Canada is restoring military cooperation with Ethiopia despite genocide allegations linked to the Tigray conflict. This comes after a three-year suspension due to concerns over civilian casualties. The program will focus on non-lethal training, while critics question the resumption given ongoing human rights violations and the lack of accountability.
Canada has decided to resume military co-operation with Ethiopia despite the latter facing accusations of genocide and other military crimes in the ongoing Tigray conflict. This marks a shift from the three-year suspension of military ties due to extensive reports of civilian casualties caused by the Ethiopian military during the Tigray war. The reinvigorated relationship will reintegrate Ethiopia into Canada’s Military Training and Co-operation Program (MTCP), which encompasses over 60 participating nations aiming to enhance military capabilities in non-NATO countries.
According to an internal memo, the resumption of collaboration was communicated during discussions between Canadian officials and Ethiopian Defence Minister Aisha Mohammed. This renewed partnership will prioritize “non-lethal” cooperation. Canada perceives that Ethiopia has made some “initial progress” in establishing peace, human-rights accountability, and transitional justice for the atrocities committed in Tigray and in concurrent conflicts in Amhara and Oromia regions.
The reinstatement of military co-operation provides Canada with a strategic opportunity to engage Ethiopia on pressing human-rights concerns and reinforce its military influence in a geopolitically significant region. Nonetheless, the memo outlined Canadian apprehensions regarding ongoing civilian casualties resulting from Ethiopian airstrikes in Amhara and Oromia, particularly following reports of a drone attack that killed 16 civilians in Amhara amidst official talks.
As yet another concern, the escalation of tensions between Ethiopia and Eritrea is evident, with troop movements and heavy artillery reportedly being directed towards the Eritrean border. Andrée-Anne Poulin from the Department of National Defence indicated that Canada plans to implement only small-scale training activities with Ethiopia and expressed belief that re-engagement in the MTCP could foster positive changes within the Ethiopian Armed Forces.
Former Canadian justice minister Allan Rock has publicly condemned the decision to reinstate military co-operation, deeming it inappropriate without ensuring accountability for previous offenses. He stressed that simply enhancing the military capabilities of Ethiopia could lead to a resurgence of aggression against Tigrayans. Rock’s critique aligns with a broader sentiment cautioning against oversight of Ethiopian military behavior given its recent history.
Legal expert Sarah Teich also raised alarms about the potential for further human-rights violations, claiming that any resumption of military relations could be profoundly problematic, especially when the Ethiopian government has reportedly not sufficiently demonstrated accountability for past atrocities. Kyle Matthews, of the Montreal Institute for Global Security, emphasized that with ongoing internal conflicts and a lack of judicial accountability for military actions targeting civilians, Canada must proceed cautiously.
In conclusion, Canada’s decision to resume military collaboration with Ethiopia has sparked considerable controversy amidst ongoing allegations of human rights violations and genocide. While the Canadian government cites initial progress in human-rights accountability and peace initiatives as justification for this resurgence in military ties, critics emphasize the absence of justice for victims and the potential for exacerbated abuse. This situation necessitates careful monitoring and a commitment to protecting civilian rights, as Canada navigates its legal and ethical responsibilities in international military cooperation.
Original Source: www.theglobeandmail.com
