In November, a 20-year-old man from the Amhara region of Ethiopia was tragically killed in a drone strike. Forced to abandon his education due to ongoing civil conflicts in the country, he had turned to selling second-hand wool in a nearby village. The strike, ordered by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s military forces, targeted a crowded market, a health center, and an elementary school, claiming the lives of 43 individuals. This attack, the deadliest of its kind since the escalation of violence in the region, took place without any preceding clashes with local rebels.
The victim’s grieving mother, speaking with a news outlet, recounted how her son perished in the aerial bombardment. The young man’s father could only identify his body by his ID card before laying him to rest in his hometown. Tragically, he was one of many innocent civilians caught in the crossfire of Ethiopia’s prolonged civil strife, exacerbated by the recent military offensive dubbed “the final operation” in Amhara.
The ongoing conflict has resulted in a significant loss of life, with hundreds of civilians falling victim to airstrikes carried out with Turkish drones and support from the United Arab Emirates. Reports suggest a death toll ranging from 449 to 750, indicating a disturbing trend towards ethnic cleansing to suppress support for local rebel groups.
In addition to the deadly attacks, government forces have reportedly established mass detention camps in the region, contributing to the arbitrary arrest of thousands. Despite these gross violations of human rights, the international community has largely remained indifferent, preoccupied with other global crises and geopolitical rivalries.
Amidst these atrocities, a new opportunity arises with the recent change in U.S. leadership. As the 47th president, Donald Trump’s administration has the chance to reevaluate American policy towards Ethiopia and address the systemic issues fueling the conflict. Prioritizing democracy and human rights over geopolitical interests is crucial in supporting a peaceful resolution in the region.
The urgent need for accountability and intervention in Ethiopia underscores the importance of addressing human rights abuses and promoting democratic values. By advocating for a principled approach to the crisis in the Horn of Africa, the new administration can set a precedent for responsible global engagement and support for vulnerable populations affected by conflict.
During President Biden’s tenure in the White House, discussions about a fresh approach to Africa, with a heightened focus on human rights and critical issues like climate change, often remained just that – discussions. Earlier this year, financial aid extended by U.S.- and Western-backed institutions such as the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank missed a significant opportunity. While these funds alleviated the debt crisis faced by the Abiy regime, they failed to attach conditions that would enhance civil liberties or quell the violent conflicts in regions like Amhara and beyond.
Rather than fostering progress towards peace and stability, the bailout has enabled the government in Addis Ababa to bolster its arsenal with sophisticated weaponry such as the Turkish-manufactured Bayraktar TB2 drones, integrated into a specialized unit of the Ethiopian Air Force last year. Additionally, forging a strategic partnership with the UAE, a petroleum-rich nation keen on expanding its political influence in the Horn of Africa amid competition with regional actors like Saudi Arabia, has emboldened the regime further.
The ordinary citizens of the Amhara region and other areas in Ethiopia – individuals like farmers, educators, and traders – find themselves unwitting participants in these geopolitical maneuvers, as civil society crumbles under the weight of both senseless violence and the swift decay of democratic principles across the nation. Amnesty International reports a wave of arbitrary arrests targeting judges, legal personnel, prosecutors, and academics, frequently carried out without due process.
Despite the rhetoric of an “America First” doctrine espoused by Trump, hinting at isolationist tendencies, the incoming administration shares a desire to assert dominance and engage in global competition with formidable adversaries like China, which has been actively expanding its influence across Africa in recent years. In this time of crisis, there exists a window of opportunity for the new U.S. president.
Historically, the strong bonds between Washington and Addis Ababa have proven mutually beneficial, offering economic advantages to both nations. For the latter half of the 2020s, a renewed emphasis from the subsequent Trump administration could not only foster a mutually advantageous relationship through sustained economic cooperation but also diminish the appeal of authoritarian challengers such as China and the UAE.
It is imperative for the new president to recognize Ethiopia as a litmus test, demonstrating that democracy and human rights can once more serve as pillars for the resurgence of a thriving African continent. Mesfin Tegenu, the executive chairman of the American Ethiopian Public Affairs Committee, advocates for this strategic approach, envisioning a future where shared values pave the way for sustainable progress.
