Major Allegations of Sexual Violence and Human Rights Abuses
The Amhara Fano National Force (AFNF) has issued a formal statement accusing Ethiopian government security forces, under the Prosperity Party regime, of systematically using rape as a weapon of war in the ongoing conflict in the Amhara region. According to the AFNF Central Command, internal assessments conducted by the group claim that government-aligned military units have raped over 100,000 women and minors, perpetrating acts both individually and in groups.
The statement alleges a campaign of “genocidal war” targeting the Amhara population for nearly three years, with the government allegedly carrying out wide-ranging human rights violations in direct contravention of international humanitarian law. Reported abuses include the killing of civilians, widespread looting, and extensive use of heavy weaponry against unarmed populations, in addition to physical and sexual violence.
According to the AFNF, the deliberate use of rape is intended “to inflict psychological trauma and humiliation” on the Amhara community. Victims, they assert, have included married women, spouses of religious leaders such as priests and deacons, teachers, and students. Many alleged assaults took place in front of family members, children, and classmates, incidents that the group claims have caused significant social breakdown.
Accusations Against Ethiopian Leadership and International Inaction
The AFNF further accuses Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed of tacitly condoning these abuses through his public remarks in Parliament and other venues, which are said to be echoed by senior military officials. The statement criticizes what it describes as a “failure” by the international community to respond effectively to similar crimes in the past, arguing that the lack of timely and proportionate intervention has allowed abuses to grow in scale and severity.
The Fano force also references a BBC investigative report on sexual violence in the region, suggesting that the true extent of abuses far exceeds what has been revealed thus far. Additionally, the AFNF cites recent U.S. government confirmations regarding the Ethiopian regime’s recruitment of child soldiers and individuals with mental illnesses, as well as allegations of involvement in human trafficking and the abduction and extortion of local businesspeople by military officers.
Appeals to International Community, Human Rights Defenders, and Amhara People
In response to these alleged crimes, the AFNF has issued a series of appeals:
- To the International Community and Human Rights Institutions: The group calls for targeted sanctions and the suspension of diplomatic and military support for the Ethiopian government, referencing the country’s obligations under ratified human rights treaties.
- To Ethiopian Human Rights Defenders: There is an appeal for solidarity and moral action among human rights advocates in Ethiopia and the diaspora, urging the use of all lawful means to contest the regime’s alleged campaign of violence.
- To the Amhara People: The AFNF urges unity and active support from the broader Amhara community, emphasizing that collective resistance, not just armed confrontation, is essential to halting what the group describes as a campaign of extermination.
- To International Media, Academia, and Civil Society: Commending recent coverage by the BBC, the AFNF invites independent bodies, media organizations, universities, and NGOs to conduct thorough investigations and pledges to fully cooperate with credible inquiries into the alleged abuses.
Context and International Reactions
These allegations are the latest escalation in a conflict that has seen widespread reports of civilian casualties, displacement, and suffering. Verification of such claims remains challenging given limited international access to the region and severe communication restrictions.
As pressure mounts on the Ethiopian government from local and international stakeholders for accountability and investigation, human rights organizations and diplomatic bodies are being called upon to prioritize impartial, transparent scrutiny of the reported human rights situation in Amhara.
Source: This article is based on reporting from Daily News Egypt (“Ethiopia: Amhara Fano Unite Against Government Atrocities – AFNF Statement”) and references related coverage from the BBC.
