The conflict in Konso is part of a series of ethnic-based violence in Ethiopia. UN OCHA reported that its Early warning department of SNNPR categorized Konso as a priority hot spot area. Repeated conflict and the issue of adverse weather exacerbated the existing humanitarian crisis in the Zone. Interpersonal ethnic violence are deepening into serious human rights violations and suffering, with the ethnic federalism system that drew formal administrative divisions with regional boundaries falling along ethnic lines.
Background and events of the Konso conflict This is the background for some southern ethnic habitation since the 1990s and the timeline of the Konso conflict.
+ Period Event and land administration Description DatePre-1994Independent WoredasAmaro, Burji, Derashe, Konso, and AllePrior to the 1994 ethnic federalismDuring and pre-EPRDFSpecial Woreda with Semi-autonomous administrative setupAmaro, Burji, Derashe, and Konso. Special Woredas directly report to SNNR (not to Zone)During and pre-EPRDFDuring and pre-EPRDFMinorities in Konso and Derashe Special WoredasAlle (also known as Dhobasse in Derashe, or Gewada in Konso)During and pre-ERDFDuring and pre-EPRDFResidents of the Derashe Special WoredaDirasha, Mossiye, Masholle and Kussume, and the Alle (Dhobasse) as minorityDuring and pre-EPRDFDuring and pre-EPRDFResidents of the Konso Special WoredaMajority Konso, and Gewada (Alle) as minority During and pre-EPRDFDuring and pre-EPRDFResidents of the Amaro Special Woredathe Kore ethnic groupDuring and pre-EPRDFDuring and pre-EPRDFResidents of the Burji Special Woredathe Burji ethnic grouppost-1994During EPRDF with ethnic federalismAlle minority sought independenceThe Alle minority wanted to pursue its own Special Woredapost-1994During EPRDF Start of dispute with removal of Special Woredas as a temporary solution Formation of Segan Area People's Zone by the ruling SNNPR and the regional party, SEPDM28 March 2011During EPRDF The Segan Area Zone incorporated various ethnic groups from various Woredas, including AlleAlle, Burji, Dirasha, Konso (Xonsita), Kore, Kusumie, Mashole and Moseye, and others (Oromo, Welayta, Amhara, Gurage)post-1994During EPRDF Konso protest and imprisonmentResistance by the Konso population and movement to establish Konso Zone. Other issues: dispute over a decision to keep Gumade as Zone capital city City of Segan's (Gumade) versus the Konsos’ city (Karat)2016 post-EPRDF Release of the Konso prisonersAbiy Ahmed announced the release of political prisoners in Ethiopia2018post-EPRDF Dissociation from the Segan Zone Konso and Ale's groups split from Segan Zone November 2018post-EPRDF Konso became an independent Zone Violence triggered due to administrative border and leadership disputes. 66 people killed in 17 Kebeles. 39 people injured with more than 130,000 IDPs, and 137 people arrested.2018 to November 2020During Prosperity Party ruling Attack in Segan town of KonsoUnidentified militants reportedly attacked a restaurant. 3 people killed and 5 injured August 2021During Prosperity Party rulingIntercommunal violence in SNNPR70,000 IDPs in Konso2020 to 2021During Prosperity Party rulingKillings with disputed agricultural landUnidentified militia clashed with Konso ethnic militia & SNNPR special forces in Dimaya, Konso Zone resulted in unknown number of fatalities. Dimaya is border between Alle and Konso special Woredas26 March 2022During Prosperity Party rulingSegan's revenue officer shot and killed Unidentified militia killed 1 officer while eating dinner at a restaurant26 March 2022During Prosperity Party rulingSegan's revenue officer shot and killed Unidentified armed men from Alle killed 9 and injured 13 people in Dimiya, Segen, and Kolme cluster areas in Konso zone. The gun men burned down several homes27 March 2022During Prosperity Party rulingCivilians, and other killed in SeganUnidentified armed men from Derashe shot and killed 1 Kebele officer, 1 local militia member and 2 civilians 31 March 2022
See also Human rights in Ethiopia Ethnic violence against Amaro Koore Democratic backsliding in Ethiopia Gambela massacre
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