441-01434 (Foreign affairs)

The Government of Canada welcomed the Permanent Cessation of Hostilities Agreement signed between the Government of Ethiopia and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front on November 2, 2022, as a necessary step toward peace and security and noted the importance of the commitment to an immediate and permanent ceasefire. Following the agreement, Canada commended all parties involved in the African-led peace process, including the African Union, offered Canadian support for implementation, and called on all parties to prioritize the protection of civilians and humanitarian needs. Canada supports the signatories and all Ethiopians as they continue to take concrete steps toward the implementation of the Agreement, a comprehensive and lasting peace, inclusive national dialogue, and reconciliation.

The Government of Canada continues to call upon all parties to fulfill their obligation to allow and facilitate safe, rapid and unimpeded humanitarian access to those in need throughout Ethiopia. In early 2023, Canada committed $1.4 million to programming focused on protecting people in Northern Ethiopia—including Tigray—from the threats posed by new Explosive Remnants of War and to facilitate the safe delivery of humanitarian assistance.

Canada has also repeatedly and publicly called for the swift withdrawal of Eritrean forces from northern Ethiopia, including through public joint statements with likeminded countries. On September 22, 2022, officials of the Government of Canada spoke at the OHCHR and denounced the resumption of hostilities in northern Ethiopia, urged all parties to cease violence immediately, respect human rights and implement accountability measures, and called for the immediate withdrawal of Eritrean Defence Forces.

Canada continues to press the Government of Ethiopia for justice and accountability for victims and survivors of human rights violations and abuses resulting from the conflict in northern Ethiopia. This has included Canada being a signatory to two resolutions at the United Nations Human Rights Council in 2021, and continuing to press parties to uphold their legal obligations under both international human rights and humanitarian law.

In addition, Canada supports efforts underway in Ethiopia to implement social and economic reforms, including efforts to strengthen the capacity to uphold fundamental freedoms and foster inclusive dialogue. In this regard, the Government of Canada has funded programs that seek to strengthen Ethiopia’s democratic institutions and the conduct of free and fair elections, with a special focus on ensuring the participation of women, youth and ethnic groups, in the electoral process.

Moreover, Canada works closely with its humanitarian partners, including United Nations agencies, the Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement, and non-governmental organizations, to help populations affected by crisis in Ethiopia, based on need. In 2022, Canada’s humanitarian funding for Ethiopia totalled nearly $66 million to assist people affected by conflict, insecurity, and drought. This funding helped to provide food, treatment for acute malnutrition and other critical healthcare, access to safe water and sanitation, emergency shelter and essential household items, and protection services to those in need. Canada is continuing to provide support for humanitarian assistance in response to needs throughout Ethiopia in 2023. It does not provide humanitarian assistance funding directly to local authorities, including in Ethiopia.

Canada continues to urge meaningful action toward the implementation of the recommendations in the joint report undertaken by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) which are based on a joint investigation into the allegations of human rights violations and abuses, and serious violations of international humanitarian law committed by parties to the conflict. Additionally, Canada continues to press the Government of Ethiopia to deliver on its commitments to credible and transparent human rights investigations.

In early 2023, Canada committed $2 million to programming focused on advancing recommendations drawn from the OHCHR-EHRC joint investigation and more broadly, to positively advance transitional justice and accountability options in Ethiopia. Canada encourages Ethiopia to undertake credible and independent investigations, aligned with international standards. Canada views accountability for human rights abuses as crucial to a sustainable peace.