EHRCO Demands Halt to Forced Conscription in Tigray

The Ethiopian Human Rights Council (EHRCO) has issued an urgent appeal against alleged widespread forced military recruitment in Ethiopia's Tigray region. This recruitment drive, reportedly mandated by the unilaterally reinstated Tigray regional council, raises significant legal and human rights concerns. The council's actions directly contradict the 2022 Pretoria Peace Agreement, which dissolved the pre-war regional administration and aimed for demobilization and the restoration of constitutional order. The situation highlights a critical challenge to the fragile peace in the post-conflict region, potentially leading to systemic rights violations, including forced labor and the recruitment of minors, and undermining the rule of law established by the peace accord.

On July 12, 2026, the Ethiopian Human Rights Council (EHRCO) released an urgent appeal, drawing attention to a mandatory military recruitment drive sweeping across the northern Tigray region. This development is particularly alarming as it is reportedly being orchestrated by the Tigray regional council, an entity that was dissolved under the 2022 Pretoria peace deal and unilaterally reinstated earlier this year. The appeal underscores grave concerns about systemic rights violations and the potential for renewed instability in a region still recovering from a devastating two-year conflict.

This alleged forced conscription not only threatens the fundamental human rights of individuals in Tigray but also directly challenges the integrity and implementation of the landmark Cessation of Hostilities Agreement (CoHA) signed in Pretoria. The peace agreement was designed to bring an end to hostilities, facilitate demobilization, and restore constitutional governance, making any unilateral re-militarization effort a significant setback. The actions of the reinstated regional council, therefore, carry profound implications for Ethiopia's federal structure and its commitment to peace and human rights.

This article will analyze the legal ramifications of the alleged forced conscription in Tigray. It will examine how these actions conflict with the provisions of the Pretoria Peace Agreement, Ethiopia's constitutional framework, and international human rights standards. Furthermore, it will discuss the broader challenges these developments pose to the ongoing peace process and the observance of the rule of law in Ethiopia.

The conflict in Ethiopia's Tigray region formally concluded with the signing of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement (CoHA) on November 2, 2022, in Pretoria, South Africa, between the Government of Ethiopia and the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF). This agreement aimed for a permanent cessation of hostilities, unhindered humanitarian access, restoration of services, and a comprehensive disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration (DDR) process for Tigrayan forces. A crucial aspect of the CoHA was the establishment of transitional arrangements, which included the dissolution of the pre-war Tigray regional council and the formation of an Interim Regional Administration (IRA) to govern the region.

However, in April 2026, the TPLF unilaterally moved to reinstate the pre-war regional council, effectively challenging the federally recognized IRA and the transitional structures established by the Pretoria Agreement. This move has been widely seen as an attempt to restore the pre-conflict political status quo and has been met with federal government non-recognition. Against this backdrop, reports of a mandatory military recruitment drive by this reinstated council have emerged, raising serious questions about its legal authority and adherence to the peace accord.

Under Ethiopian law, military service is generally not compulsory. The 1995 Constitution of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia does not explicitly provide for conscription, and the Defence Force Proclamation No. 27/1996 stipulates that recruitment should be for "persons fit and willing for military purposes." Historically, attempts at national military service, such as Proclamation No. 322 of 1973, were not fully implemented. Internationally, while conscription by a sovereign state for its own citizens is generally not prohibited, forced conscription by non-state actors is considered a violation of international law. Ethiopia is a signatory to key international human rights instruments, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights, and the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict (OPAC), all of which prohibit forced labor and the recruitment of children into armed forces. EHRCO, established in 1991, operates as an independent, non-governmental organization dedicated to monitoring, investigating, and reporting human rights violations, and advocating for the rule of law in Ethiopia.

The alleged forced conscription in Tigray, initiated by the unilaterally reinstated regional council, presents a multifaceted legal challenge. Firstly, the very legitimacy of the council to enact such a mandate is highly contentious. The Pretoria Agreement explicitly dissolved the pre-war regional council and established an Interim Regional Administration. The TPLF's unilateral reinstatement of the council in April 2026, and its subsequent declaration of the Pretoria Agreement as "collapsed," directly undermines the federal government's authority and the peace framework. As such, any decree on mandatory military service from an entity whose legal status is disputed under the national peace accord and federal law lacks a clear legitimate basis to exercise sovereign powers like conscription.

Secondly, the forced recruitment directly conflicts with the core tenets of the Pretoria Agreement. The CoHA emphasized demobilization and reintegration of Tigrayan forces, aiming to transition the region from conflict to peace. Reports indicating the re-enlistment of former combatants and the compulsory mobilization of civilians, including children, represent a clear departure from these commitments and risk re-militarizing the region. This not only jeopardizes the fragile peace but also creates an environment ripe for renewed conflict, as both sides have traded accusations of preparing for war.

Thirdly, the reported forced conscription constitutes severe human rights violations under both Ethiopian constitutional law and international human rights instruments. Mass roundups, abductions, and pressure on families to provide recruits, as documented by Human Rights Watch, violate the right to liberty and security of person. Such practices can amount to forced labor, which is prohibited under Article 8 of the ICCPR, a treaty ratified by Ethiopia. Furthermore, reports of children as young as 15 being recruited are particularly egregious. Ethiopia's ratification of the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict (OPAC) strictly prohibits the recruitment or use of children under 18, with the recruitment of those under 15 constituting a war crime.

Moreover, a draft proclamation from the reinstated council reportedly seeks to criminalize discouraging recruitment or criticizing mobilization efforts, with severe penalties for individuals and media organizations. This provision directly infringes upon freedom of expression, a fundamental right enshrined in the Ethiopian Constitution and international human rights law. The broad and vague language of such a law could be used to suppress dissent and independent reporting, further eroding democratic space and accountability in the region. The ongoing dual-power deadlock between the federal government and the reinstated Tigray council, coupled with these alleged human rights abuses, creates a volatile environment that undermines the rule of law and the prospects for long-term stability.

The urgent appeal by EHRCO regarding forced conscription in Tigray highlights a critical juncture in Ethiopia's post-conflict recovery. For legal practitioners, this situation presents complex challenges, requiring a deep understanding of constitutional law, the Pretoria Peace Agreement, and international human rights frameworks. Attorneys may be called upon to advise individuals facing forced recruitment, challenge the legal authority of the reinstated regional council's decrees, and advocate for victims of human rights abuses, including arbitrary detention, forced labor, and child recruitment. The potential for collective punishment of families for non-compliance, as reportedly outlined in the draft proclamation, also raises significant legal and ethical concerns that practitioners must be prepared to address.

The unfolding events underscore the fragility of peace in Tigray and the broader implications for Ethiopia's federal system. Practitioners should closely monitor the federal government's response to the Tigray council's actions, the ongoing implementation (or lack thereof) of the Pretoria Agreement, and the efforts of human rights organizations like EHRCO. The international community's engagement will also be crucial in ensuring adherence to human rights and the peace accord. Ultimately, a concerted effort by all stakeholders to prioritize dialogue, respect for human rights, and the rule of law is essential to prevent a relapse into widespread conflict and to secure a just and lasting peace for the people of Tigray.