According to a report released by Doctors Without Borders (Médecins Sans Frontières), the Ethiopian government has been criticized for not conducting a thorough investigation into the murder of three of its aid workers in the Tigray region in June 2021. The report, which aims to shed light on the tragic incident, suggests that Ethiopian soldiers were likely responsible for the killings, emphasizing that these aid workers were clearly civilians serving to help communities during a civil war.
Raquel Ayora, a senior official of Doctors Without Borders, stated, “Our team was executed,” underscoring the targeted nature of the attack. The timing of the killings came during a fraught period of escalating violence, where international humanitarian workers faced increasing hostility from Ethiopian forces.
Prior investigations, including a prominent one by The New York Times, revealed that a military officer had issued orders that contributed directly to the attack that led to the aid workers' deaths. Evidence indicates that Ethiopian soldiers had been actively engaged in the conflict surrounding the area where the team was shot and left on a remote roadside, yet accountability remains elusive.
Despite persistent calls for justice from the victims' families and transparency regarding the investigation, Doctors Without Borders reports that credible answers have yet to be provided by the Ethiopian government. The aid organization continues to push for justice and accountability, urging that the perpetrators be brought to light and faced with appropriate consequences for their actions.
