For two years, the village of “Ura Amba” found itself besieged in the midst of a fierce war between the “Vano” fighters and the Ethiopian federal forces, which put this peaceful society in the heart of a conflict that has no camel or camel in it.
“Ura Amba” village: Salam Island in a sea of conflicts
Argash Noro stood up sadly in the wealthy green hills in the Amhara region, saying, “We are used to watching the sunset from here, but it has become a scene from the past.”
The villagers are no longer able to exceed its borders safely. “Noro”, the thirty -year -old tourist and tourist guide, says that the sounds of shots are hesitant from time to time, while some parents were kidnapped, and schools were forcibly closed.
“The political situation turns our lives upside down,” she adds, in her eyes.
Ethiopia and its repeated struggle
This was not the first time that Ethiopia has suffered instability. The country witnessed bloody conflicts, most notably the Tigray War (2020-2022), which claimed the lives of 600,000 people.
However, for a long time “Ura Amba” has been a unique model of peaceful societies. The village was established in the 1970s as an equal society, where everyone shares work and responsibilities without gender discrimination.
Despite the chaos that struck large parts of the country, this small spot was a haven for peace, relying on a social system based on dialogue and justice.
Ura Amba has received international attention, as officials from the United Nations, the Red Cross and Oxfam visited it to monitor this unique social model in the region.
The conflict intensified in Amhara
But since 2023, violence has escalated in the province of Amhara, the home of churches engraved into the rocks in La Libella, and the historical fortress of Gondar.
Clashes erupted when Ethiopian Prime Minister Abi Ahmed tried to integrate regional forces in the Federal Army, which sparked fierce resistance from the “Vano” armed group.
Since then, human rights reports have documented murder, sexual violations, and arbitrary arrests committed by the two parties.
The “International Crisis Group” described the conflict as “a war that gets more dangerous”, while Amnesty International called for an international investigation, and “Human Rights Watch” condemned what it described as “war crimes.”
“The region is in a deep shock, and the destruction is tremendous,” said researcher Pantheyu Shivro Cane, a specialist in the Ethiopian affairs and resident in Canada.
“Ura Amba” in the range of fire
With the escalation of violence, the peaceful society in Ura Amba is no longer immune to the repercussions.
“Our economy has been based on self -sufficiency, but now it is on the brink of collapse,” explains Noro, who works within the local cooperative that manages resources and income to support the elderly house and orphans.
Previously, the village was a tourist destination that received thousands of visitors annually, from tourists and school students. They could overnight at the village hostel, buy handicrafts and local products, providing a sustainable source of income.
But all of this was dissipated overnight.
“We were telling visitors the story of our peaceful village, but now, no one dares to come,” says Warxio Mohamed, 25 -year -old tour guide.
Palvant economy and lack of security
The crisis was not limited to the loss of tourism. The sale of agricultural products, such as corn and tent, has become risky, as armed gangs dominate the roads and plundered passengers.
“Trade has been completely paralyzed. Mobility has become dangerous, and sometimes impossible. As income stops, life has become more cruel,” says Ayaliso Zomer, one of the local farmers.
In addition, the authorities cut the Internet in the region to prevent the rebels from communicating, which increased the isolation of the population.
Alamo Nourhak, a university student studying information technology, says he was unable to continue his studies upon his return to his village because of the interruption of the network.
In 2019, “Ura Amba” funded the construction of a school that donated the state, but was closed last year after the “Vano” fighters forced the teachers to stop teaching, considering that it is a “government institution”.
“The government wanted the school to continue, but” Vano “prevented her. The result is that the children are the victim.”
Kidnapping and threats
In 2023, a resident of the village was kidnapped by gunmen demanding a ransom of one million Ethiopian Bir (about 7,900 dollars). So far, the community has not been able to collect the full amount.
Zomra Noro, the village’s founder, was also forced to flee with his son to the capital Addis Ababa, after he miraculously survived the kidnapping attempt to target him.
“Unless Abi Ahmed changes his policies towards Vano, violence will continue.” Al -Amahr feels marginalized, and there is no political will to involve them after the peace agreement that ended the Tigray conflict in 2022, “said researcher Chani.
Anonymous future
According to the report of the “United Nations Commission for Human Rights” issued in June 2024, the federal and militia forces committed severe violations, including torture and execution outside the law, while the struggle has caused 4 million children to deprive.
“Military solutions have not ended any conflict in Ethiopia. Peace can only be achieved through a comprehensive political dialogue. The continuation of the fighting may lead to the collapse of the state, which threatens the stability of the entire region,” Chani says.
“We only want peace.”
As for the residents of “Ura Amba”, they still dream of getting out of this nightmare.
“We believe that conflicts can be resolved by dialogue and rationality,” says Zomra Noro, the founder of the 76 -year -old community, who now lives in Addis Ababa.
This is not the first time that the village has faced an ordeal. Its population was expelled in 1988 during the rule of the Communist military regime, and they were unable to return until 1993 after its fall.
Noro concludes his speech with optimism despite everything:
“We have survived many conflicts in the past. With cooperation and joint action, we can overcome this pain, restore peace to our village, and to all Ethiopia.”
(Tagstotranslate) Policy (T) Africa (T) Ethiopia