Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) announced that a fresh conflict broke out in Afar and Somali border in Eastern part of Ethiopia.
The commission said that its monitoring and concerned by reports of armed clashes, civilian casualties and displacement in areas bordering Afar and Somali regions after the recent ceasefire agreement between the two regions in April 2024.
EHRC has been receiving complaints and reports of casualties, damage to private and public civilian property and other damages amid escalating tensions which have led to armed clashes in the areas since June 6, 2024.
Administrative and security regional authorities that EHRC has talked to in both Afar and Somali regions have confirmed that armed clashes between the regional security forces have taken place sporadically during this period and have caused civilian harm and suffering, including displacement of residents of the areas.
EHRC also acknowledges the positive efforts of both regions to resolve some of the lingering and recurrent issues through dialogue led by the Federal Islamic Affairs Supreme Council, which resulted in a ceasefire agreement in April 2024.
It takes further note of the steps taken and ongoing efforts by federal and regional authorities to prevent further escalation.
Underlining the encouraging willingness of both regional authorities for a peaceful and sustainable resolution to the conflict, EHRC Deputy Chief Commissioner Rakeb Messele called for further efforts and support by federal authorities to lead to an immediate cease of hostilities.
The Deputy Chief Commissioner also added that “EHRC calls upon all stakeholders to be spurned by the spirit of Eid al-Adha festivities to prevent further escalation and harm to civilians in the areas”.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk called for concrete measures to halt the human rights violations and abuses that continue to endanger reconciliation and peace in Ethiopia.
The commissioner added that the use of unmanned aerial vehicles by Ethiopia government forces resulted in 248 civilian deaths between 4 August and 31 December 2023.
And the drone attacks destroyed vital infrastructure, including schools and hospitals, raising concerns about the extent of compliance of these strikes with international law.
The update also details an attack on 29 January 2024, in which at least 89 civilians were killed, reportedly by government troops, in Merawi town near Bahir Dar, the regional capital of Amhara.
According to the update, State actors were reportedly responsible for some 70 per cent of the violations, while non-State actors accounted for some 22 per cent.
