Addis Ababa: Amhara Regional President Arega Kebede has said that more than 1,000 children have been raped and widespread human rights violations have been committed across the region during the ongoing conflict between federal forces and Fano fighters.
Presenting a report to the Amhara Regional Council, Arega said more than 900 child rape cases have been formally documented, while the total number of cases is believed to be significantly higher, with many incidents remaining unreported or unresolved.
He attributed the surge in gender-based violence (GBV) and other human rights violations to the conflict, which has entered its third year.
Arega’s remarks add to a growing body of reports documenting alleged abuses during the conflict.
Earlier this year, BBC Amharic reported that nearly 2,000 rape cases were recorded between July 2023 and May 2025, citing data collected from 43 health facilities across the Amhara region.
The conflict has been marked by repeated allegations of human rights abuses from local and international organizations, including reports of unlawful killings, arbitrary arrests, sexual violence and the destruction of civilian infrastructure.
The regional authorities have faced criticism from rights organizations and other observers for not allowing independent investigations into alleged human rights violations linked to the conflict.
