
The United States expressed deep concern on Friday over reports of “targeted civilian killings” in the northern Ethiopian town of Merawi, urging authorities to grant access to independent human rights monitors. This latest development further heightens anxieties about stability in the region, following a peace agreement signed just months ago.
The reported killings come after months of clashes between Ethiopia’s military and an Amhara ethnic “self-defense” militia known as Fano. Last year, this conflict prompted the government to impose a state of emergency, extended last week. Details surrounding the alleged Merawi killings remain scarce, with local media claiming dozens of civilians were killed by government forces searching for Fano supporters.
Limited media access due to government restrictions hampers independent verification of the situation. However, the US Embassy in Addis Ababa released a statement expressing the American government’s “deep concern” and calling for “unfettered access by independent human rights monitors” and an impartial investigation. The statement also highlighted “disturbing reports of other violations and abuses” across Ethiopia, urging all parties to engage in dialogue.
Neither the Ethiopian government nor the human rights body, which previously reported abuses in Amhara, provided immediate comment on the accusations. However, the EHRC stated they were still investigating the issue.
This violence in Amhara region resurfaces concerns about national stability, arising just months after a peace agreement supposedly ended the two-year conflict in neighboring Tigray. Amhara forces had sided with the federal government against Tigrayan rebels, but the peace deal fueled feelings of betrayal among Amharas due to historical land disputes. Tensions escalated further in April 2023 when the government ordered the dismantling of regional forces, triggering protests among Amhara nationalists who felt it weakened their region.
The EHRC had previously accused government forces of extrajudicial killings and mass detentions in Amhara and other regions in September 2023. The recent allegations of civilian killings highlight the fragility of peace in Ethiopia and underscore the need for independent investigations and accountability to restore trust and prevent further escalation.