The United Nations has expressed this Wednesday its "deep concern" over the attacks and abuses directed against personnel, property, and humanitarian aid facilities in Ethiopia, with a special focus on the north of the country. This area has been the scene, since last week, of a large-scale offensive launched by the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF), which once again places the African country on the brink of a new high-intensity conflict.
The UN humanitarian coordinator for Ethiopia, Ozonnia Ojielo, has pointed out that "while the humanitarian community maintains its presence in the affected areas, I am deeply concerned about the persistence of reports of incidents and actions affecting personnel, resources, and aid facilities, as well as civilian infrastructure, in parts of Ethiopia, especially in the context of the recent escalation of violence in the northern regions."
In an official statement, Ojielo has indicated that he is "closely monitoring" the "rapid evolution" of the crisis in the north of the country, warning that the current scenario "raises serious concerns regarding the protection of the civilian population, especially those displaced by the previous conflict who face new protection risks, while new displacements arise."
The UN representative has reminded that between 2025 and 206 the aid organizations present on the ground have suffered "significant operational disruptions," including the theft by armed groups of at least ten vehicles, of which only two have been recovered. These incidents are compounded by kidnappings, extortions, and episodes of harassment, in addition to the occupation, damage, or acts of vandalism against public buildings and "critical infrastructure."
Ojielo has warned that "these actions directly undermine aid operations and deprive vulnerable communities of vital assistance at a time of great humanitarian needs," emphasizing that humanitarian personnel and assets are protected by International Humanitarian Law.
In this line, he has insisted that "humanitarian organizations must be allowed safe and unhindered access to provide vital assistance without interference" and has demanded that all warring parties "respect International Humanitarian Law, observe humanitarian principles, refrain from obstructing humanitarian operations, and facilitate the safe and unhindered delivery of assistance to those in need."
He has also added that "I also urge humanitarian organizations operating in Ethiopia to take all necessary measures to ensure that all vehicles and operational equipment are clearly identified and visibly marked, to strictly adhere to the humanitarian code of conduct, and to follow standard notification protocols when operating in high-risk areas."
Ojielo's statement has been disseminated after the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) recently warned of the "severe limitations" imposed by hostilities in northern Ethiopia, emphasizing that the situation "adds to humanitarian needs and affects humanitarian operations," already "severely limited by cuts in telecommunications, the suspension of flights to and from Tigray and some areas of Amhara, and restrictions on key roads."
The TPLF announced on September 23 the start of a "defensive war" against Ethiopian federal forces and claimed that it adopted this stance "after the intensification of the invasion through various methods by the autocratic and genocidal regime of the Prosperity Party (PP) of Abiy --referring to Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed-- against the people of Tigray," after weeks of tension and a resurgence of attacks despite the peace agreement signed in 2022 in South Africa.
The Pretoria pact, reached after two years of war in the north of the country, established that Tigray would be under the management of a provisional government accepted by federal authorities. However, in early May, the TPLF took control of the regional authorities, triggering new tensions and a back-and-forth of accusations regarding the failure to comply with the commitments outlined in the agreement.