Ethiopia has borne a significant economic burden due to the conflict in the Amhara region, amounting to over 15 billion birr.
The genesis of the conflict traces back to April 2023 when tensions escalated following the federal government’s decision to reorganize regional special forces.
A regional dispute gradually spiraled into a full-fledged war, prompting the former state government to formally request federal intervention, citing its inability to enforce state security laws.
In response to the escalating crisis, the House of People’s Representatives declared a state of emergency in the Amhara region in July 2023, initially for six months.
Subsequently, the decree was extended for an additional four months, underscoring the severity and prolonged nature of the conflict.
Desalegn Tassew, the Head of the Regional Peace and Security Bureau and Deputy Head of the Command Post, lamented the extensive destruction caused by the ongoing conflict in the region, estimating property losses exceeding 15 billion birr.
Despite the grim situation, he emphasized the regional government’s commitment to seeking peaceful resolutions to the underlying issues.
Addressing concerns about government security forces allegedly targeting innocent civilians, Desalegn Tassew reassured that operations are conducted with utmost care to avoid harm to non-combatants.
Conversely, international human rights watchdog Amnesty International accused Ethiopian Defense Forces of extrajudicial killings in Bahirdar, alleging that over 17 innocent civilians were fatally shot in various areas of the city.
Furthermore, the organization reported that families were denied the right to bury their deceased loved ones, compounding the tragedy.
Echoing these concerns, the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission disclosed a separate incident in Marawi city where more than 45 innocent civilians were allegedly killed by national defense forces a month prior.
Calls for an independent investigation into the Marawi city killings were made by both the United States and the European Union.
However, the Ethiopian federal government justified the actions of its defense forces as acts of self-defense, rebuffing calls for an independent inquiry into the matter.
This stance underscores the complex and contentious nature of the conflict, as well as the challenges associated with ensuring accountability and justice amidst ongoing turmoil.
