“The situation remains extremely unstable, and we are concerned it will continue to worsen, exacerbating the already fragile human rights and humanitarian conditions in the region,” stated Mr. Türk, following recent confrontations between the Ethiopian military and regional forces.
This development unfolds against the backdrop of a deadly conflict in Tigray that lasted from 2020 to 2022, involving government forces and Tigray separatists amid escalating tensions between national and local authorities. This conflict, which reportedly involved Eritrean troops, is estimated to have resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands and displaced over two million people, with one million still internally displaced today.
Recent escalations in hostilities were highlighted by the UN human rights office (OHCHR), which reported that clashes between the Ethiopian National Defence Forces (ENDF) and the regional Tigray Security Forces (TSF) intensified on January 26, near the Amhara border. The TSF withdrew from the Tselemti area on February 1, according to OHCHR. “Both sides employed drones, artillery, and other heavy weaponry,” Mr. Türk remarked in a statement. “Civilians find themselves once again ensnared in rising tensions, with both the TSF and ENDF reportedly conducting arrests based on perceived affiliations with the opposing faction. This behavior must cease,” he emphasized.
In the southern and southeastern regions of Tigray, near the Afar border, ongoing clashes between the TSF and a rival group known as the “Tigray Peace Forces” persist, the High Commissioner observed. “Both parties need to step back from the edge and seek to resolve their differences through political dialogue,” he stated. “Any alleged serious violations or abuses should be swiftly and independently investigated, regardless of the perpetrators.”
During a briefing with journalists in Geneva, the High Commissioner’s spokesperson, Ravina Shamdasani, cautioned that new hostilities could erupt “at any moment,” posing severe risks to civilians. She reiterated calls for all parties to recommit to the Pretoria Agreement, which was designed to end hostilities and was signed in 2022. The conflicting parties must also facilitate the return of internally displaced individuals to their homes, among other trust-building initiatives, Ms. Shamdasani added. “This was part of the agreement, but the progress has not been as smooth as anticipated,” she remarked.
Furthermore, the High Commissioner highlighted that recent strains between Ethiopia and neighboring Eritrea could exacerbate the already critical human rights and humanitarian issues in both nations and throughout the broader Horn of Africa. “Reports indicate the presence of Eritrean troops and increasing tensions between the two countries,” Ms. Shamdasani noted, pointing to “disputes… particularly concerning the situation in Tigray.” She urged, “We call for these disputes to be settled through political discussions rather than violence. We all witnessed the events of 2020 and 2021 when a full-scale conflict erupted in the Tigray region, resulting in countless deaths… We cannot afford to return to that state.”
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