In the very north tip of Ethiopia, on the border of Eritrea, there’s a region named Tigray. This area is mainly inhabited by Tigrayans, the fourth biggest ethnic group in the country. However, in November of 2020, government forces & the Tigrayan Defence Force came to arms, sparking a conflict that still goes on to this day.
The Ethiopian government, along with Eritrea, invaded the region in order to topple the region’s ruling party, which had opposed Abiy Ahmed’s (the prime minister) political reforms. Though the killing that ensued wasn’t limited to just military personnel, civilians have been the victims of starvation caused by Ethiopia & Eritrea cutting off the food supply to Tigray, putting 2.5 million in famine conditions, according to the UN. Additionally, doctors treating refugees are finding that many have been raped by government soldiers, who apparently described the Tigrayans as having no history or culture, trying to justify the crime with a goal of ‘cleansing Tigrayan blood.’ These horrors aren’t all being committed by the one side though, the Tigrayans are accused of playing a role in the Mai Kadra massacre; the targeted killing of any non-Tigrayans in the town. Many locals nonetheless sheltered some of these groups, appalled at the senseless murder around them. These people are unable to reach out, as the internet, and mobile service has been cut off from the region, effectively isolating them from the rest of the world.
There has been a mix of responses on the international stage. The developed world has shown overwhelming concern for the atrocities which have been unfolding, while authoritarian countries supported the Ethiopian government’s perspective. The targeted murdering of civilians is an issue that most nations showed concern for. However, a critical question arisis of, is aid enough to support those who are being wished dead by their own government, or the ‘outsiders’ living inside Tigray? But then again, are the alternatives any better; sending peacekeeping troops who may feel antagonised, or placing sanctions on a country whose citizens may not support the actions of their leadership?
This conflict has already claimed more lives than any other this year. More than Afghanistan, and more than Myanmar, and yet there is seemingly less public awareness of the situation. By educating ourselves on the matter, however, we can help prevent this devastation in the future.
Comments