UNRIC Library Backgrounder: Ethiopia

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UN Entities 

• United Nations in Ethiopa
  https://ethiopia.un.org/, https://unsdg.un.org/un-in-action/ethiopia
• United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), Addis Ababa Headquarters
  https://www.uneca.org/
• Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations –
  FAO in Emergencies – Ethiopia
  https://www.fao.org/emergencies/crises/ETH/en
  • Window for planting in northern Ethiopia narrows as hunger catastrophe looms (13 July 2021): http://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/1415987/icode/
• United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)
  https://www.unocha.org/ethiopia
  • ReliefWeb – Ethiopia: https://reliefweb.int/country/eth
  • UN allocates $40M from emergency funds to humanitarian response in Ethiopia (15 November 2021): https://www.unocha.org/story/un-allocates-40m-emergency-funds-humanitarian-response-ethiopia
  • USG/ERC Griffiths concludes mission to Ethiopia (9 November 2021): https://www.unocha.org/story/usgerc-griffiths-concludes-mission-ethiopia
  • UN releases US$65M for humanitarian response in Ethiopia as Tigray crisis worsens (6 May 2021): https://www.unocha.org/story/un-releases-us65m-humanitarian-response-ethiopia-tigray-crisis-worsens
  • UN emergency funding released for humanitarian response to Ethiopia’s Tigray conflict (17 December 2020): https://www.unocha.org/story/un-emergency-funding-released-humanitarian-response-ethiopia%E2%80%99s-tigray-conflict
• Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) – Ethiopia
  https://www.ohchr.org/en/countries/ethiopia
  • Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) Joint Investigation into Alleged Violations of International Human Rights, Humanitarian and Refugee Law Committed by all Parties to the Conflict in the Tigray Region of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia: https://digitallibrary.un.org/record/3947207
  • Tigray conflict: Report calls for accountability for violations and abuses by all parties
    (3 November 2021): https://www.ohchr.org/en/2021/11/tigray-conflict-report-calls-accountability-violations-and-abuses-all-parties
  • Enhanced interactive dialogue on the situation of human rights in the Tigray region of Ethiopia (13 September 2021): https://www.ohchr.org/en/2021/09/enhanced-interactive-dialogue-situation-human-rights-tigray-region-ethiopia
  • Update on joint UN and Ethiopian Human Rights Commission investigation on Tigray
    (10 September 2021): https://www.ohchr.org/en/2021/09/update-joint-un-and-ethiopian-human-rights-commission-investigation-tigray
  • Ethiopia: The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission to conduct a joint investigation with a view to a credible accountability process (25 March 2021): https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2021/03/ethiopia-office-united-nations-high-commissioner-human-rights-and-ethiopian
• International Organization for Migration (IOM) – Ethiopia
  https://www.iom.int/countries/ethiopia
• United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) – Ethiopia
  https://www.et.undp.org/
• United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) – Ethiopia
  • Ethiopia: From conflict to climate shocks, women and girls are disproportionately affected: https://www.unfpa.org/ethiopia-conflict-climate-shocks-women-and-girls-are-disproportionately-affected
• Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) – Ethiopia
  https://www.unhcr.org/ethiopia.html
  • Ethiopia Tigray emergency: https://www.unhcr.org/ethiopia-tigray-emergency.html
  • UNHCR seeks US$205 million to deliver life-saving assistance to over 1.6 million people affected by the northern Ethiopia conflict (4 March 2022): https://www.unhcr.org/news/briefing/2022/3/6221d7294/unhcr-seeks-us205-million-deliver-life-saving-assistance-16-million-people.html
  • UNHCR regains access to Tigray refugee camps, calls for emergency funds to scale up assistance (10 August 2021): https://www.unhcr.org/news/briefing/2021/8/611232a04/
  • News comment: UNHCR latest update on deteriorating situation of Eritrean refugees in Tigray (15 June 2021): https://www.unhcr.org/news/press/2021/7/60f062d04/
• World Food Programme (WFP) – Ethiopia
  https://www.wfp.org/countries/ethiopia
  • Severe hunger tightens grip on northern Ethiopia (28 January 2022): https://www.wfp.org/news/severe-hunger-tightens-grip-northern-ethiopia
  • WFP, UNHCR, RRS appeal for funding to continue feeding over 750,000 refugees in Ethiopia (9 August 2022): https://www.wfp.org/news/wfp-unhcr-rrs-appeal-funding-continue-feeding-over-750000-refugees-ethiopia
  • Severe hunger tightens grip on northern Ethiopia (28 January 2022): https://www.wfp.org/news/severe-hunger-tightens-grip-northern-ethiopia
  • WFP, UNHCR, ARRA appeal for funding to avoid ration cuts to over 700,000 refugees in Ethiopia (5 November 2021): https://www.wfp.org/news/wfp-unhcr-arra-appeal-funding-avoid-ration-cuts-over-700000-refugees-ethiopia
  • WFP completes first round of food distributions in Afar and Amhara; still lacks necessary supplies to reach targeted populations in Tigray (5 October 2021): https://www.wfp.org/news/wfp-completes-first-round-food-distributions-afar-and-amhara-still-lacks-necessary-supplies
  • WFP expands emergency response as up to 7 million people face hunger crisis in northern Ethiopia (7 September 2021): https://www.wfp.org/news/wfp-expands-emergency-response-7-million-people-face-hunger-crisis-northern-ethiopia
  • WFP delivers food to another 1 million people in Tigray during June and July but is only reaching half of those it should be (9 August 2021): https://www.wfp.org/news/wfp-delivers-food-another-1-million-people-tigray-during-june-and-july-only-reaching-half
  • World Food Programme convoy reaches Tigray, many more are vital to meet growing needs (12 July 2021): https://www.wfp.org/news/world-food-programme-convoy-reaches-tigray-many-more-are-vital-meet-growing-needs
• World Health Organization (WHO) – Ethiopia
  https://www.afro.who.int/countries/ethiopia

