US Policy Toward Ethiopia Is a Story of Cynicism and Self-Interest
JacobinJan 15, 2023
Report: Evidence Suggests Ethiopia Committed Genocide in Tigray War
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The Facts
The New Lines Institute claimed in a new report published this week that evidence currently available reasonably indicates that Ethiopian federal forces and their allies have committed genocide against Tigrayans.
The Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF), along with the allied Eritrean Defense Forces (EDF) and regional militias, are accused of having engaged in several acts constituting the crime of genocide during the 2020-2022 Tigray war.
The Spin
Establishment-critical narrative
The US has tacitly enabled crimes against humanity in Ethiopia, and prospects remain dim that anyone will ever be brought to justice as long as they remain in America's good graces. In an effort to strengthen ties with an ally, the US has cynically propped up this regime. Hopefully, the world will hold federal authorities in Ethiopia to account for their crimes.
Pro-establishment narrative
The Tigray War was a brutal conflict that tore a nation apart, and it's no secret that every side involved has committed war crimes. Instead of pointing fingers at each other now that peace is holding, Ethiopia must implement a credible transitional justice process to help victims and affected communities. Otherwise, the conflict risks reignition.