Canada Resumes Military Co-operation with Ethiopia Amidst Controversy

Canada is reinstating military co-operation with Ethiopia, despite serious allegations of genocide related to the Tigray conflict. This decision follows a three-year suspension due to civilian casualties attributed to the Ethiopian military. Critics argue that the resumption can overlook ongoing human rights abuses, calling for accountability and caution in engagement with Ethiopia’s armed forces.

Canada is reinstating its military co-operation with Ethiopia, despite previous allegations of genocide during the Tigray conflict. The Canadian federal government had halted defence collaboration three years prior due to reports of the Ethiopian military’s widespread killings of civilians. The renewed partnership allows Ethiopia’s re-entry into Canada’s Military Training and Co-operation Program (MTCP), which includes over 60 countries aiming to enhance military capacity in non-NATO states.

According to an internal memo, this decision to resume relations was communicated during a meeting that included Canadian officials and Ethiopian Defence Minister Aisha Mohammed. The focus will be on “non-lethal” co-operation, as Canada acknowledges what it describes as “initial progress” made by Ethiopia concerning peace efforts and accountability for human rights abuses.

Despite this progress, there are significant concerns about ongoing civilian casualties caused by Ethiopian air strikes in Amhara and Oromia. The memo notes that recent reports, even during the meetings, highlighted a drone strike that killed sixteen civilians, including children. Although the frequency of air strikes has decreased, they continue to pose a threat, with Ethiopian artillery reportedly harming civilians in the Amhara region.

Further complicating the situation is the potential escalation of hostilities between Ethiopia and Eritrea, with reports indicating troop movements toward the Eritrean border. Andrée-Anne Poulin, a spokesperson for the Department of National Defence, emphasized that Canada intends to limit its assistance to “small-scale training activities” for now, aiming to promote positive changes within the Ethiopian armed forces while preserving the option to suspend cooperation if needed.

Criticism regarding the resumption of military collaboration has emerged, notably from former Canadian justice minister Allan Rock, who labeled the actions as “offensive and completely unacceptable” without evidence of accountability for prior human rights violations. He questioned the ability of Canada to ensure that Ethiopia would not continue its offensive against the Tigrayan populace.

Experts, including lawyers and directors from various organizations, expressed skepticism about the claim of progress made by Ethiopia, highlighting the ongoing occurrences of human rights abuses. They urged that any military training must strictly adhere to international humanitarian law to safeguard civilians in conflict zones.

In conclusion, Canada’s decision to resume military co-operation with Ethiopia has raised numerous ethical and humanitarian concerns. While the Canadian government cites initial progress made by Ethiopia regarding human rights, credible voices caution against overlooking the ongoing military actions and human rights violations. The pursuit of military collaboration should be paired with stringent monitoring and accountability mechanisms to ensure that it does not facilitate further injustices.

Original Source: www.theglobeandmail.com