American Senator urges further probe into alleged TPLF crimes in northern Ethiopia

ADDIS ABABA – A United States Senator is calling on the international community to make further investigations into the alleged atrocities committed by the rebellious Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) days after a Human Rights Watch report suggested rapes and killing were committed under the TPLF control.

Witnesses have recounted how members of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) carried out dozens of executions and widespread vandalism as they retreat north to flee attack by Ethiopian federal forces, the Human Rights Watch said Friday in a report.

UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric also said the World Food Programme (WFP) had suspended food distribution after “massive looting of warehouses in Kombolcha in recent days, apparently by some Tigrayan rebels and members of the local population”.

The TPLF also immediately denied having looted any food stocks, including items for malnourished children, in the northern Ethiopian town of Kombolcha.

In a tweet, Sen. Jim Risch, R-Idaho said the reported crimes by the TPLF requires further investigations by the international community saying the parties to the Ethiopian conflict should reconcile their disagreements peacefully.

“The reported summary executions of civilians and other ghastly atrocities at the hands of pro-TPLF fighters in the Amhara require further investigation and action by the int’l community,” Sen. Risch said.

“Similar acts by all sides in Ethiopia’s war must end through dialogue–not more war.”