In Ethiopia, abuses continue in Tigray, particularly against women, despite the signing of a peace agreement

It’s a low-profile conflict. Despite the end of fighting between Ethiopia and rebels in the northern Tigray province, which left thousands dead and displaced more than two million people, and after the signing of an agreement peace in November 2022, the UN is concerned about the continuation of abuses against civilian populations. “Atrocities, war crimes and crimes against humanity continue to be committed in the country”according to a group of United Nations experts.

“We have evidence that women have suffered sexual violence”relates Haimanot Ashenafi, of the NGO Amnesty International, and author of a report on these atrocities. “More than three months after the signing of the peace agreement, some women were raped by armed gangs,” notably Eritrean troops, who came to support the Ethiopian army, and members of militias from the neighboring Amhara region, according to the UN commission of inquiry on human rights in Ethiopia.

“Women have become sex slaves, and we also have evidence of extrajudicial executions of civilians.”

Haimanot Ashenafi, Amnesty International

at franceinfo

These war crimes are committed amid general indifference, according to Haimanot Ashenafi. “Attention has diminished. It has even disappearedshe laments. Today, it is crucial that we get international attention on what is happening in Ethiopia. We need a transparent international justice mechanism, because the federal government is accused of these crimes.”

The Commission of Inquiry on Human Rights in Ethiopia accuses the Ethiopian government of “failed to effectively prevent or investigate violations” and to have “on the contrary launched a consultation process on justice marred by irregularities, during which the victims were forgotten.” The UN must renew the mandate of this commission at the beginning of October 2023. But Ethiopia is mobilizing its African, Russian and Chinese allies to obtain its disappearance.