Security Council

• Meetings in 2021: 8 November, 6 October, 15 September, 26 August, 8, 2 July – Peace and Security in Africa
  Meeting records, press releases and resolutions:
  https://www.un.org/securitycouncil/content/meetings-2020-vtc
  https://research.un.org/en/docs/sc/quick/meetings/2021
  • Security Council Press Statement on Ethiopia (SC/14691, 5 November 2021): https://www.un.org/press/en/2021/sc14691.doc.htm
  • Security Council Press Statement on Ethiopia (SC/14501, 22 April 2021): https://www.un.org/press/en/2021/sc14501.doc.htm
• Meetings in 2020: 29 June – Peace and Security in Africa
  https://www.un.org/securitycouncil/content/meetings-2020-vtc
  http://research.un.org/en/docs/sc/quick/meetings/2020

Human Rights Council

• International Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia: https://www.ohchr.org/en/hr-bodies/hrc/ichre-ethiopa/index
  • Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia to Conduct First Visit in the Country (25 July 2022): https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2022/07/commission-human-rights-experts-ethiopia-conduct-first-visit-country
  • Human Rights Council decides to establish an International Commission of Human Rights Experts to investigate allegations of violations in Ethiopia (17 December 2021): https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2021/12/human-rights-council-decides-establish-international-commission-human-rights
• 33rd special session of the Human Rights Council on the grave human rights situation in Ethiopia – 17 December 2021: https://www.ohchr.org/en/hr-bodies/hrc/special-sessions/session33/33-special-session
  • Human Rights Council to hold a Special Session on 17 December to Address the “Grave Human Rights Situation in Ethiopia” (13 December 2021): https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2021/12/human-rights-council-hold-special-session-17-december-address-grave-human

Selected UN Documents

• UN Member States on the Record: Ethiopia
  https://www.un.org/en/library/unms
  This site provides access to information about membership and statements of Member States at the United Nations.
• A/HRC/51/46 (19 September 2022): Report of the International Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia (Advance unedited version): https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/hrbodies/hrcouncil/regularsession/session51/2022-09-19/A_HRC_51_46_AdvanceUneditedVersion.docx
• A/HRC/RES/47/13: Situation of human rights in the Tigray region of Ethiopia: resolution / adopted by the Human Rights Council on 13 July 2021: http://undocs.org/A/HRC/RES/47/13
• Further documents on Ethiopia – click here
• Documents on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam – click here

