Escaping Rape and Murder in Ethiopia's Civil War

Summary

The script details the ongoing Ethiopian civil war, which began in 2020, and its devastating impact on the Tigray region. Over 50,000 refugees have fled to camps in eastern Sudan, where they face sexual violence and displacement. The conflict has escalated into an ethnic struggle, with accusations of war crimes and crimes against humanity. The international community fears the war could destabilize the entire African region, as the Ethiopian government's rhetoric fuels tensions and ethnic militias are emboldened to attack.

Takeaways

• 🌐 The script discusses a refugee crisis in eastern Sudan for Ethiopian refugees, with over 50,000 people affected due to the ongoing civil war in Ethiopia.
• 📢 The Ethiopian federal government has imposed a communications blackout, restricting journalist access to Tigray, making refugee accounts crucial for understanding the situation.
• 🗓️ The civil war in Ethiopia started in November 2020, initiated by Prime Minister Abi Ahmed's military offensive against the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF).
• 🏹 Tensions escalated after the TPLF held regional elections against Abi's orders, leading to a power struggle and humanitarian crisis.
• 🚫 Ethiopian government forces and regional militias have cut off Tigray from the rest of the country, causing displacement and man-made famine.
• 🏕️ Umrikuba is one of the permanent camps in eastern Sudan where Ethiopian refugees have fled, highlighting the dire need for international attention.
• 🚷 Sexual violence, including mass rape and sexual slavery, has been reported as a significant and gruesome part of the conflict, with allegations against the Ethiopian military and Eritrean troops.
• 📝 Amnesty International has documented numerous cases of sexual violence and has classified the scale of violations as potential war crimes and crimes against humanity.
• 🔄 The conflict took a turn in June when Tigray forces regained control of most of Tigray and expanded into neighboring regions, leading to reports of reprisal attacks.
• 🌐 The conflict has evolved from a political feud into a full-blown ethnic conflict, with the potential to destabilize the entire region of Africa.
• 🗣️ Prime Minister Abi's rhetoric, describing the enemy as a 'cancer and weed,' has been criticized for fueling ethnic tensions and violence.
• 💔 Many survivors and the international community blame Prime Minister Abi for the escalation and the resulting humanitarian crisis.

Q & A

What is the reason for the second visit to the refugee camp in eastern Sudan for Ethiopian refugees?

The second visit is due to the total communications blackout implemented by the Ethiopian federal government, which has almost entirely blocked journalists from entering Tigray, making talking to refugees the only way to understand the situation there.

When did the civil war in Ethiopia begin and what triggered it?

The civil war in Ethiopia began in November 2020, triggered by Prime Minister Abi Ahmed's military offensive against the governing party in the northern region of Tigray, following the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) holding its own regional elections against Abi's orders.

What has been the impact of the power struggle in Tigray on the local population?

The power struggle has left the Tigrayan people fearing for their lives, cut off from the rest of the country, with hundreds of thousands displaced, facing man-made famine, and violence.

What is Umrikuba and what is its significance in the context of the refugee crisis?

Umrikuba is one of the four permanent camps in eastern Sudan where Ethiopian refugees have fled to escape the war at home, highlighting the scale of displacement caused by the conflict.

How has sexual violence been a part of the conflict in Tigray according to the script?

Sexual violence, including mass rape and sexual slavery, has been a gruesome and defining part of the war in Tigray, with many victims and rights groups reporting these atrocities committed by the Ethiopian military and Eritrean troops.

What happened to Luam Desta after she escaped fighting in her hometown?

Luam Desta was separated from her husband, imprisoned by a militia from the Amhara region known as the Whanau, and accused her husband of fighting for Tigrayan forces.

What challenges do aid workers and health facilities face in the context of the conflict?

Aid workers face a lack of access due to the conflict, and health facilities have been destroyed, making it difficult to register and address cases of sexual violence and other war crimes.

