The strife between Ethiopia’s military and local militiamen in the Amhara region has claimed the lives of at least 183 individuals, according to a statement from the UN human rights office on Tuesday. This report provides the most comprehensive and independent death toll to date in the ongoing conflict, now spanning a month.
As tensions escalate, the government declared a state of emergency in response to the violence, resulting in the arrest of over 1,000 people nationwide. Among those detained are numerous young individuals of ethnic Amhara origin, the UN revealed.
Despite requests for comment, Ethiopia’s government spokesperson has yet to issue a response.
The root of this conflict lies in accusations hurled by many in the Amhara region, Ethiopia’s second most populous area, who allege that the government is actively undermining their security. These claims have been denied by the government.
While government forces initially lost control of major towns and cities to the militiamen, they managed to retake these areas earlier this month. However, the conflict continues to persist.
The UN statement urged all parties involved to cease killings, violations, and abuses, as federal forces regain control of specific towns and Fano militias reportedly withdraw to rural zones.
Fresh clashes erupted in Debre Tabor on Sunday, resulting in the death of at least four individuals, as reported by two anonymous doctors.
The violence erupted approximately one week after Ethiopia’s military had entered the town, according to one of the doctors. Both medical professionals chose to remain unnamed for safety concerns.
One of the doctors witnessed the aftermath of the clashes, reporting four fatalities and numerous injuries. He noted that his father-in-law was among those wounded, shot in the chest by an unidentified assailant near his residence.
The other doctor confirmed at least seven casualties, including three civilians and four police officers who fought alongside the military.
Earlier in August, Ethiopia’s military clashed with a militia group in the Amhara region, escalating an ongoing feud between these former allies. A doctor estimated that the clashes had already resulted in more than a dozen injuries.
Fano, a militia without a formal command structure, once supported federal troops during a two-year civil conflict in the neighboring Tigray region, which concluded last November. However, tensions have risen due to alleged negligence by the national government towards Amhara’s security concerns.
In a rare public address, Deputy Prime Minister Demeke Mekonnen voiced his concerns over the deteriorating security situation in various parts of the Amhara region. In a message posted on his Facebook page, he emphasized the need for peaceful dialogue, saying, “We are at a pivotal moment where acknowledging the importance of ‘peace for preserving everything’ is imperative.”
In the midst of ongoing conflicts across Africa, it’s undeniable that bad news remains an integral part of the world’s narrative, even as we yearn for a respite from the distressing updates.
