RULAC Classifies a Second Non-International Armed Conflict in Ethiopia

16 August 2022

In addition to the ongoing non-international armed conflict (NIAC) that opposes the Ethiopian armed forces to the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), our Rule of Law in Armed Conflict (RULAC) online portal just classified a parallel NIAC in the country between Ethiopia and the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA).

‘Both the intensity of the armed violence opposing the Ethiopian armed forces and OLA’s troops – that increased over the past two years – along with the level of organization of OLA allow us to conclude today to the existence of a NIAC’ underlines Dr Chiara Redaelli, Research Fellow at the Geneva Academy.

Information about the Parties, Classification and Applicable International Law

The entry on this conflict provides detailed information about this armed group, the classification and applicable international law.

Following the designation of OLA as a terrorist organization by Ethiopia in August 2021 and its alliance with TPLF in August 2021, clashes started in October 2021 in the Oromia region between OLA and Ethiopian armed forces intensified in 2022.

About RULAC

The Rule of Law in Armed Conflicts (RULAC) online portal systematically qualifies situations of armed violence using the definition of armed conflict under international humanitarian law. RULAC also identifies the parties to these conflicts and applicable international law. It currently monitors more than 110 armed conflicts involving at least 55 states and more than 70 armed non-State actors.

MORE ON THIS THEMATIC AREA

News

The Podcast In and Around War(s) is Back for a Second Season

23 March 2023

Our podcast In and Around War(s) returns for a second season of conversations with our alumni on topical issues related to wars.

Read more

View of the European Court of Human Rights News

The Geneva Academy Will Intervene as a Third Party in the Case Ukraine and the Netherlands v. Russia

27 March 2023

The Geneva Academy has been granted leave by the European Court of Human Rights to intervene as a third-party – along with 26 governments – in the Inter-State case Ukraine and the Netherlands v. Russia

Read more

Central African Republic,  Bangui. Soldiers of the Democratic Republic of Congo patrol the Multinational Force of Central African States - Event

Duties to One's Own Population and Combatants in War: Is there an ‘Internal’ Jus in Bello?

11 May 2023, 18:30-20:00

In this talk, Professor Frédéric Mégret will seek to excavate an understanding of IHL as partly about protecting one’s population rather than minimizing harm to ‘other’ populations.

Read more

Portrait of Professor Chiara Giorgetti Event

International Law Responses to Russia’s Aggression – Building an International Reparation Mechanism for Ukraine

18 April 2023, 18:30-21:00

In this lecture organized with the MIDS, Professor Chiara Giorgetti will discuss current efforts to create a reparation mechanism for Ukraine in order to hold Russia liable for its violations of international law.

Read more

Afghanistan, Parwan detention facility. Inside a room where detainees of the prison, separated by an acrylic glass, are allowed to meet with their families a couple of times per year with the help of the ICRC employees who facilitate the programme. Short Course

Preventing and Combating Terrorism

27 April - 8 June 2023

This online short course discusses the extent to which states may limit and/or derogate from their international human rights obligations in order to prevent and counter-terrorism and thus protect persons under their jurisdiction.

Read more

Yemen,  Sana'a, Faj Attan district. Destruction. Short Course

From Use of Force to Responsibility to Protect

24 May - 6 June 2023

This online short course provides an overview of the content and evolution of the rules governing the use of unilateral force in international law, including military intervention on humanitarian grounds and the fight against international terrorism. It focuses on the practice of states and international organizations.

Read more

Central African Republic, Ouham province, village of Ouogo. International Humanitarian Law dissemination session to members of the Peoples' Army for the Restoration of Democracy. Project

From Words to Deeds: A Study of Armed Non-State Actors’ Practice and Interpretation of International Humanitarian and Human Rights Norms

Completed in January 2017

This project aimed at compiling and analysing the practice and interpretation of selected international humanitarian law and human rights norms by armed non-state actors (ANSAs). It had a pragmatic double objective: first, to offer a comparative analysis of IHL and human rights norms from the perspective of ANSAs, and second, to inform strategies of humanitarian engagement with ANSAs, in particular the content of a possible ‘Model Code of Conduct’.

Read more

Computer screen with warning: civilian infrastucture: do not attack Project

Digitalization of Conflict Joint Initiative: Humanitarian Impact and Legal Protection

Started in September 2020

This project will explore humanitarian consequences and protection needs caused by the digitalization of armed conflicts and the extent to which these needs are addressed by international law, especially international humanitarian law.

Read more

Cover page of the study Publication

From Words to Deeds A Study of Armed Non-State Actors’ Practice and Interpretation of International Humanitarian and Human Rights Norms: Research and Policy Conclusions

published on September 2022

Annyssa Bellal, Pascal Bongard, Ezequiel Heffes

Read more