Ethiopia’s Government Blocks US State Department Report and Social Media, Leaving VPN as the Only Option











Ethiopia’s government has recently blocked access to the US State Department annual human rights report. The report, which is accessible on the https://www.state.gov/reports/2022-country-reports-on-human-rights-practices/ website, is no longer accessible without using a virtual private network (VPN). Additionally, the official website of the US State Department is no longer available without a VPN (State.gov). This action follows Ethiopia’s recent move to block access to social media platforms such as Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube without a VPN.

Ethiopia is currently emerging from a two-year conflict in the north that saw all parties involved committing atrocities. The cessation of hostilities agreement (COHA), signed on November 2, 2022, has led to a decrease in human rights abuses in northern Ethiopia, the withdrawal of Eritrean forces, and the Ethiopian government’s initial steps towards transitional justice. However, it is important to acknowledge the suffering that was inflicted upon civilians in northern Ethiopia during the conflict.

After a thorough review of the law and facts, it has been determined that members of the Ethiopian National Defense Forces (ENDF), Eritrean Defense Forces (EDF), Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) forces, and Amhara forces committed war crimes during the conflict in northern Ethiopia.

Acknowledging the atrocities committed by all parties involved is a crucial step in achieving sustainable peace. Those most responsible for the atrocities, including those in positions of command, must be held accountable. It is encouraging to see the commitment made by the parties to the COHA to acknowledge the atrocities and their devastating consequences. It is imperative that all parties follow through on their commitments to one another and implement a credible, inclusive, and comprehensive transitional justice process. The Government of Eritrea must also ensure comprehensive justice and accountability for those responsible for abuses in Ethiopia.



The Ethiopian government has accused the United States of taking a “partisan” approach by alleging that its forces, along with Eritrean troops, had committed war crimes during the two-year conflict in Tigray. The foreign ministry issued a statement on Tuesday, a day after Washington accused all parties to the conflict of committing war crimes but singled out Ethiopian, Eritrean, and regional Amhara forces for crimes against humanity, without mentioning forces loyal to the TPLF.

On Tuesday, Eritrea’s foreign ministry stated that the allegations were “unsubstantiated and defamatory” and constituted a “continuation of unwarranted hostility and demonization that US administrations have pursued against Eritrea since 2009 to advance their ulterior political agendas.”

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken recently made his first visit to Ethiopia since the November 2022 peace deal between the federal government and Tigrayan rebels. Upon returning to Washington, Blinken made a strong call for accountability, citing the State Department’s “careful review of the law and facts”