Human Rights Watch warns that escalating military mobilization and violent disputes in northern Ethiopia are pushing African Union conflict prevention mechanisms to a severe test
By Staff Writer
(Nairobi, Kenya) — Human Rights Watch (HRW) has cautioned that escalating military mobilization and violent disputes in northern Ethiopia are putting the African Union’s conflict prevention mechanisms to a severe test. The warning comes barely a week after African heads of state convened in Luanda, Angola, to reinforce the continental body’s early warning and conflict resolution protocols.
Tensions between the Ethiopian federal government and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) have intensified over the past year due to stalled implementation of the November 2022 Pretoria Cessation of Hostilities Agreement. Both parties face mutual accusations of troop movements, while unresolved disputes over contested territories, the return of displaced populations, and complete disarmament continue to undermine fragile peace efforts. In August, heavy fighting broke out near the Ethiopian-Sudanese border, accompanied by reports of artillery fire and drone strikes. HRW also highlighted human rights violations, citing ongoing abuses against civilians in Western Tigray and recent forced recruitment campaigns by the TPLF involving minors as young as 15.
Diplomatic structures intended to defuse the growing crisis remain under significant strain as concerns rise over whether existing mediation channels retain the trust of both sides. Although the AU Peace and Security Council validated a new “Trigger Model” on August 24 to connect early risk detection with swift intervention, HRW stressed that words must now yield concrete diplomatic action. The rights group urged the AU to step up direct engagement with Addis Ababa and the TPLF, review its mediation framework, and direct its Monitoring, Verification, and Compliance Mechanism to issue public compliance reports on troop remobilization and civilian abuses.
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