The Oromo Youth (Qeerroo) Union Condemns Fano Ximdoo as a Terrorist Group, Calls for Protection of Civilians
A Strong Statement Against Ongoing Atrocities Targeting Oromo Communities in Western Oromia
By Oromian News Agency
(ONA, August 23, 2026) The Gamtaa Qeerroo Dargaggoota Oromoo (GQDO) —also known as the Oromo Youth (Qeerroo) Union (OYQU) —issued a powerful and urgent statement demanding immediate action to protect civilians in Oromia. The union has labeled the Fano Ximdoo group as a terrorist organization, holding it responsible for a series of escalating attacks against innocent Oromo communities, particularly in the East and Horro Guduru Wallagga zones.
The GQDO’s statement serves as a stark warning: “Attacks targeting civilians, the looting and destruction of property, and the use of force to spread fear are acts of terrorism” . The union declared that the Fano Ximdoo group is “unequivocally a terrorist group” and called on the federal and regional governments to take decisive legal action to dismantle it and bring its perpetrators to justice.
The Escalating Crisis in Wallagga
The statement points to a disturbing pattern of violence. According to the GQDO, Fano Ximdoo and allied armed groups have been systematically targeting civilians in the East Wallagga and Horro Guduru Wallagga zones. The union highlighted the massacre of innocent civilians on August 19, 2026, in the Gida Ayana district, specifically in areas like Angar Guttee, Kiramu, and Ebantu. The attacks involved “the killing of civilians, the looting and burning of businesses and other property, the looting of banks and other civilian institutions, and the targeting of bank employees and officials, some of whom were killed” .
This is not an isolated incident but part of a broader, ongoing campaign of terror. The GQDO noted that “similar attacks have been repeatedly committed against our people in these areas, and they continue to occur” . The attacks are designed to “spread fear and chaos within society” and are “unacceptable and cannot be ignored” .
A Terrorist Structure with Foreign Ties
The GQDO’s statement goes further, claiming that Fano Ximdoo is not a spontaneous or localized militia but part of an organized network with significant foreign backing. They point to reports of a meeting in Port Sudan in June 2026, where the group allegedly coordinated with the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) and other armed factions to expand its operations, particularly in western Oromia.
The GQDO also accused Eritrea, Sudan, and Egypt of involvement, alleging that these nations are “playing a facilitating role” in the group’s operations and “cooperating with the group.” The union argued that such foreign involvement is a “violation of Ethiopia’s sovereignty” and poses a serious threat to its stability .
A Call to Action: Protect Civilians and Deliver Justice
The GQDO’s message is unequivocal: the federal and regional governments must act now. They have demanded that the government “should give special attention to the issue of Fano Ximdoo and groups affiliated with it to provide protection to the people in the affected regions” . The union has also called for the government to “take legal steps to bring those responsible for these crimes to justice.”
The group emphasized that “civilians who are being harmed must not be forgotten” and that all Ethiopian institutions must “work to bring peace and security to the Oromo people” . In a powerful declaration, the union stated: “We will stand with our people who are being harmed. We will not be deterred by anyone.”
Key Demands of the GQDO:
- Immediate Protection: Provide immediate security and protection to civilians in the affected zones, especially in East Wallagga and Horro Guduru Wallagga.
- Justice and Accountability: Identify and bring all perpetrators of the attacks to justice in accordance with Ethiopian law.
- Designate as Terrorist: Officially designate Fano Ximdoo and its affiliates as a terrorist organization under Ethiopian law.
- Investigate Foreign Links: Investigate and hold accountable all foreign actors and networks supporting these groups.
- Community Support: Provide urgent humanitarian and psychological support to affected families and communities.
- Stop Media Propaganda: Condemn media outlets and social media users who glorify these acts of terrorism or spread propaganda that fuels the violence.
Conclusion: A People Will Not Be Silenced
The GQDO’s statement is a testament to the resilience and determination of the Oromo people in the face of brutality. It is a demand for justice, a call for protection, and a refusal to accept the normalization of violence against civilians.
As the union declared: “Attacking civilians is terrorism.” The Oromo Youth Union has drawn a clear line in the sand, warning that “the lives of innocent civilians who are being killed must be protected, and the perpetrators of these crimes must face justice.”
The message from the Qeerroo is clear: the violence must stop, and those responsible will be held accountable.
Injifannoon Ummata Oromoo!
Eegumsi Ummata Sivilii Dursa Argachuu Qaba!
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