What did Amnesty International report about the scale of violations in the conflict?

Amnesty International reported in August that the scale of violations in the conflict amount to war crimes and may amount to crimes against humanity.

How did the war take a surprising turn in June and what were the consequences?

In June, Tigrayan forces retook most of Tigray and reinstalled the TPLF government, quickly pushing into neighboring Amhara and Afar regions, leading to reports of horrific reprisal attacks and an escalation of the conflict.

What has been the impact of Prime Minister Abi's rhetoric on the conflict?

Prime Minister Abi's rhetoric, such as describing the enemy as a cancer and a weed that needs to be uprooted, has fueled tensions and emboldened militias to attack other minority ethnic groups, escalating the ethnic conflict.

What concerns do the international community have regarding the spread of the conflict in Ethiopia?

The international community is concerned that the conflict in Ethiopia, which started as a political feud, might destabilize the entire region, as it risks pulling all of Ethiopia, once considered a beacon of stability in Africa, into war.

Outlines

00:00

😔 Civil War and Refugee Crisis in Ethiopia

This paragraph details the situation in eastern Sudan's refugee camps housing over 50,000 Ethiopian refugees fleeing the civil war that began in November 2020. The Ethiopian government's communications blackout has made it difficult for journalists to report on the war's impact, making refugee interviews crucial for understanding the conflict. The war started when Prime Minister Abi Ahmed launched a military offensive against the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF), leading to a power struggle that has displaced hundreds of thousands and resulted in man-made famine and violence. The paragraph also highlights the issue of sexual violence, including mass rape and sexual slavery, allegedly committed by Ethiopian military and Eritrean troops, with survivors sharing their stories.

05:20

🏹 Escalation and Ethnic Conflict in Ethiopia

The second paragraph discusses the escalation of the conflict in Ethiopia, which saw Tigray forces retaking most of Tigray and reinstalling the TPLF government in June. This led to a push into neighboring Amhara and Afar regions, with government forces on the defensive. Reports of reprisal attacks emerged, including the discovery of bodies on the Sudanese border, which the Ethiopian government dismissed as a propaganda campaign. The conflict has evolved into a full-blown ethnic conflict, with Prime Minister Abi's rhetoric, likening the enemy to a cancer, fueling tensions and emboldening militias to attack minority ethnic groups. The international community is concerned about the potential destabilization of the entire region due to the spreading war.

10:25

😞 Trauma and Uncertainty in Refugee Camps

The final paragraph focuses on the experiences of individuals like Luam Desto, who was forced into sex slavery and tortured by a militia after being kicked out of her home. It discusses the collective trauma experienced by refugees in the camps and their doubts about living together in a united Ethiopia even after the conflict ends. The paragraph also touches on the government's call for civilians to take up arms, which has hardened ethnic divisions. The narrative includes personal accounts of the refugees' lives in the camps and their uncertain future, reflecting on the possibility of peaceful coexistence among different ethnic groups post-conflict.

Keywords

💡Refugee Camps

Refugee camps are designated areas established to shelter and care for individuals who have been displaced from their home country due to conflict, persecution, or natural disaster. In the context of the video, these camps in eastern Sudan are specifically for Ethiopian refugees, highlighting the scale of displacement caused by the civil war in Ethiopia.

💡Communications Blackout

A communications blackout refers to the intentional restriction or blocking of information flow, often imposed by a government during a crisis or conflict to control the narrative. In the video, the Ethiopian federal government is said to have implemented such a blackout in Tigray, limiting journalists' access and thus the world's understanding of the situation on the ground.

💡Civil War

A civil war is a violent conflict between opposing groups within the same country, often fighting for control or differing ideologies. The video discusses the civil war in Ethiopia, which began in November 2020, and is central to the plight of the refugees and the overall theme of the video.

💡Tigray

Tigray is a region in northern Ethiopia and the epicenter of the civil war mentioned in the script. It is significant as the home of the Tigray people, who are facing conflict with the Ethiopian government and regional militias, leading to a humanitarian crisis.

