By Adul Kimera
Since last year in November, Ethiopian government led by prime minister Abiy Ahmed has been at war with the Tigrayan rebel forces (Tplf).
Many lives have been lost, millions are displaced and property destroyed with the latest being in Afar south of Amhara region, last week.
On Tuesday 10th August, in a statement, the Nobel peace prize winning leader(2019) issued a call for all eligible citizens to join the government armed forces in fighting the one common enemy the Tigray Peoples Liberation Front that has injured many and left millions displaced according to UN reports.
The 36-page report by Amnesty International released on Wednesday, indicated that Ethiopian and Eritrean troops have raped hundreds of women and girls during the war subjecting some to sexual slavery and malnutrition.
Acts of sexual violence were wide spread, intended to instill fear, humiliate the victims and there ethnic groups and hundreds have been subjected to brutal treatment aimed at degrading and dehumanizing them and the alleged perpetrators include government soldiers and troops, Amhara forces from neighboring Eritrea, the Amnesty report says.
Some survivors interviewed said that they had been gang raped in rounds while held captive and others said they were raped in-front of their family members. “ This is what you deserve,” rapists told the victims, according to the report by Amnesty International.
While many are still complaining of physical trauma that include continued bleeding, back pains, immobility and fistula and others testing HIV positive after being raped, survivors still suffer significant physical and mental health complications yet justice is also not expected.
Health centers in Tigray have registered over 1,280 cases of gender based violence. Doctors say that many survivors do not come forward according to investigations.
