It is hardly a pleasure to revisit here a painful topic that we have dwelt on before, but the circumstances call for it. As conflicts continue to wreak havoc on large swathes of Ethiopia, innocent civilians caught up in the violence are perishing and left traumatized in unconscionably high numbers. Although Ethiopia has been racked by one form of violence or another throughout its history, there has been a noticeable uptick in its frequency and viciousness ever since Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD) came to power in April 2018. Since his tenure began, hundreds of thousands have been killed with millions more uprooted from their homes and left psychologically devastated in the wake of a deadly civil war as well as insurgencies and targeted attacks in almost all of the country’s regional states. Sadly, the regularity with which the death and destruction wrought by the violence is occurring has meant it is no longer eliciting the horrified reaction it rightly should.
The recent killing of civilians in drone attacks in the restive Amhara Regional State, which has been under a state of emergency for the past eight months, underscores the grave importance of sparing defenseless compatriots from the ravages of conflicts. Minimizing civilian casualties in drone attacks in Ethiopia is an imperative that must be taken seriously by the Ethiopian government. The use of drones in military operations has become increasingly common due to their precision and ability to strike targets with reduced risk to one’s own forces. However, the potential for civilian casualties in drone attacks is a significant ethical concern that cannot be ignored.
A key reason to avert civilian casualties in drone attacks is the moral imperative to protect innocent lives. Civilians, who have no involvement in the conflict, should not become collateral damage in military operations. The principle of distinction, which is a fundamental tenet of international humanitarian law, requires the parties to a conflict to distinguish between military targets and civilians at all times. Failing to uphold this principle by causing civilian casualties in drone attacks would be a violation of ethical standards and human rights. Moreover, civilian casualties entail devastating consequences for the affected individuals and their communities. The loss of innocent lives engenders long-lasting trauma, grief, and resentment among the civilian population. In conflicts where drone attacks are used, the risk of civilian harm is often exacerbated by the difficulty in accurately identifying targets from the air, especially in densely populated areas. This underscores the importance of taking all necessary precautions to prevent civilian casualties and minimize harm to non-combatants.
Averting civilian harm in drone attacks is furthermore essential for upholding legal and moral obligations under international law. The principles of proportionality and necessity require that any use of force in armed conflict must be proportionate to the military advantage sought and necessary to achieve legitimate military objectives. Deliberate or reckless targeting of civilians violates these legal standards and constitutes the commission of war crimes. The strategic implications of civilian casualties in drone attacks must also be considered. Public perception, both domestically and internationally, plays a crucial role in shaping the outcomes of military campaigns and conflicts. Incidents of civilian harm in drone strikes generate negative media coverage, public outrage, and diplomatic repercussions that erode the reputation and legitimacy of the government. As such it is crucial to conduct drone operations with the utmost care and caution to prevent civilian casualties and mitigate the risk of unintended harm.
The obligation to avert civilian casualties in drone attacks in Ethiopia is multifaceted and underscores the various moral, ethical, legal, humanitarian, and strategic considerations at stake. Prioritizing the protection of civilians in armed conflict is not only a moral duty but also a strategic imperative for promoting long-term stability, peace, and security in the country. The government must discharge the responsibility it bears under both domestic and international laws to protect innocent lives.
Ultimately, working toward sustainable peace and reconciliation in the country is the only feasible way out.