 Selected Statements and Speeches by UN Officials

• Statement by Alice Wairimu Nderitu, Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide, condemning the recent escalation of fighting in Ethiopia (19 October 2022): https://www.un.org/en/genocideprevention/documents/SA-Statement-on-Ethiopia.pdf
• Ethiopia: UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk warns of devastating impact of continued hostilities on civilians (18 October 2022): https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2022/10/ethiopia-un-human-rights-chief-volker-turk-warns-devastating-impact
• Secretary-General gravely concerned by escalation of fighting in Tigray, Ethiopia (SG/SM/21534, 15 October 2022): https://press.un.org/en/2022/sgsm21534.doc.htm
• Statement by Executive Director of WFP on seizure of humanitarian fuel supplies in Tigray (25 August 2022): https://www.wfp.org/news/statement-executive-director-wfp-seizure-humanitarian-fuel-supplies-tigray
• Secretary-General welcomes announcement by Regional Government of Tigray on cessation of hostilities in Northern Ethiopia (SG/SM/21444, 11 September 2022): https://press.un.org/en/2022/sgsm21444.doc.htm
• Statement from Martin Griffiths, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, about Ethiopia (25 August 2022): https://reliefweb.int/node/3880180
• Inter-religious clashes in Ethiopia / delivered by Michele Bachelet, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (7 May 2022): https://www.ohchr.org/en/statements/2022/05/inter-religious-clashes-ethiopia
• Welcoming news of food aid reaching Ethiopia’s Tigray, Afar Regions, Secretary-General reiterates call to restore public services (SG/SM/21232, 6 April 2022): https://press.un.org/en/2022/sgsm21232.doc.htm
• Welcoming Ethiopian Government’s declaration of indefinite humanitarian truce, Secretary-General urges all parties to take steps towards lasting ceasefire (SG/SM/21207, 25 March 2022): https://press.un.org/en/2022/sgsm21207.doc.htm
• Press Conference by Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed at United Nations Headquarters (DSG/SM/1689, 11 February 2022): https://press.un.org/en/2022/dsgsm1689.doc.htm
• Invoking Olympic Truce, Secretary-General makes ‘strongest possible’ appeal for all parties in Ethiopia to immediately cease hostilities (SG/SM/21129, 1 February 2022): https://press.un.org/en/2022/sgsm21129.doc.htm
• Welcoming demonstrable effort by government, Tigray Peoples Liberation Front to resolve violent conflict in Ethiopia, Secretary-General urges rapid cessation of hostilities (SG/SM/21109, 19 January 2022): https://press.un.org/en/2022/sgsm21109.doc.htm
• Secretary-General deeply saddened by deadly air strikes in Northern Ethiopia (SG/SM/21102, 10 January 2022): https://www.un.org/press/en/2022/sgsm21102.doc.htm
• Secretary-General welcomes release of numerous detainees in Ethiopia (SG/SM/21099, 7 January 2022): https://www.un.org/press/en/2022/sgsm21099.doc.htm
• Secretary-General welcomes pause by Ethiopia’s National Defence Force, announced withdrawal of Tigrayan Forces from Afar, Amhara Regions (SG/SM/21090, 24 December 2021): https://www.un.org/press/en/2021/sgsm21090.doc.htm
• Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights Urges All Parties to Pull Back from a Posture of War in Ethiopia (17 December 2021): https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2021/12/deputy-high-commissioner-human-rights-urges-all-parties-pull-back-posture
• Statement by Mr Victor Madrigal-Borloz, Chair of the Coordination Committee of Special Procedures, at the thirty-third special session of the Human Rights Council on the grave human rights situation in Ethiopia (17 December 2021): https://www.ohchr.org/en/2021/12/grave-human-rights-situation-ethiopia
• Special Session of the Human Rights Council on the grave human rights situation in Ethiopia, Statement by Nada Al-Nashif, UN Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights, 17 December 2021: https://www.ohchr.org/en/2021/12/special-session-human-rights-council-grave-human-rights-situation-ethiopia
• Reiterating call for immediate release of United Nations Staff in Ethiopia, Secretary-General urges parties to end hostilities, prioritize civilians (SG/SM/21029, 16 November 2021): https://www.un.org/press/en/2021/sgsm21029.doc.htm
