A recent report from Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) alleges that Ethiopian government forces deliberately executed three of their aid workers in Tigray in June 2021. The charity's investigation suggests that the troops knew they were targeting identifiable humanitarian workers, intensifying discussions about accountability and safety for aid personnel in conflict zones.
Allegations of Executions of Aid Workers in Tigray Conflict Surface
Allegations of Executions of Aid Workers in Tigray Conflict Surface
Médecins Sans Frontières claims Ethiopian troops executed three of their humanitarian workers during the Tigray conflict, raising concern over the safety of aid personnel in conflict zones.
Ethiopian government forces are accused of executing three employees of the humanitarian charity Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) during a mission in the Tigray region four years ago, as reported by Raquel Ayora, the general director of MSF Spain. This allegation emerged alongside MSF's recent findings which labeled the killings as "intentional and targeted." The tragic incident is said to have involved a Spanish national, María Hernández Matas, and two Ethiopian colleagues, Yohannes Halefom Reda and Tedros Gebremariam, who were gunned down on June 24, 2021.
"They were executed," Ayora stated emphatically, noting that the victims were shot at close range while clearly wearing MSF vests and traveling in a vehicle adorned with the charity's logos. Despite repeated requests and 20 meetings over four years, MSF claims the Ethiopian government has not provided a satisfactory explanation regarding the circumstances of the deaths.
The devastating Tigray conflict erupted in late 2020 following escalating tensions between the regional and federal governments, exacerbated by Eritrea's involvement alongside Ethiopian forces. A peace agreement was reached two years later, with various estimates suggesting that around 600,000 died as a result of the conflict due to hostilities, starvation, and lack of medical care.
As the violence escalated, so did hostility towards aid workers in Tigray. Ayora expressed the pain of losing Ms. Matas, who had dedicated years to serving the people of Tigray, noting that she was a beloved presence in the region. Similarly, she highlighted the tragedy of Mr. Tedros, who was killed shortly after welcoming a newborn daughter.
According to MSF’s investigation, the location and circumstances of the killings have been corroborated by satellite data and eyewitness accounts, implicating Ethiopian troops directly. Witnesses reportedly overheard communication between officers directing soldiers to engage the aid workers upon identifying their vehicle.
In response to these grave allegations, Ethiopia's Ministry of Justice has verbally indicated that their preliminary findings did not link government troops to the attacks, though they've withheld documentation. This lack of clarity has prompted MSF to press for accountability amidst rising fatalities of aid workers worldwide, emphasizing the crucial need for protections in dangerous environments.
