By Yesheregna Medhanit
The Northern War: Names Matter
The conflict, often referred to as the “Tigray War,” began in November 2020 when tensions between the Ethiopian government and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) escalated into open warfare. A more accurate and inclusive term would be the “Northern War,” reflecting the broader geographical scope of the conflict. The war was not confined to Tigray; instead, it unfolded roughly one-third in Tigray, one-third in Afar, and one-third in Amhara. The TPLF advanced deep into Amhara territory, reaching within 200 kilometers of Ethiopia’s capital, while also attempting to penetrate Afar territory, though their efforts were largely confined to the border area, where much of the atrocities took place. This designation acknowledges the full extent of the conflict and its devastating impact on all affected regions and communities.
The roots of the conflict lie in a longstanding power struggle, intensified by political, ethnic and regional disputes, including the TPLF’s opposition to the central government’s consolidation of power. Initially concentrated in Tigray, the violence quickly spread to the neighboring regions of Afar and Amhara, with the conflict’s scope making the term “Tigray War” somewhat misleading.
Shifting Dynamics and Humanitarian Impact
While the Ethiopian government, the TPLF and the Eritrean government were all involved in the fighting, the dynamics shifted by the summer of 2021. After the Ethiopian and Eritrean forces were pushed back by the TPLF, the war expanded into Afar and Amhara as the TPLF sought to disrupt vital logistical routes and apply greater pressure on the Ethiopian government.
Eritrean involvement, in particular, only exacerbated the situation, with their troops being implicated in a range of atrocities, including mass killings, sexual violence and forced displacements. This further intensified the conflict and worsened the humanitarian crisis. The broader expansion into Afar and Amhara saw similar reports of atrocities, including civilian attacks, forced displacement and the use of starvation as a tactic of war. Human rights organizations, including Human Rights Watch and the UN, have documented these violations. The deepening humanitarian crisis further complicated efforts to achieve lasting peace and reconciliation.
Historical Deference to Authority
ሠማይ አይታረስ፣ ንጉሥ አይከሰስ: “The sky cannot be plowed, the king cannot be blamed”. This adage encapsulates a tradition where rulers are perceived as infallible and beyond reproach. Ethiopia’s political culture is deeply rooted in its feudal past, shaped by a legacy of unquestioned deference to authority. This perspective, cultivated over centuries, reinforced the centralization of power and stifled accountability. In this environment, dissent was rendered not only futile but culturally taboo, ensuring the persistence of elite impunity.
Today, this historical legacy continues to define governance in Ethiopia. Impunity is not an aberration but an entrenched norm systematically shielding those in power. The atrocities of the Northern War—marked by devastation and human suffering—remain unaddressed. Both the Ethiopian government and Tigrayan leadership, implicated in widespread violence, evade accountability. Instead, they receive international legitimacy, engaging in public displays of “reconciliation” that gloss over the catastrophic human cost of their actions.
The Politics of Theatrics
The Pretoria Agreement, heralded as a diplomatic success, epitomizes the political theater of Ethiopia’s ruling class. While leaders celebrate a superficial peace, the survivors of the war—those who endured displacement, loss and trauma—are relegated to obscurity. The absence of justice for the victims of atrocities in Tigray, Amhara and Afar underscores a troubling reality: peace, as conceived by the elite, is less about healing and more about preserving the status quo.
Such performances of unity, like the gatherings at Friendship Park, contrast starkly with the lived experiences of ordinary Ethiopians. Leaders who once decried existential threats now embrace their former adversaries, prioritizing power consolidation over justice. These public displays are a stark reminder that the absence of war does not equate to genuine peace or reconciliation.
The Cost of Ignoring Justice
History demonstrates that stability without accountability is an illusion. In Ethiopia, atrocities such as mass killings, systemic sexual violence and starvation as a weapon of war remain uninvestigated. Human rights organizations have meticulously documented these crimes, yet the political will to address them is absent. Instead, elites exploit the rhetoric of peace to shield themselves from scrutiny, sidelining the voices of victims and survivors.
The lack of accountability sends a troubling message both domestically and internationally. Without a reckoning, cycles of violence are likely to persist, eroding trust in governance and leaving communities vulnerable to future conflicts. This deliberate neglect of justice and reconciliation undermines Ethiopia’s prospects for lasting stability.
A Path Forward
Breaking the cycle of violence requires more than surface-level agreements. Ethiopia must confront its history of impunity through meaningful accountability measures. Processes like South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission or Rwanda’s Gacaca courts, while imperfect, offer models for integrating justice into post-conflict recovery. By providing platforms for victims and perpetrators to engage in honest dialogue, such initiatives could help Ethiopia address its past and build a foundation for sustainable peace.
Local traditions of community-based conflict resolution, led by trusted elders, also offer a valuable framework. These mechanisms emphasize dialogue and mutual understanding, creating space for genuine reconciliation. Rebuilding war-torn communities and investing in infrastructure, healthcare and education should complement efforts to restore trust and foster national unity.
The Responsibility to Demand Justice
Ultimately, the responsibility for Ethiopia’s future lies with its people. Apathy in the face of atrocities only emboldens those who perpetuate violence. The international community’s indifference reflects a broader disillusionment with a political system that prioritizes self-preservation over human rights. For Ethiopia to reclaim its dignity, it must prioritize justice over expedience, ensuring that the victims of war are not forgotten.
The stakes are clear: without accountability, peace will remain a fragile illusion vulnerable to the pressures of future conflict. True reconciliation requires confronting the past, honoring the victims and dismantling the structures of impunity that have long defined Ethiopian politics. Only then can the nation move toward a future marked by justice and genuine stability. is no reason it should be otherwise wise in a post-war Ethiopia. Stability without justice is a mirage—a false peace, a fragile calm, that will inevitably crumble when the next wave of violence comes.
Forgetting comes at a cost. Karl Marx argued that history repeats itself, first as tragedy, then as farce. But for us, it’s not even that—history keeps replaying itself as a horror show and not the kind worth watching.
The author can be reached at afarican.com
Editor’s note : Views in the article do not necessarily reflect the views of borkena.com
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