Ethiopia weekly update (2 July 2024)

Situation summary

Government forces in Amhara region killed dozens of civilians amid clashes with Fano militias, while internally displaced people in Tigray region demonstrated to demand their return to areas held by Amhara militias. Meanwhile, armed clashes were reported in Oromia and Gambela regions.

Violence against civilians in Amhara region

In Amhara region, fighting between the Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF) and Fano militias continued at heightened levels, with clashes reported in Central Gondar, East Gojam, North Shewa, and West Gojam zones. Violence against civilians by government troops in the context of clashes with Fano militias was also reported. On 24 June, ENDF soldiers reportedly killed 11 people in Adet town, North Gojam zone, after accusing them of providing information to Fano militias. The next day, four more civilians were reportedly killed by ENDF on the outskirts of Adete town. The motive behind this killing is unknown. On 26 June, ENDF soldiers who were pursuing Fano militias reportedly shot and killed 15 civilians who were standing in line to receive subsidized fertilizer for their farmland in Tarema Ber woreda, North Shewa zone.

Violence targeting civilians has been a main feature of the conflict in Amhara region since it began in April 2023. Despite continued security incidents, many involving the death of civilians, the government has regained control of most parts of the region, and the state of emergency declared on 23 August 2023 ended on 4 June. 

On 24 and 25 June, a regional peace conference was held in the Amhara regional capital, Bahir Dar. A 15-member peace council was established at the conclusion of the conference, as the demands of the Amhara people were yet to be met, and no mechanism yet existed to discuss these demands peacefully. The demands included a correction of the distorted narrative regarding Ethiopia’s past and the Amhara people, the constitution and issues of identity, economic benefit and representation, and ethnic Amhara living outside Amhara region. The council also mentioned the need for proper protection to ensure the existence of Amhara people. The council encouraged the government and Fano militias to prioritize dialogue and establish a permanent ceasefire.¹Bahir Dar City Communications, ‘A statement from the Amhara region Peace Council,’ 29 June 2024

Protests and tensions in Tigray region

In Tigray region, protests were held in a number of major cities, including the capital, Mekele, with demonstrators demanding that internally displaced people (IDPs) be returned to their homes. Protests occurred in the context of a promise the Interim Administration of Tigray made in May to return IDPs to their residents currently occupied by a de facto Amhara administration by 7 July.²Million Haileselase and Yohanes Gebreigziabher, ‘The return of refugees from Tigray,’ DW Amharic, 1 May 2024; Reuters, ‘Ethiopia’s Amhara militia says resettlement plan “beats war drum,”’ Reuters, 3 May 2024  By 1 July, nearly 1,500 IDPs had been returned to their homes in Tselemti woreda, North Western zone.³Addis Standard, ‘News: Nearly 1,500 IDPs return to Tigray’s Tselemti district “cautiously” despite lingering fear,’ 1 July 2024 Despite the statement by the Interim Administration of Tigray, it is unclear when IDPs might begin returning to areas of Western Tigray zone, still tightly under the control of an Amhara administration. 

In response to the protests, the Tigray regional president apologized for the delay and promised to return IDPs to their homes quickly. Since February, clashes have frequently erupted between armed militias from both Tigray and Amhara regions in Southern Tigray zone. Resettlement of IDPs in the disputed areas could ignite additional clashes and threaten the Pretoria peace deal.

Clashes continue in Oromia and Gambela regions

In Oromia region, clashes between the ENDF and Oromo Liberation Army — referred to by the government as the Oromo Liberation Front-Shane — continued at lower levels, with fighting reported in West Wollega, South West Shewa, West Shewa, and Guji zones. Meanwhile, in Gambela region, unidentified armed militias and government security forces clashed for two days, on 23 and 24 June. Despite being peaceful for several years, Gambela region has been the site of security incidents since May 2023, and deadly clashes have occurred regularly.