MSF Accuses Ethiopian Government Forces of Executing Humanitarian Workers in Tigray
A Tragic Incident: The Execution of Three Aid Workers
In a shocking revelation, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has accused Ethiopian government forces of executing three of its employees during a humanitarian mission in the war-torn Tigray region four years ago. Raquel Ayora, MSF Spain's general director, stated unequivocally, “They were executed.” The victims included a Spanish national, María Hernández Matas, and two Ethiopian colleagues, Yohannes Halefom Reda and Tedros Gebremariam, who were killed on June 24, 2021.
Details of the Incident
According to Ayora, the three aid workers were shot at close range while identifiable in their MSF vests, with their vehicle clearly marked with the charity's logos. “They knew that they were killing humanitarian aid workers,” she emphasized, noting that their travel route had been shared in advance with the involved fighting groups.
The killings occurred during a period of escalating violence in Tigray, where Ethiopian and Eritrean troops were increasingly hostile towards aid workers. MSF's report indicates that the charity had engaged in 20 meetings with the Ethiopian government over the past four years, seeking a credible account of the deaths, but to no avail.
The Context of the Tigray Conflict
The Tigray conflict erupted in 2020 following a severe fallout between the regional and federal governments, with Eritrea joining the fray on the side of the Ethiopian National Defence Force (ENDF). The conflict, which lasted until a peace deal was brokered by the African Union in 2022, resulted in an estimated 600,000 deaths due to fighting, starvation, and lack of healthcare.
Personal Stories of Loss
The impact of the tragedy extends beyond the immediate loss of life. Ayora shared that María Hernández Matas had been a beloved figure in Tigray, having worked in the region before the war. Her death has been particularly devastating for her mother, as she was her only child.
Tedros Gebremariam was killed shortly after his wife gave birth to a baby girl, who was named Maria in honor of his fallen colleague. The bodies of Matas and Yohannes were discovered between 100m (300ft) and 400m (1,300ft) from their vehicle, which had been shot at multiple times and burned.
Eyewitness Accounts and Investigative Findings
MSF's investigation relied on satellite imagery, witness testimonies, and publicly available information regarding the Ethiopian military's movements at the time of the killings. The report claims that Ethiopian troops were present at the precise location of the incident. Witnesses reported overhearing an officer instructing a local commander to shoot at an approaching vehicle, followed by orders to “go and catch them” and “remove them.”
Despite MSF's efforts to engage with the Ethiopian government, officials from the justice ministry verbally informed the charity in mid-2022 that their preliminary investigation found government troops were not at the scene. However, this information was not provided in writing, leading MSF to continue advocating for accountability and an end to the impunity surrounding the killings of aid workers.
A Call for Justice
As the situation in Tigray continues to evolve, the allegations against Ethiopian government forces highlight the dangers faced by humanitarian workers in conflict zones. MSF's commitment to uncovering the truth and seeking justice for the slain aid workers underscores the urgent need for accountability in the face of violence against those dedicated to providing assistance to vulnerable populations.