By Nuru Abdu, World BEYOND War Ethiopia Chapter Coordinator, August 18, 2025
World BEYOND War (WBW) Ethiopia Chapter, in collaboration with the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) Jimma Branch, organized a three-day workshop from August 12 to 14, 2025, under the theme “The Role of Youth in Abolishing War and Protecting Human Rights.”
The workshop came at a critical time for Ethiopia, a country still reeling from one of the deadliest wars in East Africa in recent years. For two years, the conflict in Northern Ethiopia between the federal government and the Tigrayan People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) claimed the lives of an estimated 1.5 million young people before a ceasefire was signed in Pretoria. While the agreement offered temporary relief, new violence has since erupted between the federal government and the Amhara Fano armed group. Tensions also remain high as both the federal government and the TPLF have recently showcased their military strength, raising fears of renewed war.
Against this backdrop, WBW Ethiopia chapter and (EHRC) Jimma Branch provided a timely platform to reflect on the cost of war and the untapped potential of youth as peacebuilders. Participants discussed how young people have disproportionately paid the price of war, yet continue to be excluded from political power and decision-making structures where their voices could make a difference.
Sessions emphasized the transformative role of youth in rejecting militarism, protecting human rights, and building sustainable peace. At the workshop, young people came together to ask thoughtful questions: What if youth everywhere said no to violence? What if we demanded peace instead of being forced into war? Discussions focused on youth leadership, nonviolent action, and protecting human rights. Participants stressed that the future of Ethiopia depends on empowering young people as peacebuilders not as fighters.
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