Ethiopia's Internal Strife: A Personal Account of War

The article delves into the transformative experiences of healthcare workers amidst Ethiopia's ongoing turmoil, capturing the emotional and physical toll of war on lives caught in the crossfire.

The humanitarian crisis in Ethiopia has escalated since the onset of civil war in late 2020, tearing through communities and altering human lives in unimaginable ways. Dr. Mehari, a young physician from Axum, vividly recalls the moment the conflict erupted, forcing her to navigate dangerous streets to fulfill her medical duties. "I had to run from work to home almost every day,” she recounted, fearfully anticipating encounters with soldiers patrolling under curfews.

The chaos unfolded swiftly, as Mehari faced her first patients who were casualties of gun violence, an experience unlike anything she had ever seen before. The once stable nation, home to a myriad of ethnicities seeking recognition and autonomy, is experiencing deep fractures following the government's power struggle with the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF).

Originating from a repressive regime that dominated for nearly three decades, the TPLF's reluctance to relinquish control led to escalating clashes with the federal government, spearheaded by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, who ascended to power promising reform. Despite a Nobel Peace Prize recognizing his efforts to forge peace with Eritrea, the ensuing violence triggered a massive mobilization of military forces.

As Tigray's internal situation deteriorated, Mehari transitioned from physician to medic within the Tigray Defense Forces, confronting the brutal realities of war head-on, while the civilian toll continued to rise. The stories she heard daily from her patients painted a grim picture—neighbors and family members fallen victim to armed confrontations or airstrikes. "It was too much to process,” she expressed, highlighting the profound psychological toll the war has taken on her and those around her.

Ethiopia continues to grapple with a complex web of ethnic tensions and a prolonged struggle for power, raising urgent questions about the future of its diverse population. The stories of individuals like Mehari bring to light the intertwined fates of communities enveloped in strife, exposing both the courage and desperation that characterize their fight for survival in these trying times.