Ethiopia fails to prevent genocide against Tigrayans

The conflict in Tigray, Ethiopia, which occurred from 2020 to 2022, resulted in the deaths of over 200,000 soldiers and nearly 400,000 civilians. Despite the signing of a peace agreement in November 2022, the repercussions of the conflict, including a severe human-made famine, continue to impact many Tigrayans. Reports indicate that the famine and humanitarian crises stemming from the conflict are dire, with notable numbers of people still suffering from the effects. Internal and external observations emphasized the necessity of accountability for war crimes committed during the conflict, particularly against the Tigrayan population. Furthermore, allegations emerged regarding gross human rights violations, with extensive evidence suggesting that the Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF), alongside allied forces, committed significant atrocities, including acts that may qualify as genocide. Victims’ testimonies highlighted a planned strategy of ethnic cleansing, which manifested in the form of sexual violence against women, murder, and life-threatening actions aimed at the Tigrayan community. The regional and international responses have been criticized as inadequate, with a noted unwillingness from the West to pursue thorough investigations into these alleged crimes. This lack of action raises questions regarding the commitment to transitional justice. As the investigation efforts, including the International Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia (ICHREE), were curtailed, the need for accountability becomes increasingly urgent. The Biden administration, for instance, declared that a ‘pattern of gross violations of human rights’ had ceased, despite mounting evidence suggesting the contrary. This assertion aligns with observed governmental reluctance to genuinely acknowledge and address the past atrocities strategically. Given the obligations set forth by the 1948 Genocide Convention, the Ethiopian government is required to address such crimes decisively. However, it appears that the Ethiopian authorities have not taken the necessary actions to prevent ongoing violations or to prosecute individuals responsible for the atrocities committed during the conflict. In light of these developments, it is crucial that international powers reconsider their diplomatic and economic engagements with Ethiopia until concrete commitments to accountability and reparations for the victims are addressed. The future peace and stability within the region depend on addressing these historical injustices and ensuring such occurrences do not happen again.