Trapped Between Conflicts: Sudanese Refugees Face Peril in Ethiopia Amidst Armed Clashes
Introduction
A Human Rights Watch (HRW) report has revealed the harrowing conditions facing Sudanese refugees in Ethiopia’s Amhara region. As clashes between Ethiopian government forces and the Fano militia escalated from July 2023 to September 2024, thousands of refugees, who had already fled violence in Sudan, found themselves caught in a new wave of terror. The report underscores severe violations of international law, highlighting the plight of these displaced people, who have become victims of systematic abuses, including killings, forced labor, and forced repatriation. This conflict has placed both Ethiopian civilians and Sudanese refugees in extreme danger, with the international community expressing increasing concern.
Background
Sudan’s internal conflict erupted in April 2023, when fighting broke out between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The conflict has driven over a million people from their homes, many of whom sought refuge in neighboring countries, including Ethiopia. While they hoped to escape the violence, the turmoil in Ethiopia’s Amhara region has left these refugees trapped between two conflicts.
Ethiopia has also been experiencing instability, marked by violence between the Fano militia, a nationalist paramilitary group based in the Amhara region, and federal government forces. This internal conflict intensified mid-2023, prompting the Ethiopian government to declare an emergency in August. The region’s destabilization has exacerbated the already dire humanitarian situation, particularly for vulnerable populations like refugees.
Findings from the HRW Report
The HRW report detailed widespread and egregious violations committed against Sudanese refugees in the Amhara region. These violations included robbery, abduction for ransom, beatings, and even targeted killings. Armed men reportedly attacked refugees within their camps, including those seeking medical treatment outside the camp’s perimeters. As the conflict worsened, refugees were forced to flee from one camp to another in search of safety and necessities.
The most disturbing findings involved the forced repatriation of Sudanese refugees back to Sudan, despite the severe insecurity in their home country. Ethiopian security forces are alleged to have compelled refugees to return to Sudan against their will, a direct violation of international refugee protections. Under the 1951 Refugee Convention and the OAU Africa Refugee Convention, to which Ethiopia is a signatory, the repatriation of refugees should be voluntary, particularly when the safety of the individuals cannot be guaranteed in their country of origin.
One particularly alarming event occurred in the town of Metemma, where refugees, displaced by the violence, were relocated to a transit center. Despite being in an official shelter, these refugees reportedly lacked access to adequate food and healthcare. Refugees who resisted moving to new camps due to fear of violence faced violent reprisals from local authorities, further exacerbating their suffering.
Legal and Humanitarian Violations
HRW has accused the Ethiopian government of failing to uphold its international obligations to protect refugees. The forced deportations of Sudanese nationals to a conflict-ridden homeland violate the principle of non-refoulement, a cornerstone of international refugee law that forbids returning individuals to places where their lives or freedoms are threatened. Furthermore, the Ethiopian government’s inability to provide basic humanitarian assistance in transit centers, such as food and medical care, represents a failure to meet the minimum standards of refugee protection.
The report also called attention to the collaboration of local armed groups in these abuses. Fano militia fighters reportedly engaged in violence and exploitation of refugees, including ransom demands and forced labor. The HRW report urged all parties involved in the conflict to spare civilians and refugees from violence, in line with international humanitarian law.
In addition to local responsibilities, the HRW report emphasized the duty of the international community to act. It called for increased international aid to support both the Ethiopian government and independent humanitarian organizations in their efforts to protect and provide for refugees. The report also recommended international pressure on the Ethiopian authorities to investigate and bring those responsible for these abuses to justice.
The Humanitarian Crisis in Context
The violence in the Amhara region comes at a time when Ethiopia is already grappling with multiple crises. The conflict between the Ethiopian federal government and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) devastated northern Ethiopia between 2020 and 2022. Although a fragile peace agreement has been reached, tensions remain, and other regions, such as Amhara, have become new flashpoints for conflict.
For the Sudanese refugees, many of whom fled atrocities in their homeland, Ethiopia’s instability represents a tragic continuation of their plight. The camps that were supposed to offer them safety and stability have instead become battlegrounds. The HRW report paints a picture of extreme vulnerability, with refugees facing violence not only from local armed groups but also from those tasked with their protection.
Moreover, the international response has been slow. Despite repeated warnings from humanitarian organizations, the situation for refugees in Ethiopia continues to deteriorate. The refugee camps are under-resourced, overcrowded, and often located in conflict zones, making them unsafe for those seeking refuge.
Analysis and Implications
The HRW report reveals a grim reality: that Sudanese refugees, already fleeing a catastrophic conflict, have become collateral damage in Ethiopia’s internal struggles. The abuses committed against them highlight not only the failure of local governance but also the broader inadequacies of the international refugee protection system. Despite international conventions that enshrine the rights and protections of refugees, these conventions are only as strong as the willingness of states to enforce them.
Ethiopia’s government, in the throes of its armed conflict, has failed to uphold its obligations under international law, particularly regarding non-refoulement and the provision of basic humanitarian assistance. The violence and forced deportations underscore a deeper issue of impunity in Ethiopia’s conflict zones. Without accountability, such abuses are likely to continue, further endangering refugees and other civilians caught in the crossfire.
For the international community, this situation represents a call to action. Diplomatic pressure, increased humanitarian aid, and accountability measures are urgently needed. Moreover, international actors must prioritize the protection of civilians, particularly refugees, who are among the most vulnerable populations in conflict settings. Ethiopia’s neighbors, including Sudan, are grappling with their crises, and regional instability risks exacerbating the humanitarian challenges.
The HRW report also shines a light on the limitations of international conventions when conflicts disrupt governance structures and create lawless environments. In such cases, the role of international organizations, humanitarian groups, and foreign governments becomes even more critical. Their involvement is necessary not only for the immediate provision of aid but also for longer-term solutions to refugee displacement and protection.
Conclusion
The HRW report serves as a stark reminder of the devastating impact that overlapping conflicts have on refugees and displaced populations. Sudanese refugees in Ethiopia, already escaping violence in their homeland, now find themselves facing similar dangers in a country that was meant to provide them with safety. Their plight, marked by violence, exploitation, and forced deportation, is a sobering testament to the urgent need for international intervention.
Ethiopian authorities must take immediate action to stop the violence and ensure the safety of Sudanese refugees, while international partners must provide the necessary support to meet these urgent needs. Without swift and coordinated action, the cycle of violence and displacement will only deepen, with tragic consequences for refugees and the broader region.
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