Ethiopia condemns atrocities allegations against its gov't

MOGADISHU, Somalia

The Ethiopian government on Friday said it can no longer tolerate the “defamatory falsehood being spread against Ethiopia by some Western entities."

A statement by the Ethiopian Communication Service described the allegations as shameful that they parrot Tigray Peoples Liberation Front's “irresponsible” propaganda.

“It is regrettable that few institutions of repute could not resist joining this orchestrated campaign against Ethiopia,” the statement said without naming the institutions.

The intention of the allegations is to force the country into submission, it added.

“The government acknowledges that some venerable organizations and well-meaning actors could be unwitting participants in this campaign. It is very irresponsible and shameful that allegations of the most reprehensible and the gravest of all crimes is being made for political ends,” the Ethiopian government said.

It also said Ethiopia is forced to weigh its options and consider its relations with some states and entities that are making unsubstantiated and politically motivated accusations of such gravity against the country.

“It cannot continue to tolerate such extreme slander unanswered,” the statement said.

The Tigray conflict has killed thousands and displaced millions more since November 2020. There have been allegations that Ethiopian forces committed atrocities during the conflict, which are denied by Addis Ababa.

There has been intense fighting in the northern Ethiopian region since a months-long truce was shattered in late August, with reports of mass casualties and other rights violations.

A report released by UN rights experts last month accused both sides of committing abuses that border on war crimes and crimes against humanity.

The statement came as peace talks between the Ethiopian government and the Tigray rebels opened in South Africa while fighting continues in Tigray region.

According to Friday’s statement, the government is committed to the African Union-convened peace talks because it is determined to end the conflict peacefully in a durable fashion.

Ethiopia also said it is equally committed to ensuring accountability for violations of human rights and humanitarian law arising out of the conflict.