Title: Massacre of Civilians and illegally Detained Peace Delegates in Dacawalay, Harshin District , Somali Region State, Ethiopia by Liyuu Police
Date Incident: December 25, 2024
Date of Report: December 26, 2024
Executive Summary
This report documents the massacre of civilians and the illegal detention and killing of peace delegates in Dacawalay, Harshin District, Somali Regional State of Ethiopia, on December 25, 2024. The attack was perpetrated by the Liyuu Police, a paramilitary force under the direct control of the Somali Regional State government, led by President Mustafe Cagjar. The violence resulted in the deaths of hundreds of civilians, including peace delegates, elders, and community leaders, while many others were injured. In addition to the killings, homes were set on fire, causing widespread displacement and leaving families without shelter or basic necessities.
This incident constitutes a severe violation of both international human rights law and the Ethiopian constitution, particularly regarding the right to life, protection from violence, and protection of civilian property. The urgency of humanitarian intervention is critical. The international community, including the United Nations and other relevant NGOs, must act swiftly to support the victims and hold perpetrators accountable.
Background
Location:
Dacawalay, Harshin District, Somali Regional State, Ethiopia
Population:
Predominantly inhabited by the ISAQ subclan ARAB, a community with a history of peaceful coexistence and involvement in regional reconciliation efforts.
Context:
The Somali Regional State has experienced ongoing ethnic and political tensions, often exacerbated by the Liyuu Police, a paramilitary force known for
its involvement in human rights abuses, including extrajudicial killings, arbitrary detention, and the destruction of civilian property. The attack in Dacawalay occurred during a peace meeting, a time when the community was actively working towards resolving longstanding tensions in the region. This underscores the gravity of the attack, which appears to have been a targeted effort to disrupt peace efforts and further escalate the violence in the region.
Incident Overview Timeline of Events:
• Early morning of December 25, 2024: Liyuu Police forces stormed
Dacawalay during a scheduled peace delegation meeting aimed at de- escalating tensions.
• Indiscriminate violence: Eyewitnesses reported that Liyuu Police opened fire on civilians and peace delegates, targeting men, women, and children alike, while also executing several of the detained peace delegates.
• Destruction of homes: As the violence unfolded, Liyuu Police forces set fire to numerous homes, resulting in widespread destruction and leaving many families homeless.
Casualties and Damage:
• Confirmed deaths: Hundreds of civilians, including peace delegates, elders, and local community leaders, were killed.
• Injuries: Numerous individuals were injured in the attack, many of whom require immediate medical attention. Many of the injured suffer from gunshot wounds, burns, and severe trauma.
• Displacement: Thousands of individuals have been displaced, with entire neighborhoods of Dacawalay reduced to ashes. These individuals now face a dire humanitarian crisis, lacking shelter, food, and access to clean water.
Methods Employed:
• Weapons used: Firearms, heavy weaponry, and other military-grade equipment were used in the attack.
• Tactics: The use of summary executions, indiscriminate gunfire, and targeted arson of civilian homes suggest a deliberate strategy to instill fear and terrorize the population.
Evidence and Testimonies Eye Witness Accounts:
Survivors have provided testimony regarding the attack, one anonymous survivor reported
“The Liyuu Police stormed the peace meeting and opened fire without warning. They killed everyone in their way and then set fire to our homes, leaving us with nothing. We had no chance to escape. It was a massacre.”
Visual Evidence:
Photographic and video evidence confirms the scale of the destruction and brutality of the attack. Images and videos show burned homes, charred bodies, and survivors recounting their experiences. These materials have been shared with international human rights organizations for further verification.
Independent Reports:
Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have confirmed the use of excessive force by Liyuu Police and corroborated reports of targeted violence against civilians, including peace delegates. These organizations are in the process of conducting independent investigations.
Accountability and Responsibility Identified Perpetrators
Senior Liyuu Police officers, including Commander Gafaydhe, and other operatives are directly implicated in the massacre. The attack appears to have been carried out under the orders of Somali Regional State President Mustafe Cagjar, indicating that high-ranking regional officials may be complicit in these crimes.
Chain of Command:
The Liyuu Police, which operates under the direct authority of the Somali
Regional State government, are a key instrument of state power. Their actions in Dacawalay were carried out with apparent disregard for human rights and the protection of civilians.
Humanitarian Impact
Displacement:
Approximately thousands of individuals have been displaced due to the destruction of homes. They are in urgent need of shelter, food, water, and medical care. Many have been forced to flee into nearby forests and other areas of the district, facing exposure to harsh conditions.
Immediate Needs:
• Shelter: Thousands of people have lost their homes and are currently without safe shelter.
• Healthcare: Many survivors are critically injured and require urgent medical attention, including treatment for gunshot wounds, burns, and psychological trauma.
• Food and Water: With homes destroyed and livelihoods disrupted, there is an immediate need for food, clean water, and other essential supplies.
• Psychosocial Support: Survivors, particularly women and children, are suffering from deep psychological trauma due to the violence and loss of loved ones. Immediate psychosocial support services are required.
Legal Implications Human Rights Violations:
This attack constitutes clear violations of international human rights law,
including:
• The right to life (Article 6 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights).
• The prohibition of torture and inhumane treatment (Article 7 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights).
• The protection of civilian property during times of conflict (Geneva
Conventions, Additional Protocol I).
Furthermore, the actions of the Liyuu Police and regional authorities contravene Ethiopian constitutional guarantees of protection from unlawful violence and arbitrary detention.
Call to Action
The scale of violence in Dacawalay demands urgent international attention. The United Nations, alongside relevant NGOs, must immediately deploy humanitarian assistance to support the displaced and injured individuals. Additionally, an independent investigation into the massacre must be launched, with the aim of ensuring accountability for the perpetrators, including senior officials in the Somali Regional State.
We call on the Federal Government of Ethiopia to take immediate action to:
• Investigate the incident and hold those responsible accountable.
• Provide support to the victims and displaced populations.
• Ensure that such atrocities do not occur again.
The international community must stand in solidarity with the victims, providing necessary humanitarian aid and pressuring Ethiopian authorities to ensure justice for the victims of Dacawalay.
Conclusion
The massacre in Dacawalay on December 25, 2024, is a grave violation of human rights and represents a deliberate attack on innocent civilians by a state security force. The Liyuu Police, acting under the authority of the Somali Regional State, must be held accountable for their actions. Immediate humanitarian assistance and international pressure are required to support the victims and prevent further atrocities.
