission has stated it is monitoring the situation, but accountability remains elusive.

The situation currently shows limited signs of de-escalation. Humanitarian needs are increasing, displacement is worsening, and civilians continue to be disproportionately affected by the conflict between government forces and regional militias. The World Council of Churches (WCC) has called for an unconditional ceasefire and inclusive peace, reflecting urgent appeals for an end to bloodshed and suffering on the ground.

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