Thousands rendered homeless due to land violence in Ethiopia

Ethiopia’s Tigray and Amhara regions have witnessed escalating violence over disputed land, leaving nearly 29,000 people displaced, according to the United Nations.

The conflict erupted in the Raya Alamata district, claimed by both regions, sparking clashes between their respective forces. While Amhara officials accuse Tigray forces of invasion, former Tigray rebels deny the allegation.

The backdrop to this violence is the unresolved aftermath of Ethiopia’s two-year civil war, which concluded in late 2022 with a peace agreement between the central government and Tigray forces.

However, challenges persist regarding contested territories, disarming former combatants, and addressing the plight of hundreds of thousands displaced during the conflict.

Raya Alamata, initially under Tigray control before the war, has been seized by Amhara forces. Reports indicate Tigray forces are advancing in response to the recent hostilities.

The situation has prompted a dire humanitarian crisis, with families seeking refuge in open areas in nearby Amhara districts like Kobo and Sekota.

Expressing concern over the violence, the embassies of seven Western nations, including the US and the UK, issued a joint statement calling for de-escalation and advocating for disarmament and demobilization efforts.