The Indigenous World 2021: Ethiopia

THE INDIGENOUS WORLD 2021 2 IWGIA – The Indigenous World – 2021 The Indigenous World 2021 35th Edition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . General Editor: Dwayne Mamo Regional editors: David Nathaniel Berger, Nikita Bulanin, Lola García-Alix, Marianne Wiben Jensen, Signe Leth, Ena Alvarado Madsen, Dwayne Mamo, Alejandro Parellada, Geneviève Rose, Stefan Thorsell, Kathrin Wessendorf Maps: David Nathaniel Berger and Dwayne Mamo Cover photograph: The Indigenous community of Kawemhakan, Suriname, blocked its airstrip to prevent outsiders from arriving into their villages and bringing the virus with them. Photo credit: Mulokot Foundation/ Kawemhakan English translation: Elaine Bolton Proofreading: Elaine Bolton, Ellen Forssell, Käthe Jepsen & Dwayne Mamo Design and layout: www.NickPurserDesign.com Prepress and Print: Eks-Skolen Trykkeri, Copenhagen, Denmark © The authors and The International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs (IWGIA), 2021. All Rights Reserved HURIDOCS CIP data Title: The Indigenous World 2021 Edited by: Dwayne Mamo Pages: 824 ISSN: 1024-0217 ISBN: 978-87-93961-23-4 Language: English Index: 1. Indigenous Peoples – 2. Yearbook – 3. International Processes BISAC codes: LAW110000 Indigenous Peoples REF027000 Yearbooks & Annuals POLO35010 Political Freedom & Security / Human Rights Geographical area: World Publication date: April 2021 The reproduction and distribution of information contained in The Indigenous World is welcome as long as the source is cited. However, the translation of articles into other languages and of the whole book is not allowed without the consent of IWGIA. The articles in The Indigenous World are produced on a voluntary basis. It is IWGIA’s intention that The Indigenous World should provide a comprehensive update on the situation of Indigenous Peoples worldwide but, unfortunately, it is not always possible to find authors to cover all relevant countries. The articles reflect the authors’ own views and opinions and not necessarily those of IWGIA itself. IWGIA can furthermore not be held responsible for the accuracy of their content. The Indigenous World is published annually in English and Spanish. Executive Director: Kathrin Wessendorf Head of Finance and Administration: Søren Juul Aarslev This book has been produced with financial support from the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs (DANIDA) 82 Ethiopia IWGIA – The Indigenous World – 2021 PART 1 – Region and country reports – Ethiopia 83 The Indigenous Peoples of Ethiopia make up a significant proportion of the country’s estimated population of 110 million. Around 15% are pastoralists and sedentary farmers who live across the country but particularly in the Ethiopian lowlands, which constitute some 61% of the country’s total landmass. There are also several hunter-gatherer communities, including the forest-dwelling Majang (Majengir) and Anuak peoples, who live in the Gambella region. Ethiopia is believed to have the largest livestock population in Africa, a significant number of which are in the hands of pastoralist communities living on land that, in recent years, has been under high demand from foreign investors. Such “land grabbing” has only emphasized the already tenuous political and economic situation of Indigenous Peoples in Ethiopia. Indigenous Peoples’ access to healthcare provision and to primary and secondary education remains highly inadequate. According to the 1995 Ethiopian Constitution, land is owned by the State and the peoples of Ethiopia and cannot be sold and exchanged. The Constitution guarantees the rights of pastoralists to free land for grazing and cultivation as well as the right not to be displaced from their own lands. The implementation of these constitutional provisions is to be determined by law. There is no national legislation protecting Indigenous Peoples, and Ethiopia has neither ratified ILO Convention 169 nor was it present during the voting on the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). Political uncertainty and natural calamities in Ethiopia in recent years have compounded the problems that Indigenous Peoples face there. S ince the political transition of April 2018 that brought Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed to power, Ethiopia has been going through changes at breakneck speed. His ascent to power was mostly received with euphoria and optimism followed by a whirlwind of reforms that saw the release of political prisoners and journalists, the return of activists and political dissidents to the country, the amendment and/or repeal of 84 IWGIA – The Indigenous World – 2021 draconian legislation, reform of notorious and dysfunctional government offices and institutions, and a rapprochement with neighboring Eritrea. Paradoxically, the last three years have also witnessed the killing of high government