By: Eyob Tilahun

Abiy’s regime in Ethiopia has repeatedly committed grave war crimes in violation of international humanitarian and human rights laws, as well as the Geneva Conventions and other international agreements to which Ethiopia is a signatory.

It is not the first time such barbaric crimes have been committed against the Amhara people; however, the two most recent atrocities—against Lalem Wassie in Gojam and Tigist Wodaj in Wollo—are extremely barbaric.

Public outrage erupted after federal forces executed Lalem, a wounded female Fano freedom fighter, allegedly mutilating her by cutting off her breasts and forcibly removing the tattoo on her hands, which were marked “I am Amhara.” Her body was reportedly left in a crowded public area in Gojjam before burial.

The next day, similarly horrific war crimes were committed against Tigist in the Wollo district, another female Fano freedom fighter who had been captured and executed after her breasts and eyes were mutilated, further fuelling nationwide anger and grief.

Although such atrocities seem unimaginable today, the people of Amhara have been forced to endure immense suffering because Abiy, one of the architects of the conflict and orchestrator of these attacks, is driven by a deep hatred for them.

Unfortunately, the international media has not adequately reported the regime’s heinous acts, and the international community has not condemned them sufficiently. However, the outlets that have exposed some of these atrocities deserve credit, as some reports are better than none.

Fano has adhered to international humanitarian and human rights law under the Geneva Conventions and other commitments, treating surrendering and wounded government troops with dignity, handing them to the Red Cross, and assisting their return home, including covering transport and related costs.

Protection of international law is generally assumed to be the responsibility of the government rather than freedom fighters; yet, in the case of the regime and Fano, the opposite is true. Fano demonstrated morality and humanity by adhering to international law, whereas government troops failed to do so. There is ample evidence that the international community should designate Abiy’s regime as a terrorist organization and support the freedom fighter Fano.

It is no secret that the dictatorship has diverted public funds to fuel its brutal war against the Amhara people. Taxpayer money, millions of dollars in aid, and loans obtained on behalf of the impoverished have all been squandered on this war, underscoring the regime’s extreme recklessness and cruelty.

Consequently, the people of Amhara call on the international community to investigate serious crimes committed by the region, condemn and impose sanctions, and hold the regime accountable for its ongoing barbaric crimes against the Amhara people.