Will Victims Of Atrocities In Ethiopia See Justice And Accountability?

November 4, 2025, marked five years since the beginning of the war in Tigray, Ethiopia. The conflict was supposed to end with the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement in November 2022. However, the agreement did not bring peace, as atrocities, including conflict-related sexual violence, persist to this day. A group of NGOs recently issued a joint letter advocating for justice for all victims of the atrocities in Tigray and the rest of the country.
The Tigray War commenced on November 4, 2020, following Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s orders to engage the Ethiopian Defense Forces against Tigrayan forces. Reports soon surfaced of ethnic-based targeting and mass atrocities, such as murder, rape, and persecution. These crimes primarily affected Tigrayan civilians and were committed by Ethiopian, Eritrean forces, and allied militia groups. Despite the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement, the violence persists in Tigray and other regions of Ethiopia.
Various organizations, including the UN and Ethiopia’s Human Rights Commission, have documented the atrocities as war crimes and crimes against humanity. They reported deliberate targeting of civilians, sexual violence, and ethnic cleansing, among other violations. The Ethiopian government, however, has not fulfilled its obligation to deliver justice and accountability for these crimes, leaving victims without recourse. International and regional investigation mechanisms have also prematurely closed without adequate resolution.
The African Commission’s inquiry on Tigray concluded without public disclosure of findings, while the UN Human Rights Council reported ongoing violations in multiple regions. Despite transitional justice recommendations, violence escalates across Ethiopia, hindering peace and accountability. The NGOs emphasized the urgent need for independent monitoring, civilian protection, humanitarian aid, survivor-centered justice, and accountability to break the cycle of atrocities and impunity.
With victims still awaiting justice, access to healthcare and humanitarian aid remains limited in Ethiopia. The plea for international intervention to ensure justice, protection, and accountability is crucial to prevent recurring atrocities. Inaction could perpetuate a cycle of impunity, enabling further violence. It is imperative to act decisively to address the atrocities and uphold human rights in Ethiopia.