The Ethiopia Crisis: Unraveling the War and Humanitarian Challenges
Ethiopia has suffered immensely over the past few years due to its ongoing war and humanitarian crisis. Ethiopian citizens have demonstrated incredible bravery and unwavering determination in their tireless efforts to bring peace to the nation. This crisis is not a recent development, it’s the outcome of historical conflicts, power struggles, and enduring tensions that have persisted for decades.
Ethiopia has a fascinating history, with an ancient civilization that dates back thousands of years and a rich cultural heritage that includes diverse traditions and languages. The Askumite Empire played a significant role in Ethiopia’s early history and cultural integration. The Askumite empire was located in the northeastern part of Africa, specifically what is now modern-day Ethiopia and Eritrea. According to, “Foreword. Changing Settlement Patterns in the Askum-Yega Region of Ethiopia: 700 BC-AD 850,” by Joseph W. Michaels, the Askumite Kingdom emerged from AD 150 to AD 500 and brought significant growth and development to the region. Trade played a pivotal role in the economic growth and cultural exchange of the Askumite Kingdom. According to Michaels, the Askumite capital was a hot spot for trade. Michaels states “The capital was a major node in a network of urban centers that followed the major trade route from the port of Adulis to the Tigray highlands, following a route established in the Pre-Askumite times.” It is clear that trade was a big part of the Askumite kingdom that fostered economic prosperity and facilitated the exchange of diverse cultures and communities. According to Michaels, religion was heavily influenced by the trade. Michaels said, “Christianity came to Ethiopia via international contacts fostered by the trade network, and tradition attributes King Ezana with establishing it as the state religion in ca. AD 330.” Trade was a big part of Ethiopia’s history and it fostered different relationships.
Given Ethiopia’s rich history in trade, they prioritized safeguarding their key trade partners. According to Michaels, “ During the early 6th century AD Askum entered into a formal political alliance with the Eastern Roman Byzantine Empire which resulted in launching military campaigns in southern Arabia to protect Roman and Askumite trade interests in the region, then being threatened by Persian incursions.” The Askumite kingdom protected itself and its trade partners and according to Michaels, they were successful in defending themselves against Arabian campaigns. However, despite the Askumite Kingdom’s formidable defenses, it eventually disintegrated, giving rise to various kingdoms and political fragments in Ethiopia.
Ethiopia's bravery withstood multiple attempts by imperialist powers to seize control during the 18th and 19th centuries, successfully resisting each time. One particular country that Ethiopia resisted was Italy. Italy first attempted to conquer Ethiopia in 1896 but failed miserably. Italy took interest in conquering Ethiopia again in 1922. According to, “Fascist Colonialism: The Archaeology of Italian Outposts in Western Ethiopia ( 1936-1941), by Alfredo Gonzalez-Ruibal, Italian dictator, Mussolini, used Ethiopia as a means of reinforcing his power and bringing the Italians together against a common enemy. Mussolini believed that a successful conquest of Ethiopia would strengthen his rule and unite the Italian people by creating a sense of pride and solidarity. According to Gonzalez-Ruibal, Mussolini also believed that by conquering Ethiopia he could rebuild the Roman Empire and the current problems the Italians were facing. Gonzalez-Rubial said, “The dictator saw a war against Ethiopia as an occasion to reconstruct the Roman Empire, alleviate the economic problems derived from overpopulation and unemployment in Italy by establishing settler colonies in the Horn of Africa, and reshape Italian identity by buttersing new fascist values: manhood, aggressiveness, self-assurance, and warrior qualities.” Mussolini wanted to colonize Ethiopia to bring a new identity to Italy, an identity of dominance and authority. However, despite their best efforts Italy failed in taking over Ethiopia.
Despite Ethiopia’s resilience in defending itself, the country faced a period of turmoil from 1974 to 1991, marked by war, famine, and economic decline, leading to a sense of despair. According to, “The Impact of War, Famine, and Economic Decline of Marital Fertility in Ethiopia,” by David Lindstorm and Betemariam Berhau, the Ogaden troops, which were part of the Somali National Army. They launched an invasion of Ethiopia in 1977 and continued their attacks into the early 1980s. According to Lindstorm and Berhau as the wars grew Ethiopia was forced to expand its army. Lindstorm and Berhau said, “The army expanded its ranks through a policy of forced recruitment. In 1983 the government formalized the conscription process through the establishment of the National Military Service.” Ethiopia had to conscript young men to fight against the Somalians. Ethiopia also experienced political unrest within internal groups. Groups like the Tigray engaged in battles against their own Ethiopian government. According to Lindstorm and Berhau in 1985 the government launched a massive offensive against rebel forces in Tigray. While the offensive resulted in territorial gains for the Ethiopian government they failed to remove the rebels from their mountain bases. Eventually the Ethiopian government forces were overpowered by the rebel groups and by 1991 the government forces were disintegrated.
The political conflicts in Ethiopia during the 1980s resulted in famine affecting its citizens. It was a challenge to distribute the limited food aid that arrived in Ethiopia. According to, “Drought, War, and the Politics of Famine in Ethiopia and Eritrea,” by Edmond J Keller, the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization, (F.A.O), was concerned with the Ethiopian government’s ability to distribute the food aid that the country received. Keller also said that desperate pleas to alleviate the country’s hunger were ignored. The famine caused a great deal of devastation and loss for the country. Keller said, “Over 300,000 died in 1984. By 1985, almost 20% of Ethiopia’s 40 million inhabitants were at risk, and of these 2.5 million, in 12 of the country’s 14 provinces, were indeed starving. By the end of the following year the death toll had climbed to more than one million.” Lower income people like farmers struggled the most with the famine. According to Keller, “Peasant farmers found that it was increasingly difficult without oxen to maintain their fields.” Keller also said that in order to find food Ethiopian citizens would walk 50 to 60 miles a day to administrative centers and many would die on the way. When food assistance was provided, the fighting opposing groups made it difficult for Ethiopian citizens to receive aid. Keller said, “Armed conflict made it difficult not only to plant and harvest crops, but also to deliver assistance.” Ethiopian citizens faced immense hardships due to conflicts between the internal groups and the Ethiopian government. Access to food was scarce, resulting in numerous deaths while searching for aid.
Even though Ethiopia has made progress, humanitarian crises continue to arise in the country. In August 2023, the Ethiopia’s Council of Ministers, declared a state of emergency in the Amhara region. According to a news report by The Guardian, “Ethiopia Declares a State of Emergency in Amhara Amid Increasing Violence,” a state of emergency was declared because, “Armed extremist groups,” were posing a threat to public safety and causing significant damage. The Guardian article said, “Violence has flared across Amhara over a disputed plan to absorb regional security forces into the national army.” Ethiopian officials want to stop the opposing groups by bringing members of those groups into the main national army. The article said that even though opposing groups like the Fano are popular among Amhara, the government sees them as a threat to the constitutional order. The article said that the ongoing clashes between opposing groups and the Ethiopian military have resulted in widespread violence and loss of life throughout the Amhara region. The article said, “This week protestors put up roadblocks while Fano militiamen clashed with military units and took control of some towns, paralyzing Ethiopia’s second most populous region and resulting in an unknown number of casualties.” It is clear that the ongoing fights between opposing groups and the Ethiopia military is causing harm to its citizens. The article also said that along with violence the conflict is also causing economic hardships to Ethiopian citizens.
The current crisis in Ethiopia has been marked by intense conflict between opposing groups and the Ethiopian military leading to violence and loss of life. The violence and crisis is a culmination of years of political disagreements and the government’s inability to address the needs of the people. This failure has created a volatile situation leading to widespread unrest and conflict.
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