Response to interpellation 2023/24:648 on the situation in Ethiopia
Translated from Swedish by AI; the translation may contain errors. The Swedish text is the original.
Summary AI, written in advance
The debate concerns the serious humanitarian situation and the ongoing conflicts in Ethiopia, particularly in the Amhara region. M argues that the conflicts have devastating consequences for the civilian population and that human rights abuses are unacceptable 1. M advocates for a broad political solution for the entire country, ongoing dialogue with the Ethiopian government, and the use of aid to support transitional justice and disarmament 1. S argues that the situation is extremely serious and that civilians are severely affected by both armed conflict and drought 2. S believes that the international community must act more strongly to protect civilians and that an independent investigation must be appointed 2.
Written by AI in advance and may contain errors. The numbers lead to the speech a statement builds on; check against the text below.
Utrikesministern Tobias Billström (M)
Madam Speaker! Alexandra Völker has asked me about what political initiatives I see as possible to take in international institutions, such as the EU and the UN, for peace and security in the Amhara region.
I want to first emphasize that I share Alexandra Völkers concern regarding the situation in Ethiopia. The conflicts in Ethiopia have over the past years had devastating consequences for the civilian population and worsened the already severe humanitarian situation in the country. The serious abuses and violations of human rights, of international humanitarian law, and of refugee law that have been committed are unacceptable. These must cease immediately, and those responsible need to be held accountable.
I also share Alexandra Völkers concern over the current situation in the Amhara region where civilians are constantly affected by violence and a lack of supplies. The continued challenging development in the Amhara region and other parts of Ethiopia shows that peace in Ethiopia cannot be built region by region. Sweden therefore advocates for a broad political solution that can enable a sustainable peace in the entire country, including in the Amhara region.
Sweden supports, together with the EU and the UN, an ongoing dialogue with the Ethiopian government and relevant actors to urge political solutions to the conflicts in the country. In the dialogue, we emphasize both the importance of continued implementation of the peace agreement between the Ethiopian government and the Tigray People's Liberation Front, TPLF, and of a broader political solution that includes more actors. In addition to the political dialogue, Sweden's and the EU's aid are important tools used to support the processes that Ethiopia has initiated to promote national dialogue, ensure transitional justice, and carry out disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration of former combatants.
Sweden consistently urges, together with the EU and the UN, that investigations be conducted into the crimes committed against human rights, international humanitarian law, and refugee law, and that accountability is demanded. Upholding human rights throughout the country and robust processes for accountability and transitional justice are fundamental to ensuring a sustainable peace. These processes are also necessary to enable reconciliation and to prevent future abuses and violations.
Sweden and the EU work clearly to ensure that the process for transitional justice is robust and transparent and shall be carried out according to international standards. We do this through clear and active action in the UN Human Rights Council, through assistance to the local office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, which in turn supports the independent Ethiopian HR Commission, as well as in dialogue with the Ethiopian government and other actors.
The humanitarian situation in Ethiopia is serious. The country has been affected by violent conflicts and natural disasters, such as the ongoing drought. Sweden's humanitarian aid to Ethiopia amounted to 393 million kronor last year, which means that Ethiopia was the largest recipient country of Swedish humanitarian aid during 2023. This year, Sida has so far allocated 240 million kronor to humanitarian aid in Ethiopia.
Sweden will continue to act actively and clearly to promote peace throughout Ethiopia and call for political dialogue, unhindered humanitarian access, and accountability for crimes against human rights.
Alexandra Völker (S)
Madam Speaker! The 2020s is in many ways a very dark decade. Not only are many parts of the development going in the wrong direction, as is the case regarding poverty and democracy. It is also a decade with many large conflicts and with great human suffering. Sometimes it is almost as if all conflicts do not find room, or space, in the political debate and in the public debate. One terrible humanitarian situation must not overshadow another. One is no less important than the other.
What we see in Ethiopia right now is extremely serious. The development in the region as a whole is worrying. In Ethiopia, war and armed conflict have been part of reality for far too many years. As always in these types of situations, the civilians are absolutely worst affected. Furthermore, the country is severely hit by climate change with severe drought affecting the possibilities to farm, the access to water, and the possibilities to have livestock. This means that the civilian population lives under extremely difficult circumstances.
When the peace agreement was concluded in Pretoria last year, many probably hoped that it would be the end of war and conflict. But we can state that not all of the Ethiopian people felt included in the peace process and in the peace agreement that was concluded. The Amharas have for a long time been subjected to repeated violence in several parts of the country. Now, new hostilities have flared up, and from the Amhara region we are now receiving recurring reports of attacks on civilians, of how the Ethiopian military carries out raids where civilians are harmed and also many times lose their lives, and of how attacks with drones kill women, children, and the elderly.
The UN has expressed great concern over reports of deliberate killing of civilians. The EU has also expressed the same concern. But we must nevertheless state that it is unfortunately quite quiet. It concerns women and children and civilian men. It is a terrible situation, and the international community must act more strongly. Civilians must be protected, the attacks must cease, and an independent investigation must be appointed.
I still wonder how the government is acting to increase the international community's engagement.
Source: The Swedish Parliament. The speeches come from the open data of the Riksdag, translated into English by AI, which may contain errors.