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Ethiopia Faces Human Rights Crisis as Tensions Rise Over GERD

Ethiopia is facing serious problems with human rights and regional conflicts, according to a 2024 U.S. government report showing illegal killings, torture, and arrests without proper cause. These issues are linked to ongoing fighting in areas like Amhara, Oromia, and Tigray, and both government forces and armed groups are involved in violence and repression, the report says, while journalists and artists face harassment and the families of kidnapped people still await answers.

Meanwhile, Ethiopia is preparing to open the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) soon, sparking tension with neighboring countries, especially Egypt. Despite false claims by U.S. President Donald Trump, the dam was fully paid for by Ethiopians themselves. Trump's administration supports Egypt's view that the dam is a threat because of its control over the Nile River's water, increasing regional tension, and damaging African-led negotiations.

Ethiopia's government is also working to gain access to the Red Sea, possibly through an agreement with Somaliland, showing it wants to strengthen its position in the region - a move being resisted by neighbouring countries.

InFocus

Mulugeta Ayene/UNICEF

A scene from the Somali region of Ethiopia. Countrywide, at least 21 million people face multiple overlapping challenges including conflict, drought, flooding and disease outbreaks.

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