• DiCarlo: Risk of Ethiopia descending into a widening civil war is only too real – Remarks to the Security Council on Ethiopia, Under-Secretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo, 8 November 2021: https://dppa.un.org/en/dicarlo-risk-of-ethiopia-descending-widening-civil-war-is-only-too-real
• Secretary-General extremely concerned over declared state of emergency in Ethiopia (SG/SM/21001, 2 November 2021): https://www.un.org/press/en/2021/sgsm21001.doc.htm
• Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Martin Griffiths statement on Ethiopia, 22 October 2021: https://reliefweb.int/node/3785055
• Secretary-General sounds alarm over obstructed aid delivery, rights violations, expulsion of United Nations Staff, addressing Security Council on Ethiopia (SG/SM/20954, 6 October 2021): https://www.un.org/press/en/2021/sgsm20954.doc.htm
• Secretary-General shocked by Ethiopian Government’s declaration of United Nations Staff as persona non grata, expressing full confidence in their life-saving work (SG/SM/20944, 30 September 2021): https://www.un.org/press/en/2021/sgsm20944.doc.htm
• Enhanced interactive dialogue on the situation of human rights in the Tigray region of Ethiopia, 48th session of the Human Rights Council, Statement by United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, 13 September 2021: https://www.ohchr.org/en/2021/09/enhanced-interactive-dialogue-situation-human-rights-tigray-region-ethiopia
• Humanitarian catastrophe unfolding before our eyes, Secretary-General tells Security Council, warning Ethiopia’s youth will be ultimate casualties (SG/SM/20866, 26 August 2021): https://www.un.org/press/en/2021/sgsm20866.doc.htm
• Statement by UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore on reported killing of hundreds of civilians, including children, in Afar, northern Ethiopia (9 August 2021): https://uni.cf/3yQekjG
• Press statement on the ERC’s visit to Ethiopia (4 August 2021): https://www.unocha.org/story/press-statement-erc%E2%80%99s-visit-ethiopia
• Note to Correspondents: Statement by Alice Wairimu Nderitu, United Nations Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide, on the continued deterioration of the situation in Ethiopia (30 July 2021): https://bit.ly/3Ahxr6R
• News comment: UNHCR latest update on deteriorating situation of Eritrean refugees in Tigray (15 July 2021): https://www.unhcr.org/news/press/2021/7/60f062d04/
• Statement by UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi on the situation of Eritrean refugees in Ethiopia’s Tigray Region (13 July 2021): https://www.unhcr.org/news/press/2021/7/60ed3d3a4/
• Secretary-General welcomes Prime Minister’s assurance on access to Ethiopia’s Tigray region, reiterates call for protection of civilians (SG/SM/20821, 9 July 2021): https://www.un.org/press/en/2021/sgsm20821.doc.htm
• Statement by Acting Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Ramesh Rajasingham – Briefing to the Security Council on the humanitarian situation in Ethiopia (2 July 2021): https://reliefweb.int/node/3753178
• Recent events in Ethiopia’s Tigray region ‘extremely worrisome’, Secretary-General says (SG/SM/20804, 28 June 2021): https://www.un.org/press/en/2021/sgsm20804.doc.htm
• Secretary-General deeply shocked by ‘unacceptable’ killing of humanitarian workers in Ethiopia’s Tigray region, saying perpetrators must be found, punished (SG/SM/20799, 26 June 2021): https://www.un.org/press/en/2021/sgsm20799.doc.htm
• Comment by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet on the killing of humanitarian workers in Tigray, Ethiopia (26 June 2021): https://www.ohchr.org/en/2021/06/comment-un-high-commissioner-human-rights-michelle-bachelet-killing-humanitarian-workers
• Strongly condemning air strike on village in Ethiopia’s Tigray region, Secretary-General reiterates need to protect civilians (SG/SM/20798, 25 June 2021): https://www.un.org/press/en/2021/sgsm20798.doc.htm
• Statement by Acting Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Ramesh Rajasingham, on Tigray (25 June 2021): https://reliefweb.int/node/3751148
• Statement by Acting Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Ramesh Rajasingham, on Tigray (23 June 2021): https://reliefweb.int/node/3750255
