Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – (African Boulevard News) – The humanitarian crisis in Tigray continues to escalate despite a peace deal signed in November 2020. According to Human Rights Watch, forces in Ethiopia’s Amhara region are still engaged in a brutal campaign of “ethnic cleansing,” targeting Tigrayans and other ethnic minorities.
The conflict broke out in November 2020 between the Tigray People’s Liberation Front and the Ethiopian federal government, leading to a weeks-long military operation in the region. Though Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed declared an end to the fighting in late November 2020, the situation has not improved.
The Human Rights Watch report alleges that ethnic Tigrayans and other minorities in Amhara are being forcibly removed from their homes and properties. Witnesses reported seeing their homes burned to ashes and their possessions destroyed before being forced to flee to neighboring regions.
According to Laetitia Bader, the Horn of Africa director for Human Rights Watch, “This is ethnic cleansing. The Ethiopian government and the Amhara regional authorities have taken no action to stop it. They are actively participating in the violations.”
The report also highlights the role of armed militias in the conflict, who are responsible for committing a range of human rights abuses against civilians, including killings, sexual violence, and looting. The Ethiopian army is also accused of being complicit in these crimes.
The humanitarian situation in Tigray remains dire, with a severe shortage of food, water, and medical supplies. The fighting has displaced hundreds of thousands of people and left many in desperate need of assistance.
Despite international pressure to end the conflict and allow aid to reach those in need, the Ethiopian government has been slow to act. In addition, the government has restricted access to the region for journalists, aid workers, and human rights investigators.
The UN has warned that the situation in Tigray could escalate into a full-blown famine, calling for urgent action to address the crisis. The Ethiopian government must take immediate steps to protect civilians and allow humanitarian aid into the region.
In conclusion, the Ethiopian government must take urgent action to protect civilians and prevent further escalation of the conflict in Tigray. The international community must also play a role in holding those responsible for human rights abuses accountable and ensuring that aid reaches those in need. Only then can there be hope for peace and stability in the region.
