Title: Renewed violence in Ethiopia: a forgotten conflict
Introduction :
Ethiopia, a country in the Horn of Africa, is facing an alarming increase in violence that is endangering the security of its population. As the war between the Ethiopian army and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) forces entered its third year, the conflict is now spreading to other regions of the country, leading to its share of human rights violations. human rights and forced displacement. Despite warnings from several international organizations, this conflict seems to be largely ignored by the international community. Focus on this forgotten conflict which is ravaging Ethiopia.
1. Increasing hostilities:
Since the signing of the ceasefire agreement in November 2022, armed clashes have not let up in Ethiopia. On the contrary, the security situation in the country is deteriorating alarmingly. The violence has spread beyond the Tigray region, notably affecting the regions of Amhara, South and Oromia. Recent reports from the United Nations and Amnesty International denounce an increase in human rights violations, including massacres, rapes, forced displacements and arbitrary detentions.
2. Actors responsible for the abuses:
Ethiopian government forces and those of the TPLF are widely singled out for their alleged war crimes. However, other actors, such as Eritrean forces and Amhara militias, are also accused of committing serious human rights violations. Despite the commitments made in the peace agreement, Eritrean forces remain present in Tigray and continue their abuses, which weakens the stability of the region. For their part, Amhara militias, which were once allied with the government, have turned against the army, thus increasing tensions in the country.
3. The urgency of an independent investigation:
Faced with this upsurge in violence, NGOs and international organizations are calling for the extension of the mandate of UN investigators in Ethiopia. Indeed, the International Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia has played a crucial role in documenting war crimes and human rights violations in the country. Renewing their mandate would maintain an independent mechanism capable of shedding light on these atrocities and bringing those responsible to justice.
Conclusion :
There is an urgent need to end the international indifference surrounding the conflict in Ethiopia. Civilian populations are suffering terrible suffering and are in urgent need of protection. Renewing the mandate of UN investigators and intensifying diplomatic efforts to sustainably resolve this conflict are essential measures to guarantee stability and peace in Ethiopia. The world can no longer afford to ignore this forgotten conflict that continues to wreak havoc in the Horn of Africa.