This archive report was first published on 16 July 2020.
Shashamene, a Town in Ethiopia's Oromia Region, Bears the Brunt of Ethnic Unrest ¶
Shashamene, a fast-growing town in Ethiopia's Oromia region, has been at the epicenter of ethnic unrest that has left destruction in its wake. The town, known for its large community of Rastafarians, has been a hub of trade and commerce in the Rift Valley.
However, the recent violence has targeted businesses and properties owned by non-Oromos, leaving many feeling unwelcome in their own homes. Girma, a resident of Shashamene, recounted how his school was destroyed by a mob of Oromo youths, and how he narrowly escaped being killed if he had tried to intervene.
"If you leave them to do whatever they want, they don't touch you. But if you try and save your place and property, they'll come to you," Girma said, asking to be identified only by his first name.
The unrest was sparked by the murder of Hachalu Hundessa, a pop star beloved by Oromos for giving voice to deep-rooted feelings of political and economic marginalisation. In the days that followed, between 179 and 239 people were killed due to inter-ethnic violence or the use of lethal force by police and soldiers against demonstrators.
However, the true extent of the devastation is not captured by these numbers. Hundreds of homes, schools, hotels, and businesses owned by non-Oromos were targeted for destruction by mobs in Shashamene and other towns across Oromia.
"Our research so far suggests that the property damage has been worse than in previous bouts of unrest," said Laetitia Bader of Human Rights Watch.
For non-Oromo victims, the damage is a stark reminder that they may no longer be welcome in places they have long called home. Almaz Morgan Chapman, a hotel owner who lost her business to the violence, said, "With the strategy that they're using, to burn the key places... I don't know if they intend for people to come back."
As the town struggles to come to terms with the destruction, residents are left to wonder if they will ever be able to rebuild and move forward.