and military officials and unprecedented levels of internal conflict and unrest. The year 2020 saw a dwindling of the political space in the country with the detention of political opposition figures and journalists, open disregard for the rule of law by some state agents, continued turmoil and the break-out of conflict between the Federal Government and the Tigray Regional State in early November. In this mixed bag of progress and regress, Indigenous communities find themselves in the most uncertain political environment, which has a direct and indirect impact on their livelihoods and survival. Indigenous Peoples in the context of the prevailing political situation In the ongoing heated political debate and discourse on the past, present and future of the country, the issue of Indigenous Peoples is conspicuously absent. Politicians, political pundits, academics and activists, who often represent the interests of major and larger groups, and who have abrogated and monopolized responsibility for speaking for the masses, seem to have either conveniently forgotten or are unconcerned about the most marginalized and oppressed communities in the country. This is happening regardless of the fact that most of the ongoing discussions revolve around injustices, discrimination and marginalization, terminology that has become synonymous with the Indigenous Peoples’ cause. This is perhaps an indication that the elite of the country are oblivious to the deplorable situation of these communities and, as a result, diversity and co-existence continue to be debated among and within the context of the political heavy-weights. With the political transition of April 2018 and the ensuing reforms, many had hoped that the injustices against Indigenous Peoples and their territories would be addressed and redressed. Contrary to these expectations and hopes, with the exception of a few cases where the lease agreements of investors who failed to cultivate the lands they had leased were cancelled, the status quo has been maintained, leaving many pas- PART 1 – Region and country reports – Ethiopia 85 toralists – particularly in SNNPR (Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples’ Region) and Gambella regional states – landless and displaced.1 Even more worrying are reports of continued harassment and intimidation of Indigenous communities by the state. At the end of 2019, there were reports of arbitrary detention and abuse of the Bodi and Mursi communities of the Lower Omo Valley by security forces,2 and a year later the government is yet to officially address and investigate this matter. In this regard, the Legal and Justice Affairs Advisory Council, an independent body of legal professionals under the auspices of the Office of the Attorney General, is doing laudable work in spearheading the reform of the justice and legal system. Thus far, however, the Council has shied away from discussing or even considering the issue of Indigenous Peoples as part the ongoing legal reform.3 Policy developments In a laudable move, a draft policy on pastoralism developed by the Ministry of Peace was adopted by the Council of Ministers in February. A number of consultations were also reportedly held in the lead-up to the adoption, although it is not known if concerned communities were consulted. Since the policy is yet to be made public and implementation has not started, it is not possible to comment on the content or practical significance of the policy to the lives and livelihood system of pastoralists. On the economic front, in a clear departure with the previous administration, the government has embarked on a policy of liberalization. It is therefore opening up the economy by privatizing a number of economic and financial sectors. In doing so, some consultations have taken place albeit limited to the urban elites who, needless to say, represent a significantly small proportion of the country’s population. Moreover, the new administration’s economic policies and projects seem to be urban-centered. For instance, in the past two and a half years, multi-million dollar megaprojects aimed at beautifying urban centers, mainly the capital Addis Ababa, have been underway. Substantial amounts of money are also being spent on refurbishing government offices and premises. While these contribute towards rebranding and changing the image of cities and towns, priority should be given to transforming the 86 IWGIA – The Indigenous World – 2021 rural economy for two compelling reasons. First, the country’s economy is predominantly agriculture- and agro-pastoral-based. Second, over 85% percent of the population live in rural areas. One commendable policy of the current administration that will have a positive impact on the lives and livelihoods of Indigenous communities is the Green Legacy initiative. Launched in 2019 by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, the initiative