💡TPLF

The Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) is a political party that previously governed Ethiopia and currently leads the regional government in Tigray. The script describes tensions arising after the TPLF held elections in defiance of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's orders, contributing to the escalation of the civil war.

💡Displaced Persons

Displaced persons are individuals who have been forced to leave their homes but have not crossed international borders. The video mentions hundreds of thousands of Ethiopians displaced by the conflict, facing challenges such as man-made famine and violence.

💡Sexual Violence

Sexual violence encompasses any sexual act or attempt to obtain a sexual act by violence or coercion. The script describes sexual violence as a 'defining and gruesome part' of the conflict in Tigray, with mass rape and sexual slavery being reported by rights groups.

💡Ethnic Conflict

Ethnic conflict refers to disputes or hostilities between different ethnic groups, often rooted in cultural, social, or political differences. The video illustrates how the initial political feud has escalated into an ethnic conflict, with Prime Minister Abiy's rhetoric potentially fueling tensions and violence.

💡War Crimes

War crimes are serious violations of the laws and customs of war, which give rise to individual criminal responsibility for those who commit such acts. The script mentions a report by Amnesty International that suggests the scale of violations in the conflict may amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity.

💡Amhara

The Amhara are an ethnic group in Ethiopia, and the script refers to the Amhara region and Amhara militia, indicating their involvement in the conflict. The Amhara militia, known as Fano, are mentioned as being mobilized alongside the Ethiopian army, highlighting the ethnic dimensions of the conflict.

💡Humanitarian Crisis

A humanitarian crisis is a critical situation that exists when people's basic human rights have been severely violated, often due to conflict or disaster. The video describes the situation in Tigray as a humanitarian crisis, with refugees facing violence, sexual assault, and displacement.

Highlights

Over 50,000 Ethiopian refugees in eastern Sudan due to a communications blackout in Tigray.

The civil war in Ethiopia began in November 2020 with a military offensive by Prime Minister Abi Ahmed against the Tigray region.

Tensions escalated after the Tigray People's Liberation Front held regional elections against Abi's orders.

Ethiopian government forces and regional militias are pitted against Tigrayans, leading to displacement and a humanitarian crisis.

Umrikuba is one of the permanent camps in eastern Sudan where Ethiopian refugees have fled the war.

Sexual violence, including mass rape and sexual slavery, has been a gruesome part of the conflict.

Amnesty International reports potential war crimes and crimes against humanity due to the scale of violations.

Luam Desta's story of escaping fighting in her hometown and being imprisoned by a militia.

The war took a surprising turn in June when Tigray forces retook most of Tigray and reinstalled the TPLF government.

Reports of reprisal attacks and bodies washing up on the Sudanese border raise concerns about the conflict's escalation.

The conflict has evolved into a full-blown ethnic conflict with Prime Minister Abi's rhetoric fueling tensions.

International concerns about the potential destabilization of the entire African region due to the Ethiopian conflict.

Survivors blame Prime Minister Abi for the conflict and its impact on future generations.

Amhara militia called Fano were mobilized early in the war, which has hardened ethnic divisions.

Luam Desta's experience of forced sex slavery and torture in a Whanau-run prison.

Doubts among Tigrayans about living in a united Ethiopia even after the conflict ends.

