On November 28, 2024, Tigrayans gathered in Axum and other locations to commemorate the Axum massacre, one of the most horrifying events of the Tigray War. The massacre, committed by Eritrean Defence Forces (EDF) over two days in 2020, claimed lives ranging between 800 and 1,000 civilians and churchgoers. The massacre happened on 28 and 29, 2020, the eve of the annual St. Mary of Zion celebration (Hidar 21 in the Tigray calendar), one of the holiest days in the Ethiopian Orthodox calendar.
While the atrocity stands out for its scale and brutality, it was one among many. There were other massacres in Mai Kadra, Adwa-Mariyam shewito, Mariyam Dengelat, Selewa, Adi-Daero, Shire, and other locations demonstrating a pervasive pattern of violence by the Amhara Special and Militia forces, Ethiopian Defence Forces and Eritrean military with the supply of war drones from Turkey and UAE during the two years long genocidal war. Yet, four years later, justice for these massacres remains elusive, exposing failures at multiple levels.
A Systemic Failure of Accountability
Despite the Pretoria ceasefire agreement of November 2022, little progress has been made in addressing Tigray’s predicaments. The Ethiopian federal government appears uninterested in resolving these challenges, exacerbating the suffering through continued exploitation and neglect. This inaction has deepened the disillusionment of survivors and Tigrayan advocates, who fear for their community’s survival, let alone the prospect of justice.
Tigrayans have consistently argued that the atrocities committed against them amount to genocide, not merely crimes against humanity or war crimes. They have repeatedly called for international recognition of this distinction, but these pleas have largely fallen on deaf ears.
The international community has remained inactive. While organizations such as Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and even the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission in the case of the Axum massacre have documented these atrocities, calls for independent investigations have been ignored. Tigrayans feel abandoned by global powers, whose attention has shifted away from their plight despite the ongoing suffering.
A Failed Leadership in Tigray
Adding to the pain is the widespread discontent with Tigray’s own political leadership. TPLF factions, resistance leaders during the war, are now failing their people in its aftermath. Their inability to provide political clarity, coupled with infighting for power and corruption, has hindered reconstruction and justice efforts. Educated Tigrayans are increasingly leaving the region due to the absence of jobs, security, and direction, contributing to a brain drain that threatens long-term recovery.
Demobilization of combatants, stipulated in the Pretoria agreement, was meant to occur alongside the return of displaced individuals and the restoration of occupied territories to Tigray’s administration. However, these conditions remain unmet. Many Tigrayan territories are still under occupation, internally displaced people and Tigrayan refugees in other countries have not been allowed to return, and the region remains mired in lawlessness and illegal resource exploitation.
The Axum Massacre: A Stark Reminder
The Axum massacre, documented in harrowing detail by international media and human rights organizations, epitomizes the immense suffering endured by Tigrayans. Survivors recounted the deliberate targeting of unarmed civilians, widespread looting, and the desecration of one of Ethiopia’s most historic cities. International media amplified survivors’ testimonies and their calls for justice in the months following the massacre, bringing global attention to the atrocities. However, the lack of action from international bodies, denial and obstruction by the Ethiopian federal government, and political disunity within Tigray have left this immense pain unaddressed.
For many Tigrayans, the memory of Axum is not just about past grief but an ongoing struggle for recognition and accountability. The international community’s failure to act decisively has deepened the region’s despair, while Ethiopia’s political leadership has completely sidestepped meaningful steps toward reconciliation. Meanwhile, internal divisions within Tigray’s leadership further exacerbate the crisis, diverting attention from the urgent tasks of governance, reconstruction, and the fight for justice.
Addressing these issues requires immediate action. International mechanisms must be deployed to investigate atrocities impartially, and global powers must pressure Ethiopia and Eritrea to comply with agreements. Within Tigray, a new political direction is needed—one that prioritizes the needs of survivors, the displaced, and the demobilized over factional disputes.
As Tigrayans mark this painful day of remembrance, their message is clear: justice is not optional but essential for healing and peace. Without accountability and a concerted effort to rebuild, the scars of the Tigray War will only deepen, leaving the region trapped in cycles of despair.