is part of the government’s plan to plant 20 billion seedlings by 2024. The government is aggressively pursuing the Green Legacy policy by opening up city parks and recreational centers as well as devoting time, money and resources to planting seedlings across the country.4 If implemented faithfully, this reforestation effort will help mitigate the adverse effects of deforestation and climate change that are disproportionately affecting pastoral and hunter-gatherer communities. Impact of political turmoil and conflicts on Indigenous Peoples The longstanding and intractable conflict between the Afar and Issa/ Somali communities that had subsided for some time resurged in December 2018 and has continued to date.5 Over the course of 2020, more than 150 Afars and Somalis are believed to have died, scores more been injured and properties destroyed as a result of the fighting between these two Indigenous communities. The fighting is caused by a land dispute over grazing land as well as claims to three contested kebelles/ towns that were handed over to the Afar region in a 2014 Agreement.6 The situation in Guji and Gedeo is still uncertain although almost all of the internally-displaced persons (IDPs) who were displaced in the 2018 conflict between the two communities have now returned to their homes. The conflict could relapse at any time unless the root causes are addressed.7 In the north, since the outbreak of the conflict in early November between federal and regional forces in Tigray, nearly 54,000 people have been displaced to Sudan (as of 26 December), with millions more displaced internally.8 Although information is scarce, the fighting will have a heavy toll on the Kunama Indigenous people who live in the border area between Eritrea and Ethiopia. PART 1 – Region and country reports – Ethiopia 87 Confluence of natural calamities 2020 has been one of the toughest and roughest years in Ethiopia. In addition to the protracted and mutating political turmoil, COVID-19, flooding and a locust outbreak have created a dire humanitarian crisis in the country. Heavy rainfall has led to flooding, resulting in the destruction of crops, loss of livestock and displacement of people. Swarms of multiplying desert locusts have also been destroying pastures and crops, leading to further food insecurity. Impact of COVID-19 The first case of COVID-19 was reported in mid-March 2020 and, in the first few weeks, disaggregated data by region were available. As the cases started to surge, however, the health system became overwhelmed and now only total numbers of new cases, deaths and recoveries are reported. This has made it difficult to obtain reliable data from official sources on the impact that the pandemic is having on Indigenous communities living in various corners of the country. The low population densities common to pastoral areas could reduce transmissibility but the movement inherent to pastoralism increases mixing and contact, thereby increasing transmissibility.9 Besides, pastoralists generally have poor health compared to the national average, with pre-existing acute and chronic health conditions and widespread malnutrition that puts them at a higher risk. Due to limited access to care, for example, pastoralists in Ethiopia receive inadequate treatment for tuberculosis thus increasing their susceptibility to COVID-19.10 Moreover, movement restrictions due to COVID-19 affect desert locust control, human and livestock disease prevention and control, and disaster relief. Many pastoral areas in Ethiopia have also been flooded due to heavy rainfalls and the overflow of dams and rivers. Emergency support personnel coming from population centers to pastoral areas act as a source of infection, and movement restrictions limit emergency support.11 The closure of livestock markets in the early days of the pandemic adversely impacted food security and livelihoods as pastoralists need to sell animals to purchase food and other basic items. Fears of con- 88 IWGIA – The Indigenous World – 2021 tracting the virus have also prevented many pastoralist women from accessing essential reproductive and other health services, which has again had a serious impact on their well-being. The problem is further compounded by the relatively low density of healthcare facilities and health professionals in areas inhabited by Indigenous communities.12 Desert locust invasion Heavy rainfall in many parts of Ethiopia encouraged vegetation growth, providing favorable ecological conditions for desert locust breeding. This has resulted in the worst locust invasion in 25 years. The locust swarm has damaged an estimated 200,000 hectares of land since January.13 Over one million Ethiopians have suffered crop losses due to the locust outbreaks and the loss of crops and animal pasture has contributed to 11 million Ethiopians being forecast to go hungry in the first half of 2021.14 Agro-pastoral