Ethiopia Weekly Update (26 November 2024)

Situation summary

Disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration (DDR) began in Tigray region, while the Central Tigray zone administrator faced an assassination attempt by unidentified gunmen. Meanwhile, the government suspended three human rights groups in Ethiopia. Protests by Oromo students were reported throughout the country after a video showing the killing of a civilian youth was shared online. 

DDR begins in Tigray region 

On 21 November, the DDR of 75,000 former combatants began in Tigray region.¹Facebook @EBCzena, 21 November 2024 Camps in Mekele, Edaga Hamus, and Adwa towns received former fighters for demobilization and reintegration training directed by the National Rehabilitation Commission (NRC). According to the commission, more than 371,000 former combatants from seven regions have been disarmed thus far.²Facebook @fanabroadcasting, 20 November 2024 The NRC was established in 2022 with the aim of launching the DDR program for former fighters. However, funding issues and the withdrawal of all non-federal forces from Tigray delayed the program.³Addis Standard, ‘News: Tigray launches DDR program for 75,000 ex-combatants, Mekelle to receive 320 in first week,’ 21 November 2024; BBC Amharic, ‘Preliminary consultations on the disarmament and reintegration of Tigray forces began in Mekele,’ 14 May 2024;  Amanuel Yilikal, ‘The Rehabilitation Commission said: the high cost of rehabilitating former combatants is a major challenge,’ Ethiopian Insider, 14 June 2023

The DDR comes at a time of tense internal division within Tigray region, with factions of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) struggling for control over the region. In an escalation of tensions, on 17 November, unidentified gunmen ambushed the Central Tigray zone administrator as it passed through May Kinetal, spraying his car with bullets. No injuries were reported. The woreda administrator for the area where the ambush occurred denied that it took place. Administrative officials throughout the region have been divided between the conflicting factions. 

The assassination attempt comes just a week after the interim administration, led by Getachew Reda — who is also the leader of one of the disputing TPLF factions — accused the other faction, led by TPLF chairman Debretsion Gebremichael, of attempting a coup d’état on the federally appointed regional government. The administrator targeted in the attack had accused members of the security forces of forbidding the Central Tigray zone administration from using the interim government’s stamp. During a press conference on the current situation in Tigray on 24 November, Getachew Reda said that if the TPLF was unable to solve its internal problems, the federal government would take control of the interim administration of the region.⁴BBC Amharic, ‘Mr. Getachew Reda: ‘If TPLF cannot solve the problem, the federal government will take over,’ 24 November 2024

Human rights groups suspended 

The Authority for Civil Society Organizations (ACSO) has suspended the Center for Advancement of Rights and Democracy, Lawyers for Human Rights, and the Association for Human Rights in Ethiopia.⁵Soloman Muche and Hirut Melese, and Tsehay Chane, ‘Three civic organizations suspended,’ DW Amharic, 25 November 2024 The suspension means the three human rights organizations cannot carry out any activities or use their bank accounts.⁶Addis Insight, ‘Ethiopia’s Government Bans Two Prominent Human Rights Organizations,’ 22 November 2024 According to letters sent by the ACSO, the organizations showed political bias, an accusation all three denied.⁷Center for the Advancement of Rights and Democracy, ‘Public statement regarding CARD’s suspension by ACSCO,’ 22 November 2024 Civil society organizations like those suspended advocate for peaceful solutions to Ethiopia’s socio-political challenges and provide an independent investigation of government programs like the National Dialogue Commission.⁸Center for the Advancement of Rights and Democracy, ‘Ethiopian National Dialogue Process – Activities Assessment Report I For Inclusion and Transparency,’ 31 October 2024 Amnesty International condemned the suspensions, saying the federal government must reverse them as they violate fundamental rights.”⁹Amnesty International, ‘Ethiopia: Suspension of three human rights organizations highlights growing crackdown on civic space,’ 26 November 2024 

Viral video of a youth killed in Oromia sparks countrywide protests 

Around 26 protests were held across many major towns in Oromia region and public universities across the country denouncing an online video of suspected Fano militia members beheading a young teenager in Dera woreda in North Shewa zone, Oromia region, in August. Demonstrations were held at Mizan Tepi University in South West Ethiopia region, Asosa University in Benshangul/Gumuz region, Addis Ababa University, Dire Dawa University, Jigjiga University in Somali region, and Siltie and Wachemo Universities in Central Ethiopia region. While the majority of the demonstrations ended peacefully, police forces in Ambo town in West Shewa zone, Oromia, forcibly dispersed protesting students near Ambo University Campus, injuring several. 

Since the failure of the first round of peace talks between the government and the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) — referred to by the government as the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF)-Shane — in May 2023, most violent events in Oromia region have been recorded in North Shewa zone. North Shewa zone, like other areas of Oromia region that border Amhara region, contains a number of armed actors, including Fano militias, OLA/OLF-Shane forces, and security forces.  

Meanwhile, clashes between the OLA/OLF-Shane and the Ethiopian National Defense Force were reported in West Shewa, East Wollega, Horo Guduru Wollega, South West Shewa, and Kellem Wollega zones during the last week. In Amhara region, fighting between government forces and Fano militias was reported in North Shewa, West Gojam, Central Gondar, South Gondar, North Gondar, East Gojam, Awi, West Gondar, and South Wello zones.