Transcripts

[Music]

we're on our way to one of the refugee

camps in eastern sudan for ethiopian

refugees there's over 50 000 of them

here and this is actually our second

time

back here since the war began and that's

because the federal government in

ethiopia has implemented a total

communications blackout they've almost

entirely blocked journalists from

getting into tigrai so we came back

because talking to the refugees here is

really the only way to piece together

what's actually going on over there

the civil war in ethiopia began in

november 2020 when prime minister abi

ahmed launched a military offensive

against the governing party in the

northern region of tegra

[Music]

tensions there were high after the

tigray people's liberation front or tplf

held its own elections for the region

against avi's orders

we are confident in a relatively short

period of time

we will accomplish our objectives and

create a conducive environment for life

to return to normalcy for our citizens

integrai

but the tegrian people have actually

spent the past year fearing for their

lives the power struggle pitting abby's

government forces and regional militias

against tegrians have left them cut off

from the rest of the country

with hundreds of thousands displaced

facing man-made famine and violence

this is umrikuba one of the four

permanent camps in eastern sudan where

refugees from ethiopia have fled

escaping the war at home

sexual violence has been a really

defining and gruesome part of the war

into grai and a lot of people here and

rights groups have told us that mass

rape and sexual slavery have been

committed by the ethiopian military by

militias the eritrean troops

some survivors have agreed to talk to us

about it today

luam desta finally made it to the camp

months after she first escaped fighting

in her hometown

as she fled desta was separated from her

husband and imprisoned by a militia from

the amhara region known as the whanau

they accused her husband of fighting for

tigran forces

[Music]

there are many women who went through

the same thing as you who

told us they were too afraid to show

their faces why are you

doing this openly

foreign

cases of sexual violence were registered

between february and april alone and

because of the lack of access for aid

workers and the destruction of health

facilities that's likely just a fraction

of crimes committed according to amnesty

international

in august they released a report that

said that the scale of the violations

amount to war crimes and may amount to

crimes against humanity

[Music]

has been living at umra cuba for nine

months

she says after ethiopian forces took her

town they tricked her family and their

neighbors into returning home by

promising them that they were safe

oh

[Music]

m

so they didn't allow you to

to bury him

is

who did that to your family

me

the war took a surprising turn in june

when tegrian forces retook most of

degray and reinstalled the tplf

government

they quickly pushed into neighboring

amhara and afar regions

with government forces on the back foot

reports of horrific reprisal attacks

emerged

in august 28 bodies some with hands tied

and bullet holes washed up on the shores

of a river on the sudanese border

witnesses believe they came from tigrai

the ethiopian government called the

discovery a fake propaganda campaign

now a war that started as a political

feud is a full-blown ethnic conflict

in july prime minister abi tweeted that

the enemy is a cancer and a weed that

needs to be uprooted

a statement that the u.n believes fuels

those tensions

and it's rhetoric that has emboldened

militias to attack other minority ethnic

groups

[Music]

idmasumolo is an ethnic command a

minority group from northern ethiopia he

arrived in sudan less than a month ago

and is scared that the family he left

behind in amhara will be targeted by the

same militias attacking degraying

civilians

given how the war is spreading recently

can you see

a time in the future where amhara can

live together with command

and amhara can live together with tigray

so who do you blame then for the fact

that now the war has taken this turn to

different ethnic groups fighting each

other

foreign

the international community is sounding

the alarm that all of ethiopia once

considered a beacon of stability in

africa might soon be pulled into a war

that risks destabilizing the entire

region

many survivors of the conflict are

already laying the blame at prime

minister abi's feet

and making sure the next generation

won't forget

foreign

foreign

[Music]

[Music]

[Music]

[Music]

forces entered your town

what happened

foreign

a well-known amhara militia called fano

were mobilized to fight alongside the

army early in the war

then as the conflict spread into amhara

in july the government called on all

able-bodied civilians to take up arms

hardening ethnic divisions in an already

divisive war

after luam desto was kicked out of her

home she was held for three months in a

whanau-run prison

where she says she and other tagran

women were forced into sex slavery and

tortured

[Music]

after three months

in captivity how do you feel about the

man that held you there

i'm human

[Music]

what's life been like for you here at

the camps

i

after months reliving their collective

trauma in the camps and no hope of

returning home many to gryans have

doubts about living in the united

ethiopia even if the conflict ends soon

you said that before amhara and to grian

lived happily together do you think

that's possible now after these last

months of war

foreign

you