In the center of Ethiopia’s busy capital, a group of women danced with joy, proudly waving a flag adorned with the emblem of the war-torn Tigray region—a scene that would have been unimaginable just a year ago.
The tumultuous two-year conflict between Ethiopia’s federal government and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front had led to widespread atrocities, including reports of severe human rights violations. These included heinous acts like sexual assaults committed by both sides and arbitrary mass detentions, particularly targeting ethnic Tigrayans, not just in Tigray but also in the capital, Addis Ababa, and elsewhere.
While the northern region faced an enormous humanitarian crisis with severe shortages of vital resources like food, fuel, cash, and medicines, Tigrayans living in other parts of Ethiopia felt compelled to keep a low profile, fearing ethnic profiling.
However, a glimmer of hope emerged with the signing of a peace agreement in November, bringing cautious optimism to the community. The women gathered to celebrate the traditional festival of Ashenda in Addis Ababa, marking a significant occasion and a clear departure from the previous year, as they celebrated for the first time since 2020.