and pastoral communities in Somali, Oromia and Afar regions have been hit the hardest due to their pre-existing food insecurities. Desert locust damage has also diminished browsing and pasture availability for livestock, which reduces the productivity of their animals.15 Reports indicate that up to 1.3 million hectares of pasture and browsing were affected. Communities estimated a 61% reduction in the pasture in the Somali region, 59% in Afar, 35% in SNNPR and 31% in Oromia. The sale of livestock has likely eroded the resilience of livestock keepers, particularly in Afar, Somali and Oromia regions where the trend was observed.16 Furthermore, the conflict in the country’s Tigray region made it more difficult to proceed with efforts to control the locust invasion, while also restricting access to humanitarian support.17 Flooding Heavy rainfall between June and September 2020 and the discharge of filled dams in some areas caused flooding and landslides, displacing people in several parts of the country.18 Reports indicate that close to 1,017,854 people were affected and 292,863 people displaced by floods PART 1 – Region and country reports – Ethiopia 89 across the country. Displacements occurred mainly in Somali, Oromia, Afar, SNNP and Gambella regions,19 where most of the country’s Indigenous Peoples are found. In Gambella region, in addition to the 12,096 people affected by the July 2020 floods, there were at least 7,136 people affected by flooding in 2019 who are still dependent on relief food assistance for survival. In addition, 1,000 hectares of maize and sorghum cropland was damaged by flooding. Affected communities are also reportedly suffering from diseases, including pneumonia and malaria. Twenty-two water schemes have further been damaged across the affected area, adding an additional burden on women who must travel longer distances to fetch water. Meanwhile in Somali region, flooding on 4 August affected 34,974 people. Earlier flooding in the region (April 2020) had affected 404,172 people. More than 34,006 hectares of cropland was completely destroyed, and 10,739 livestock killed. In northern Ethiopia, river and flash floods in July and August 2020 affected 67,885 people, including 40,731 people displaced in Afar region. Some 3,714 livestock also died, further affecting the food security of pastoralist communities in the area.20 Due to little or no attention being given to numerically-smaller Indigenous groups in the Lower Omo Valley and western Ethiopia areas, coupled with their inaccessibility, it has been impossible to obtain information on their situation and the impact that the confluence of natural and man-made disasters has had on their well-being and livelihoods. This is yet another bitter reminder of how these communities are forgotten and marginalized, and how they continue to live on the periphery of the state. Notes and references 1. 2. 3. Cochrane, Logan and Danielle D. Legault, “The Rush for Land and Agricultural Investment in Ethiopia: What We Know and What We Are Missing.” MDPI, 22 May 2020. Maisel, Naomi and Anuradha Mittal. “As Ethiopia’s Abiy Ahmed collect the Nobel Peace Prize, abuses in the Lower Omo Valley must be addressed.” Lifegate, 10 December 2019. Reports and Work Plans of the Legal and Justice Affairs Advisory Council available at http://ljaac.gov.et/ResourceCenter/index/2 90 IWGIA – The Indigenous World – 2021 4. Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Office of the Prime Minister. “Green Legacy.” https://pmo.gov.et/greenlegacy/ Yasin, Abubeker. “Between Hope and Despair: Reflections on the Current Political Developments in Afar.”, in Ethiopia in the Wake of Political Reforms, edited by Melaku Geboye Desta et al, 453. 2020. The Somali Regional State withdrew from the Agreement in 2019 citing a lack of constitutional basis for the agreement, a failure to consult the affected populations, coercion and bad faith. (Addis Standard. “News: at least 27 killed in the clashes in the border between Afar, Somali Regions.” 29 October 2020. https://addisstandard.com/news-at-least-27-killed-in-clashes-in-the-borderbetween-afar-somali-regions/) The Afar people. on the other hand. blame the Federal Government for siding with the Somali Regional State and the current Afar Regional leadership for being complicit (See endnote 5). Several factors have contributed to the conflict and the resulting causalities and displacements. However, identity politics, claims of marginalization and domination and the quest for self-governance have played a key role in brewing tension and fueling conflict between these two communities. World Food Programme (WFP) and Famine Early Warning System Network (FEWS Net). “Ethiopia Food Security Outlook Update.” December 2020. https://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/ETHIOPIA_FSOU_ December%202020_Final.pdf Griffith, Evan F., et al. “COVID-19 in pastoral contexts in the greater Horn of Africa: Implications and Recommendations.” Pastoralism 10, 22 (2020). https:// doi.org/10.1186/s13570-020-00178-x Ibid. Ibid. Ibid. Aljazeera. “Ethiopia struggles to suppress desert locust infestation.” 