Use your historical inquiry skills to research and communicate clearly about another atrocity crime in the Middle East or Africa. The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum website has country case studies about other atrocity crimes. Visit their web page titled “Country Case Studies.”

Question

Choose one of the following case studies: Cameroon, Central African Republic, Côte D'Ivoire, Ethiopia, Iraq, Mali, Syria, or Zimbabwe.

A compelling question is a broad question that focuses on the main idea of a topic under study. An example of a compelling question about the Holocaust might be “What prompted the murdering of Jewish citizens by the Nazis?” Now, write 2-3 compelling questions that you would like answered about an atrocity crime that
occurred in the Middle East or Africa. As you read through your chosen case study, answer the questions you have written.

Answer 1

For this inquiry, I will focus on the case study of Ethiopia, particularly examining the ongoing conflict and atrocities committed during the Tigray War, which began in November 2020.

Compelling Questions:

1. What were the root causes of the Tigray War, and how did they contribute to the atrocities committed during the conflict?
2. What role did international actors play in influencing the dynamics of the conflict and the humanitarian response?
3. How have the experiences of civilians in Tigray reflected broader patterns of violence and human rights violations in Ethiopia?

Answers to the Compelling Questions:

1. What were the root causes of the Tigray War, and how did they contribute to the atrocities committed during the conflict?

   The Tigray War was rooted in longstanding political tensions between the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) and the federal government of Ethiopia, led by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. After Abiy came to power in 2018, he initiated reforms that reduced the political power of the TPLF, which had dominated Ethiopian politics for nearly three decades. The TPLF felt marginalized and responded by reasserting its political power in Tigray. Tensions escalated into armed conflict in November 2020 when the Ethiopian government launched a military offensive in Tigray in response to attacks on federal military installations by TPLF forces. This conflict has led to numerous atrocities, including mass killings, sexual violence, and widespread displacement, as both government forces and allied militias engaged in brutal tactics against civilians, exacerbating an already fragile humanitarian situation.

2. What role did international actors play in influencing the dynamics of the conflict and the humanitarian response?

   International actors, including the African Union (AU), United Nations (UN), and various countries, have played a complex role in the Tigray conflict. Initially, many international entities were slow to recognize the severity of the situation, leading to a lack of timely intervention. The UN has called for investigations into human rights abuses and has attempted to facilitate humanitarian access, but challenges have persisted due to bureaucratic barriers and security concerns. Some countries have urged Ethiopia to cease hostilities and allowed for humanitarian aid to flow, while others have been criticized for maintaining diplomatic ties with the Ethiopian government despite reports of atrocities. The involvement of Eritrean forces alongside the Ethiopian government has complicated the dynamics further, with Eritrea's historical animosity towards Tigray influencing the conflict’s brutality. Although there have been calls for international mediation, the response has often been criticized as insufficient to address the scale of the humanitarian crisis.

3. How have the experiences of civilians in Tigray reflected broader patterns of violence and human rights violations in Ethiopia?

   Civilians in Tigray have faced unprecedented levels of violence, displacement, and human rights violations that reflect broader patterns seen across Ethiopia, particularly in regions affected by ethnic tensions. The conflict in Tigray exemplifies a cycle of violence driven by ethnic federalism, political exclusion, and historical grievances within the country. Reports of sexual violence as a weapon of war, targeted killings, and systematic starvation tactics employed against the Tigrayan population highlight a disregard for human rights that has, unfortunately, become common in various Ethiopian conflicts. Furthermore, this situation reflects a trend where central authority struggles to balance various ethnic interests, often resulting in escalated violence and neglect for basic human rights. The Tigray conflict has revealed the fragility of state structures in Ethiopia and has significant implications for future stability in the region.

In summary, the Tigray War in Ethiopia illustrates a complex interplay of political discontent, ethnic conflict, and international response, with severe implications for civilian populations caught in the violence.