The Oromo and other non-Abyssinian peoples of Ethiopia claim they have been colonised and oppressed since the incorporation of their territory into present day Ethiopia at the end of the 19th century The nationalist movements among these peoples, especially the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF), contributed alongside the liberation fronts from Tigray and Eritrea, to the downfall of the communist military dictatorship of the Derg, in 1991. The OLF and other nationality-based political bodies were initially part of the transitional Ethiopian government in 1991. They were barred from effective power sharing, despite the OLF being the most popular and established party among the 25-30 million Oromo, at least 40% of the population of Ethiopia. They withdrew from the June 1992 elections because of ‘widespread arrest and intimidation of candidates’. OLF offices were then attacked and staff killed. OLF troops, encamped away from towns for the elections, were attacked and overrun, despite international guarantees for their safety. Between 20,000 and 45,000 suspected OLF supporters were detained in harsh conditions and hundreds killed.

For more details:Genocide against the Oromo people of Ethiopia – Summary Report