Call for a Special Session to Prevent Further Atrocities

• Civil society organizations are urging the UN Human Rights Council to convene a special session on Ethiopia.
• The call follows a large-scale resumption of armed hostilities in Ethiopia, risking further atrocity crimes.
• The Cessation of Hostilities Agreement, signed in November 2022, has effectively collapsed due to the renewed fighting.
• The groups propose an advisory panel of independent UN and African human rights experts to assess the situation and recommend actions.
• The conflict exacerbates a severe humanitarian crisis and threatens regional stability in the Horn of Africa.

This dramatic resurgence of violence signifies the effective collapse of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement (CoHA), which was signed in Pretoria in November 2022 between the Ethiopian Federal Government and the TPLF.

A significant escalation of armed hostilities has gripped Ethiopia, prompting grave concerns from international observers. On September 22, 2026, long-standing tensions between the Ethiopian Federal Government, led by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, and the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) erupted into widespread military confrontation. This renewed fighting, which has spread into the Afar and Amhara regions of northern Ethiopia, involves federal forces, including the Ethiopian National Defence Force (ENDF) and allied groups such as the Amhara Fano militia and the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA), clashing with the TPLF's Tigray Defence Force (TDF) and other regional factions. The Amhara Fano militia and OLA have reportedly formed an alliance with the TPLF and other regional groupings with the stated aim of toppling the federal government.

The conflict is characterized by heavy fighting, including the use of drone strikes, mortar attacks, and artillery fire. Reports indicate indiscriminate airstrikes in populated areas and against civilian infrastructure, actions that could potentially constitute war crimes. Fighting and aerial bombardments are ongoing in Tigray, notably near camps housing internally displaced persons in central Tigray, and in northern Amhara. Pro-government forces and the ENDF have reportedly seized several towns, including Mekelle, the regional capital. Furthermore, blasts were reported in Addis Ababa on October 1, following a directive from Ethiopia's National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS) prohibiting drones and other flying objects in the capital.

This dramatic resurgence of violence signifies the effective collapse of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement (CoHA), which was signed in Pretoria in November 2022 between the Ethiopian Federal Government and the TPLF. The renewed hostilities are also occurring against a backdrop of ongoing conflict in the Amhara and Oromia regions, further complicating the security landscape. Geopolitical tensions, including the cutting of diplomatic ties between Eritrea and Ethiopia, add another layer of complexity, with observers warning of the potential for external actors to fuel a broader regional conflict that could destabilize the entire Horn of Africa and the Red Sea area.

In response to the rapidly deteriorating human rights situation and the heightened risk of atrocity crimes, a coalition of civil society organizations has issued an urgent appeal to the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC). These groups are pressing for the immediate convening of a UN Human Rights Council Ethiopia special session to address the human rights impact of the escalating conflict. Their concern stems from the potential for a repetition of the severe atrocity crimes documented during the 2020-2022 conflict.

The civil society organizations specifically advocate for the adoption of a resolution during this special session, which would mandate the Council's President to establish an advisory panel of independent human rights experts. This proposed panel would comprise existing independent UN and African human rights experts, tasked with conducting a swift assessment of the situation. Following their evaluation, the experts would compile a summary report and provide recommendations on concrete steps the UNHRC could take to address the human rights crisis in Ethiopia. The ultimate goal is for the Council to be prepared to take further appropriate action to respond to developments in Ethiopia or the sub-region, to send a clear message of deterrence to all parties involved, and to ensure that those responsible for perpetrating, ordering, or facilitating violations are held accountable.

The resurgence of large-scale conflict is severely exacerbating an already dire humanitarian situation across northern Ethiopia. Essential services and critical supply routes are facing significant disruptions, impacting access to vital resources such as healthcare, internet and communication services, air travel, and banking facilities, including cash, mobile banking, and remittances. Many residents depend on these services for their survival, and their interruption compounds the suffering of the civilian population.

Recalling the previous conflict, the Ethiopian Government was documented to have deliberately obstructed commercial and humanitarian supplies, shut down banks, and imposed an effective siege on Tigray between 2020 and 2022. These historical actions, coupled with ongoing communication disruptions and access restrictions in conflict-affected areas, underscore the challenges faced by humanitarian efforts and the potential for further human rights violations. The call for a UN Human Rights Council Ethiopia special session is therefore not just about the current fighting, but also about establishing a mechanism to monitor and prevent a recurrence of such severe restrictions and potential atrocity crimes, ensuring that international humanitarian law is upheld and perpetrators are brought to justice.

Lawyers and compliance officers should monitor the UN Human Rights Council's response to this call for a special session, as it could lead to the establishment of an expert panel and increased international scrutiny. This heightened focus on human rights violations and the collapse of the peace agreement in Ethiopia signals elevated legal and reputational risks for businesses operating in or with the region, necessitating updated due diligence and potential advisories on sanctions or humanitarian law compliance.

Source: Reporting based on a joint civil society letter to the UN Human Rights Council.