
In a decisive move to tackle rising crime and security issues, the Vice President of the Tigray Interim Administration, General Tadesse Woreda, announced on Saturday that stringent measures will be implemented to address and control the escalating threats in the region. This announcement comes with the release of a new initiative aimed at combating crime in Tigray.
During a press briefing, General Tadesse highlighted that the conventional policing measures are inadequate for the current crisis. He emphasized that addressing these concerns is now a top priority for security forces and law enforcement agencies, who are committed to regaining control. He assured that the initiative would target all perpetrators, including government officials, security personnel, and investors, ensuring that no one is above the law. The General also pledged to overcome any challenges that may arise in the process.
This initiative follows extensive investigations by committees formed after the November 2022 Pretoria Peace Agreement. This treaty, signed between the Ethiopian government and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), aimed to establish a “permanent cessation of hostilities” and end the Tigray War. The administration confirmed that suspects involved in serious crimes are already being detained. The primary goal is to eradicate illegal activities and ensure that criminals face justice, with specific attention on illegal iron ore smuggling.
Despite the peace agreement, the Tigray region continues to suffer from serious crimes and human rights violations. Human Rights Watch (HRW) reports that even after the ceasefire, local authorities and Amhara forces have continued to forcibly remove Tigrayans from the Western Tigray Zone. HRW describes this as an “ethnic cleansing campaign” ongoing since the conflict began in November 2020, involving alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity, such as arbitrary detention, torture, and forced deportation.
Adding to these concerns, twenty-seven Tigray-based civil society organizations recently issued an urgent call to address the surge in gender-based violence against women. These groups have criticized the Tigray Transitional Government’s security and justice institutions for their failure to prevent these crimes and hold perpetrators accountable. Selamawit Giday, head of the Rise and Shine Women’s Protection Center, stressed the profound societal impact of this violence and urged the regional administration to enforce the law with integrity and accountability.
The severity of the situation is underscored by a Mekelle city police report, which revealed alarming statistics: over the past eleven months, 12 women were murdered, 80 raped, 10 kidnapped, and 178 faced attempted murder.
As the Tigray Interim Administration embarks on this new initiative, the region and the world will be watching closely to see if these measures can restore peace and security to a community long plagued by conflict and violence.
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