As violence escalates and thousands are displaced, the Oromo Sisterhood Institute issues a desperate plea: silence is complicity, and action cannot wait.

—

In the quiet villages of Western Oromia, a crisis of staggering proportions has been unfolding for years. But in recent weeks, the violence has reached a terrifying crescendo. The Oromo Sisterhood Institute (OSI) has issued an urgent condemnation of the escalating attacks against civilians in the Wallagga region—a humanitarian catastrophe that has displaced thousands, claimed countless lives, and left communities living in a state of paralyzing fear.

The areas of Giddaa Ayyaanaa and Angar Guutee have borne the brunt of the violence. According to local reports, families have been forced to flee their homes, leaving behind everything they have ever known. Civilians have reportedly been killed while simply traveling, while others have been murdered in their own homes—a brutal reminder that no place is safe.

The Oromo Sisterhood Institute, a leading voice for women’s rights and community protection, is sounding the alarm: the international community cannot afford to look away.

A Crisis of Accountability

While many attacks have been attributed to the Fano armed group, serious concerns have also been raised regarding the role of state actors and the Ethiopian government’s failure to adequately protect affected communities. The government’s apparent inaction raises deeply troubling questions about the protection of civilians and the rule of law.

OSI insists that these serious allegations warrant independent investigations to establish the facts, ensure accountability, and bring those responsible for abuses against civilians to justice.

“Western Oromia is widely recognized as an area of significant political and social importance,” the Institute states. “The continued violence threatens not only the security and well-being of local residents but also the stability of the broader region.”

The ongoing displacement of civilians and destruction of communities have both immediate and long-term humanitarian consequences. Families are being torn apart, children are being denied their futures, and an entire region is being pushed to the brink.

A Call to Action: Silence Is Not an Option

In the face of such unimaginable suffering, the Oromo Sisterhood Institute is issuing a powerful call to action. The message is clear and uncompromising: silence is not an option.

“We urge community members, advocates, civil society organizations, faith leaders, youth, women, and members of the diaspora to stand up for civilian protection, speak out against human rights violations, and support affected families and communities.”

The Institute is calling for:

· Strengthened advocacy and documentation of human rights violations through credible channels.

· Immediate humanitarian assistance for displaced families, whose basic needs remain unmet.

· Local, national, and international awareness campaigns to shine a spotlight on this unfolding tragedy.

· Unity and collective action to amplify the voices of victims, advance accountability, and contribute to the pursuit of justice and lasting peace.

Every Community Deserves Safety

The Oromo Sisterhood Institute’s message is rooted in a fundamental belief: every community has the right to live in safety, dignity, and freedom from violence. This is not a partisan issue; it is a human issue.

The Institute is calling upon international institutions, humanitarian organizations, and global human rights bodies to closely monitor the situation in Western Oromia and take meaningful action to ensure the protection of civilians and the prevention of further atrocities.

“We stand in solidarity with all victims of violence and their families,” OSI declares. “We call for an immediate end to attacks against civilians, independent and transparent investigations into reported abuses, humanitarian assistance for affected communities, and concrete measures to ensure lasting peace, justice, accountability, and respect for human rights in the region.”

The Cost of Inaction

As the violence continues to escalate, the world faces a choice: to act or to remain silent. The Oromo Sisterhood Institute has made its position unequivocally clear.

“We must not remain silent,” the statement concludes. “The lives, dignity, and security of innocent civilians depend on immediate attention and action.”

The people of Western Oromia are not just statistics; they are mothers, fathers, children, and communities whose lives hang in the balance. Their cries for help must not go unanswered. The time for action is now—before more lives are lost, more families are displaced, and more communities are destroyed.

The Oromo Sisterhood Institute calls upon the international community, human rights organizations, policymakers, and members of the diaspora to recognize the seriousness of the situation and to support efforts aimed at protecting civilians, preventing further displacement, and promoting accountability for human rights violations.

The world must not remain silent. The time to act is now.

—

The Oromo Sisterhood Institute (OSI) is a civil society organization dedicated to promoting the rights, dignity, and well-being of Oromo women and communities. Through advocacy, awareness, and collective action, OSI works to amplify the voices of the marginalized and advance justice and lasting peace.

#UNHumanRightsCouncil#Oromia#Wallagga#Justice#HumanRights