Ethiopians have become all-too-inured to the ghastly of the consequences of the deadly internecine strife that have been racking Ethiopia in the past six years since the administration of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD) came to office. However, the death of scores of individuals in the northern, eastern and western Gojjam zones of the Amhara regional state allegedly at the hands of government security forces in January seems to have shaken them out of this apathy. The Amhara region has witnessed some of the most horrendous atrocities during the tenure of Prime Minister Abiy, particularly after the imposition of a state of emergency in August 2023 following clashes between the Fano, an irregular force that is composed of volunteer militiamen from the local populace, began to clash with units of the Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF) and took control of some towns in the region. The recent killings serve as a stark reminder of the heavy toll that armed conflicts take on the nation and its people.
The government has denied reports by the local and international mediaas well as the state-appointed Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) accusing its forces of committing the extrajudicial execution of civilians “for being members of or supporting the Fano”. Its characterization of the killingsas a necessary and purely self-defensive action taken by the ENDF to ward off attacks by the Fanohas strained credulity given the availability of voluminous bona fide information apparently confirming the death of innocent civilians. The government’s less-than-stellar track record in affording protection to civilians caught up in armed conflicts renders its version of the account of events somewhat suspect.
The cycle of violence that has gripped not only the Amhara region but most other regional states of Ethiopia as well has led to a grave humanitarian crisis, necessitating the urgent need to afford civilians protection. First and foremost, it is crucial to recognize that civilians, including women and children, are often caught in the crossfire of conflicts, resulting in wanton killings, physical and psychological trauma, and widespread displacement. The lack of protection has exacerbated their vulnerability, leaving them at risk of human rights abuses, including violence, sexual assault, and recruitment into armed groups. This underscores the exigency to prioritize their safety and security during such tumultuous times. The breakdown of law and order during the conflicts has inevitably created a security vacuum in which basic rights and protections are disregarded. This has had severe repercussions for civilians, including the denial of access to essential services such as healthcare, education, and food supplies. Ensuring their protection is therefore imperative to safeguarding their fundamental rights and preserving their dignity amidst the chaos and instability.
As a signatory to various international treaties and conventions, Ethiopia, has legal obligations to afford civilians protection during conflicts. The country is bound by the Geneva Conventions and their Additional Protocols, which outline the responsibilities of warring parties to protect civilians and non-combatants during armed conflicts, as well as other international instruments. that set out different prohibitions including the killing, torture, inhuman and degrading treatment of civilians and the prevention of humanitarian access to provide assistance to affected populations in times of conflict. They also oblige all the actors in a conflict to ensure that the rights to food, water, health, housing, and education are met even during armed conflicts. Ethiopia’s own legal framework, including its constitution and domestic laws, incorporates principles that align with such international humanitarian laws and human rights principles. These laws are designed to safeguard the rights and safety of all individuals, irrespective of their circumstances, and ensure that appropriate measures are taken to shield civilians from the adverse effects of conflicts.
As the suffering of defenseless civilians in the ongoing conflict in the Amhara region assumes catastrophic proportions, it is crucial to hold the perpetrators of atrocities, particularly state actors, accountable to the fullest extent of the law. Ensuring accountability is a matter of justice for the innocent victims and their families. It also serves as a deterrent, discouraging future violations and sending a clear message that there can be no impunity for such egregious acts. It further helps to prevent cycles of revenge and retaliation, fostering reconciliation, healing and long-term stability in the region. While upholding accountability is undoubtedly vital to bring the untold misery of the victims of the violence to an end, the only lasting solution is to engage in a peaceful dialogue and implement the accord it produces in good faith. In the meantime the actions of all the protagonists in the conflict must always be guided by the exigency of assuring civilian protection as an integral part of efforts to address the crisis in the Amhara region and beyond.
