The Lawfare Podcast

Alex de Waal on the Conflict in Ethiopia and Tigray

Nov 22, 2022

Alex de Waal, executive director of the World Peace Foundation and an expert on the Horn of Africa, delves into the recent truce between the Ethiopian government and the Tigray People's Liberation Front. He discusses the tragic use of famine as a weapon, the complex dynamics leading to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's shift from peacemaker to wartime leader, and the urgent need for accountability regarding human rights abuses. De Waal also highlights the intricacies of peace negotiations and the international community's failures in addressing humanitarian crises.

37:43

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Alex de Waal

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Quick takeaways

The conflict in Ethiopia underscores the complexities of governance, where peace agreements prioritize military authority over genuine democratic reforms.

Efforts for accountability in the Ethiopian conflict face significant challenges due to a lack of international oversight and political pressures on humanitarian agencies.

Deep dives

The Nature of the Ethiopian Conflict

The conflict in Ethiopia, which erupted two years ago, began as a power struggle between Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF). Tensions escalated not only due to internal political disputes but also because of historical grievances with neighboring Eritrea, which aimed to eliminate Tigray's leadership. This complex backdrop resulted in a multifaceted war characterized by extreme violence and the use of starvation as a tactic. The government's strategies have included not only military confrontations but also a systematic blockade that has devastated humanitarian access in the region.

Intro

3min

Ethiopia's Turmoil: From Peace to Conflict

14min

Conflict Dynamics and Human Cost in Tigray

3min

Examining Human Rights Abuses and Accountability in the Tigray Conflict

5min

Accountability and Justice in Ethiopia

6min

Negotiating Peace Amidst Crisis

13min

Earlier this month, officials from the government of Ethiopia and representatives from the Tigray People's Liberation Front agreed to halt the two-year conflict that has been rife with accusations of ethnic cleansing, sexual violence, and famine as a weapon of war. To discuss the current state of the conflict and the prospect of peace, Lawfare managing editor Tyler McBrien sat down with Alex de Waal, executive director of the World Peace Foundation and a research professor at Tufts University's Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy. A longtime expert on the Horn of Africa, de Waal co-edited the book, “Accountability for Mass Starvation: Testing the Limits of the Law,” which was published in August. They discussed the terms of the recent truce agreements, the irony of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's Nobel Peace Prize, and the options for accountability for forced starvation and other crimes committed by both sides.

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