21 October 2020. https://www.aljazeera.com/gallery/2020/10/21/in-picture-ethiopiastruggles-to-suppress-desert-locust-infestat New Business Ethiopia News. “Food insecurity, conflict deteriorate Ethiopia’s humanitarian situation.” New Business Ethiopia, 21 December 2020. https:// newbusinessethiopia.com/tragedy/food-insecurity-conflict-deteriorateethiopias-humanitarian-situation/?utm_source=ICPAC_NEWSLETTER&utm_ campaign=86e60cf7da-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2019_02_25_06_47_ COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_0ea0a0abaf-86e60cf7daACAPS. “ACAPS Briefing Note: Locusts in Ethiopia.” 15 November 2019. https:// reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/20191115_acaps_briefing_note_ locusts_in_ethiopia.pdf OCHA Humanitarian Response. “Impact of Desert Locust Infestation on Household Livelihoods and Food Security in Ethiopia.” Joint Assessment Findings, April 2020. https://www.humanitarianresponse.info/sites/www. humanitarianresponse.info/files/assessments/desert_locust_impact_ assessment_report_for_ethiopia.pdf New Business Ethiopia News. “Food insecurity, conflict deteriorate Ethiopia’s humanitarian situation.” New Business Ethiopia, 21 December 2020. https:// newbusinessethiopia.com/tragedy/food-insecurity-conflict-deteriorateethiopias-humanitarian-situation/?utm_source=ICPAC_NEWSLETTER&utm_ campaign=86e60cf7da-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2019_02_25_06_47_ COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_0ea0a0abaf-86e60cf7daOCHA Relief Web. “Ethiopia: Floods - Flash Update No. 3, as of 18 August 2020.” 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. PART 1 – Region and country reports – Ethiopia 91 Situation Report, 18 August 2020. https://reliefweb.int/report/ethiopia/ethiopiafloods-flash-update-no-3-18-august-2020 19. OCHA Humanitarian Response. “Flood Response Plan, Ethiopia.” 2020 Kiremt Season Floods, September 2020. https://www.humanitarianresponse.info/ sites/www.humanitarianresponse.info/files/documents/files/ethiopia_-_flood_ emergency_response_plan_for_2020_kiremt_season_16_sep_2020.pdf 20. OCHA Humanitarian Response. “Joint Government – Humanitarian Partners National Flood Contingency Plan.” 2020 Kiremt Season, June 2020. https:// www.humanitarianresponse.info/sites/www.humanitarianresponse.info/files/ documents/files/flood_contigency_plan_june_2020.pdf Samuel Tilahun Tessema is a Senior Legal Advisor to the IGAD Special Envoy for South Sudan. Before joining IGAD, he worked with the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights in different capacities for over nine years. CONTENTS The compilation you have in your hands is the unique result of a collaborative effort between Indigenous and non-indigenous activists and scholars who voluntarily document and report on the situation of Indigenous Peoples’ rights. We thank them and celebrate the bonds and sense of community that result from the close cooperation needed to make this one-of-a kind documentation tool available. For 35 consecutive years IWGIA has published The Indigenous World in collaboration with this community of authors. This yearly overview serves to document and report on the developments Indigenous Peoples have experienced throughout 2020. The Indigenous World 2021 adds not only documentation, but also includes a special focus on COVID-19. Throughout 2020, Indigenous Peoples were disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic with, among other things, lack of access to proper health services, limited health information in Indigenous languages, minimal to no virtual education opportunities for Indigenous students and closure of markets for the sale of goods. Indigenous Peoples proved their resilience by setting up their own networks and solutions, connecting communities to help transfer information and goods, and implementing traditional methods of protection to keep themselves safe from the virus and the intrusion of outsiders who potentially carried it. Nonetheless, as the pandemic spread, Indigenous Peoples continued to be persecuted, threatened, criminalised and killed in their efforts to defend their rights, sometimes under the guise of emergency laws enacted to mitigate the virus, but which also allowed for Indigenous Peoples’ rights to be violated and their lands to be exploited. The 62 regional and country reports and 20 reports on international processes and initiatives covered in this edition underscore these trends. IWGIA publishes this volume with the intent that it is used as a documentation tool and as an inspiration to promote, protect and defend the rights of Indigenous Peoples, their struggles, worldview and resilience.