Ethnic violence in Konso


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.
PeriodEvent and land administrationDescriptionDate
Pre-1994Independent WoredasAmaro, Burji, Derashe, Konso, and AllePrior to the 1994 ethnic federalism
During and pre-EPRDFSpecial Woreda with Semi-autonomous administrative setupAmaro, Burji, Derashe, and Konso. Special Woredas directly report to SNNR During and pre-EPRDF
During and pre-EPRDFMinorities in Konso and Derashe Special WoredasAlle During and pre-ERDF
During and pre-EPRDFResidents of the Derashe Special WoredaDirasha, Mossiye, Masholle and Kussume, and the Alle as minorityDuring and pre-EPRDF
During and pre-EPRDFResidents of the Konso Special WoredaMajority Konso, and Gewada as minorityDuring and pre-EPRDF
During and pre-EPRDFResidents of the Amaro Special Woredathe Kore ethnic groupDuring and pre-EPRDF
During and pre-EPRDFResidents of the Burji Special Woredathe Burji ethnic grouppost-1994
During EPRDF with ethnic federalismAlle minority sought independenceThe Alle minority wanted to pursue its own Special Woredapost-1994
During EPRDFStart of dispute with removal of Special Woredas as a temporary solutionFormation of Segan Area People's Zone by the ruling SNNPR and the regional party, SEPDM28 March 2011
During EPRDFThe Segan Area Zone incorporated various ethnic groups from various Woredas, including AlleAlle, Burji, Dirasha, Konso, Kore, Kusumie, Mashole and Moseye, and others post-1994
During EPRDFKonso 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 versus the Konsos’ city 2016
post-EPRDFRelease of the Konso prisonersAbiy Ahmed announced the release of political prisoners in Ethiopia2018
post-EPRDFDissociation from the Segan ZoneKonso and Ale's groups split from Segan ZoneNovember 2018
post-EPRDFKonso became an independent ZoneViolence 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 2020
During Prosperity Party rulingAttack in Segan town of KonsoUnidentified militants reportedly attacked a restaurant. 3 people killed and 5 injuredAugust 2021
During Prosperity Party rulingIntercommunal violence in SNNPR70,000 IDPs in Konso2020 to 2021
During 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 2022
During Prosperity Party rulingSegan's revenue officer shot and killedUnidentified militia killed 1 officer while eating dinner at a restaurant26 March 2022
During Prosperity Party rulingSegan's revenue officer shot and killedUnidentified 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 2022
During Prosperity Party rulingCivilians, and other killed in SeganUnidentified armed men from Derashe shot and killed 1 Kebele officer, 1 local militia member and 2 civilians31 March 2022