Silent Suffering: The Ongoing Conflict in the Amhara Region Of Ethiopia

By Ermias Mulugeta

The long-standing ethnically motivated conflict in Ethiopia, targeting the Amhara, the most populous ethnic group in Ethiopia, has escalated into a brutal war. Seventeen months into this deadly conflict in the Amhara region, countless lives have been lost, and a sustainable solution appears distant. Both the federal government and the Fano forces continue to issue statements regarding the situation.

The origins of this conflict trace back to April 2023, when the federal government initiated a campaign to disband the Amhara Special Forces, a key regional paramilitary group. This force played a crucial role in the war against the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), partnering with the Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF). The valor of the Amhara Special Forces was widely recognized, with top military officials acknowledging their efforts in saving encircled troops.

Numerous reports have highlighted the importance of the Amhara Special Forces, including remarks by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in parliament, where he stated, “We have trained the Amhara Special Force to be Ethiopian, and we can deploy them anywhere in the country outside of the Amhara region.” However, since the government launched its "law enforcement operation" in April 2023, these commendations have ceased. The decision to disband the Special Forces and integrate them into the national army, regional police, or anti-riot forces was met with strong resistance from the Amhara community and the Fano group. They questioned why the government sought to dismantle their security forces amidst an existential threat from various internal and external groups.

After 17 months of a violent and often overlooked war, the government has deployed a range of weaponry, including aerial strikes. Reports indicate that civilians have been targeted, with instances of sexual violence against women, and schools and healthcare facilities have been repurposed as military camps. A July 2024 report from Human Rights Watch highlighted that government forces committed war crimes by attacking healthcare centers and assaulting staff and patients.

In contrast, the government and military have dismissed these allegations as unfounded, asserting that operations will continue until full control of the region is established.

Sisay Alemu, 56 (name changed upon request), is a farmer living in the region. He and his family have survived multiple assaults by government artillery. Last year, when the war broke out, government forces raided his house in search of weapons. Fortunately, Sisay had no weapons or any other items of interest to the security forces. However, the government forces did not leave him in peace; instead, they arrested him and took him to their camp.

"They tortured me the whole night, pouring cold water on me and beating me like I was not a human. The whole time, my hands were tied behind my back. At some point, they ripped off my shirt and scarf, leaving me topless and cold. The physical assault was relentless," he recounted.

All of them used ethnically derogatory terms and claimed they were in the region to eradicate all the Fano and Neftegnas (a slur ethnocentric politicians use to refer to the Amhara people).

After the night-long torture, Sisay was barely able to walk. "I was crawling when they told me to leave the compound. Honestly, I had no hope that I would make it out alive. But, thank God, I survived. Now, I am living with my children, hiding in different locations as we have left our house behind," he said.

Sisay is now living in a different location. After his release, he was sick but still had to cultivate his farmland. However, his area turned into a battleground, with artillery dropping on his land. He had to abandon his land and home, relocating with his family.

As PAV assessed, this is the story of thousands, if not millions, of residents in the Amhara region. The indiscriminate attacks, gender-based violence, and looting and destruction of health centers and schools have ravaged the region. During the war with the TPLF, the region faced severe challenges, and more than a quarter of a trillion ETB is needed for rehabilitation as per various reports, that the government acknowledged.  Before any rehabilitation efforts could begin, the region is now facing another round of conflict.

The ongoing conflict, compounded by drought and other factors, has resulted in over 4 million students being out of school, according to recent UNOCHA reports. The dire humanitarian situation has been exacerbated by intensified warfare and indiscriminate attacks on civilians and aid workers, significantly hampering relief efforts. The UN has even proposed suspending humanitarian activities in the Amhara region due to increased violence against its staff. Sources have reported that NGO workers have been targeted by unknown assailants, with government forces allegedly commandeering NGO vehicles, further complicating humanitarian efforts.

While the government claims the Fano forces control significant portions of the region, operations are not as effective as needed. PAV has observed that regional officials have ceased direct travel to the eastern parts of Amhara, opting instead to fly to Addis Ababa and then to Kombolcha in Wollo. A journey that has expanded from nearly 400 kilometers to over a thousand.

The impact of the ongoing conflict is evident at all levels, particularly for ordinary citizens. The socio-economic crisis is becoming increasingly unbearable. Reports indicate that civil servants working in areas heavily influenced by Fano forces are not receiving their monthly salaries.

“Our salaries have been withheld by the government, which has accused us of collaborating with Fano. We have been told to seek our payments from them instead,” civil servants shared with the media.

The situation is deteriorating as Fano forces continue to advance into various areas. However, they rarely maintain control for long, often leaving abruptly without explanation, according to local residents. When Fano forces vacate an area and government troops move in, there is a pattern of aggressive retaliation. Residents report instances of arbitrary killings and various war crimes committed by government forces during these transitions.