MEKELE, ETHIOPIA (HRNW) — Human Rights Watch has urged the African Union to intensify diplomatic efforts to prevent renewed conflict in Ethiopia’s Tigray region, warning that rising military tensions could once again expose civilians to devastating human-rights abuses.
In a September 9 dispatch, Human Rights Watch said tensions between Ethiopia’s federal government and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front have increased amid disputes over implementation of the November 2022 Pretoria Cessation of Hostilities Agreement.
The organization reported that heavy fighting erupted in August near Ethiopia’s border with Sudan, with reports of artillery and drone strikes.
Human Rights Watch said unresolved disputes over contested territory, the return of displaced people and disarmament continue to threaten the peace agreement. It also raised concerns about allegations of military mobilization and abuses against civilians.
The organization said previous conflict in Tigray resulted in enormous civilian suffering and serious abuses, making early diplomatic intervention particularly important.
Human Rights Watch is calling on the African Union to strengthen engagement with Ethiopia’s federal government and the TPLF, review whether the existing mediation process remains effective and increase public reporting on compliance with the peace agreement.
The organization also urged the AU to investigate allegations of renewed recruitment and other abuses and to use its early-warning mechanisms to prevent tensions from escalating into another major conflict.
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Disclaimer:
This report is based on Human Rights Watch’s September 9 assessment and publicly available information. HRNW does not independently verify every allegation and presents the findings for public-interest journalism and human-rights awareness.