• Ensure all voters can cast ballots freely, peacefully in Ethiopia elections, Secretary-General urges, calling for rejection of incitement, hate speech (SG/SM/20786, 19 June 2021): https://www.un.org/press/en/2021/sgsm20786.doc.htm
• Statement by Principals of the Inter-Agency Standing Committee on Gender-Based Violence in Tigray region of Ethiopia (23 March 2021): https://bit.ly/3AwPKVB
• Ethiopia: Persistent, credible reports of grave violations in Tigray underscore urgent need for human rights access – Bachelet (4 March 2021): https://www.ohchr.org/en/2021/03/ethiopia-persistent-credible-reports-grave-violations-tigray-underscore-urgent-need-human
• Secretary-General, concerned about situation in Ethiopia’s Tigray region, calls for sustained, impartial and unimpeded humanitarian access (SG/SM/20563, 2 February 2021): https://www.un.org/press/en/2021/sgsm20563.doc.htm
• Provide unhindered access to whole of Tigray to protect civilians, Bachelet urges Ethiopia
  (22 December 2020): https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2020/12/provide-unhindered-access-whole-tigray-protect-civilians-bachelet-urges
• USG Op-ed: Humanitarian workers must be allowed to help in Ethiopia without fear of attack (11 December 2020): https://www.unocha.org/story/usg-op-ed-humanitarian-workers-must-be-allowed-help-ethiopia-without-fear-attack
• Exceedingly worrying and volatile situation in Ethiopia – Bachelet (9 December 2020): https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2020/12/exceedingly-worrying-and-volatile-situation-ethiopia-bachelet
• Very concerned by situation in Ethiopia’s Tigray province, Secretary-General calls for quickly restoring rule of law, public services delivery (SG/SM/20478, 7 December 2020): https://www.un.org/press/en/2020/sgsm20478.doc.htm
• Secretary-General urges civilian protection, humanitarian access in Ethiopia, amid reports of potential military offensive against Tigray regional capital (SG/SM/20450, 24 November 2020): https://www.un.org/press/en/2020/sgsm20450.doc.htm
• Ethiopia: Threat of major hostilities in Mekelle seriously imperils civilian lives – Bachelet
  (24 November 2020): https://www.ohchr.org/en/statements/2020/11/ethiopia-threat-major-hostilities-mekelle-seriously-imperils-civilian-lives
• Secretary-General commends appointments of African Union Envoys to help resolve conflict in Ethiopia, affirms full United Nations support (SG/SM/20436, 20 November 2020): https://www.un.org/press/en/2020/sgsm20436.doc.htm
• Ethiopia – Bachelet expresses alarm as Tigray conflict “risks spiralling out of control”
  (13 November 2020): https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2020/11/ethiopia-bachelet-expresses-alarm-tigray-conflict-risks-spiralling-out
• Ethiopia: Bachelet calls for de-escalation amid alarming developments in Tigray and Oromia regions (6 November 2020): https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2020/11/ethiopia-bachelet-calls-de-escalation-amid-alarming-developments-tigray-and
• Secretary-General expresses alarm over reported clashes in Ethiopia’s Tigray region, calls for immediate de-escalation of tensions (SG/SM/20396, 4 November 2020): https://www.un.org/press/en/2020/sgsm20396.doc.htm
• Secretary-General expresses grave concern over reported intercommunal violence in Ethiopia (SG/SM/20394, 3 November 2020): https://www.un.org/press/en/2020/sgsm20394.doc.htm
• Secretary-General encouraged by good progress in Trilateral Talks to reach agreement over Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (SG/SM/20088, 19 May 2020): https://www.un.org/press/en/2020/sgsm20088.doc.htm

Further Information

• Repertoire of the Practice of the Security Council – The situation between Eritrea and Ethiopia (1996 – 2009): https://www.un.org/securitycouncil/content/repertoire/africa#cat18
• UNMEE – United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (2000 – 2008): https://unmee.unmissions.org

Non-UN Sources 

• African Union – Ethiopia
  https://au.int/en/countries/ethiopia
• Security Council Report – Ethiopia
  https://www.securitycouncilreport.org/ethiopia/
• The New Humanitarian (formerly “IRIN News”) – Ethiopia
  https://www.thenewhumanitarian.org/africa/east-africa/ethiopia

19 October 2022
not an official document – for information only
https://unric.org/en/unric-library-backgrounder-ethiopia/