By: Amie Sillito / GICJ
The year long conflict in the Tigray region of Ethiopia has reached disastrous proportions according to the United Nations political Chief who addressed the UN Security Council on Monday 8 November 2021. It was clear that the future of Ethiopia is uncertain, attributable to the instability within the Horn of Africa region.
Tensions rose to conflict in the area in November 2020 when the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) attacked a federal army base which culminated in a military offensive being instituted against the rebels. The conflict has resulted in thousands of deaths and the UN Human Rights Office has reported that serious violations of fundamental human rights have taken place on both sides of the conflict. On November 2nd a state of emergency was declared after TPLF troops gained further ground, southwards towards the capital. TPLF troops have strengthened their influence over the state since they joined forces with the Oromo Liberation Army which has enabled both groups to advance towards Addis Ababa.
United Nations officials have been unable to predict how the crisis will unfold over the upcoming weeks and months, however the repercussions of intensifying violence are predicted to cause significant instability to the already politically fragile Horn of Africa. The UN has underscored that the threat of Ethiopia descending into larger-scale civil war is highly probable, which would cause a humanitarian crisis and stall political progression.
The most alarming figure is the absence of humanitarian aid in the Tigray region and aid trucks have not been able to reach Mekelle since the 18th of October due to the air strikes which began on 22 October. UN Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS) flights have also been suspended and fuel shipments have been blocked since August. However, progress can be seen within the political realm, as elections in July returned the Prime Minister’s party to power and safeguarded the democratic progress.
Geneva International Centre for Justice condemns the violence taking place in Ethiopia and calls on the international community to pledge its support to help end the conflict in the region. The human rights violations taking place within Ethiopia are distressing and must be addressed by the new government in order to enhance human rights for all and prevent future conflicts from taking place. The government must take a drastic approach to hold perpetrators on both sides accountable for such abuses as well as commit to implementing mechanisms to secure the future political stability of the country. We implore the Ethiopian government to protect the rule of law and demonstrate its commitment to ensuring social and political stability be enforcing and protecting basic human rights for all.
Justice, Human rights, Geneva, geneva4justice, GICJ, Geneva International Centre For Justice
