As leaders convene in Addis Ababa, the African Union faces a reputational and moral test: will it use the summit’s leverage to press Ethiopia to protect civilians amid renewed fighting and a fragile peace in Tigray? Reports of heavy clashes, displacement and credible allegations of serious violations demand public AU leadership.

The AU and UN should call for full respect of protections set out in the Pretoria cessation agreement, insist on unobstructed humanitarian access, and push for an expanded and transparent AU monitoring mechanism with a strengthened civilian-protection mandate and regular public reporting.

Failure to press the host government would repeat past passivity that left victims without recourse. The AU must place the protection of citizens above diplomatic reticence, ensure independent investigations of alleged abuses, and support transitional-justice pathways to prevent impunity and renewed cycles of violence.

(Allan Ngari, Human Rights Watch)