A Critical Exploration of Compliance with International Humanitarian Law in the Northern Ethiopian Armed Conflict (2020-2022)
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Date
2024-05-01
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Compliance with international humanitarian law (IHL) has been subject to heightened examination, emphasizing the impact of armed conflicts and the challenge of implementing the legal principles of action. Despite the mechanisms of compliance under the law, the effectiveness of protecting civilians and their property requires careful evaluation in light of continuous violations of the law. The study critically examines compliance with IHL in northern Ethiopia’s armed conflict (2020-2022) to understand the compliance challenges, given the reported humanitarian consequences.
To accomplish this task, a qualitative approach is utilized, involving semi-structured interview with engaged individuals from relevant institutions to investigate the challenges to compliance. Humanitarian investigative reports were reviewed to include violations of the laws of armed conflicts and the overall toll on civilians. Interviews were conducted to probe the challenges to compliance with engaged individuals. The study has revealed an evolved character of warfare and a lapse in compliance mechanisms employed under IHL. The categorization of the conflict affects IHL and international law obligations. Ethnic rivalry was a factor in noncompliance. It has determined the challenges of emotional factors influencing fighters, such as anger and resentment. The role of humanitarian work has grappled with considerable security risks. The study emphasized that discontents have the potential to initiate violence among communities. It suggests the need for a neutral body for justice, addressing community grievances, and establishing deterrence mechanisms through political dialogue and peaceful negotiations
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Keywords
Northern Ethiopian, Armed Conflict, International Humanitarian Law