Tigray war victims move to court over PM ahmed' "sponsored" genocide

There have also been numerous reports of mass killings in Tigray, by all sides - GETTY IMAGES

ADDIS ABABA - The administration of Abiy Ahmed has been dragged to court by victims of violence in the Tigray region, in yet a landmark move that could shape the conflict in Northern Ethiopia, 13 months after Tigray Defense Forces [TDF] faced a crackdown by Ethiopia National Defense Forces [ENDF].

On Tuesday, an official complaint was tabled at the African Commission on Human and People' Rights in which a non-profit legal body claimed massive violation of human rights against civilians in the Horn of Africa nation.

The massacre in Ethiopia has left thousands of people dead, hundreds of women and children raped among other atrocities according to the UN Human Rights Council. In December, the council had called for investigations into the wide range of allegations.

According to AFP, the non-profit Legal Action Worldwide [LAW] said it "represents victims from Tigray, who have provided testimony for the case but could not be listed as complainants due to fear of reprisals from the government".

"Ethiopia is responsible for a wide range of human rights violations under the African Charter, including military targeting of civilians and civilian infrastructure; mass and extra-judicial killings; gender-based sexual violence; arbitrary arrest and detention", said a statement released by the lawyers.

"The complaint requests that the African Commission order Ethiopia to stop all violations and abuses against civilians in Tigray, allow unfettered access of food and humanitarian aid to the region, and ensure the protection of the human rights of all Ethiopians, especially in Tigray."

So far, the Ethiopian government is yet to respond to the latest suit but over the weekend, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed seemed to praise the African Union for " standing with us". The AU has been criticized for " defending" the Ethiopian government over the Tigray conflict.

Currently, humanitarian agencies have decried poor access to roads and shortage of fuel in Tigray, temporarily suspending operations. The Afar regional troops have also been accused of blocking humanitarian trucks from delivering food in Tigray.

Tigray itself has for months been subject to what the UN says is a de-facto blockade, and the United States has accused the Ethiopian government of blocking aid, which in turn has blamed the rebels for the obstructions.

Early this year, Abiy Ahmed said he was ready for reconciliation but to date, no structured talks between Addis Ababa and Mekelle have been procured. The United States said sanctions against a number of officials will come into full force starting today [Wednesday].

GAROWE ONLINE