UMD Media, November 28, 2024
Memorial Vigil in the City of Axum Nov 28, 20224 (Pic. Abel Tsgabu)
On November 28, 2024, Tigrayans across the region and in the diaspora solemnly marked the fourth anniversary of the Axum Massacre, a tragic chapter of the Tigray War. During this atrocity, Eritrean Defense Forces (EDF) killed hundreds of civilians in the historic city of Axum. The massacre, which unfolded on November 28-29, 2020, involved extrajudicial killings, indiscriminate shelling, and widespread looting, with estimates of civilian deaths ranging from 800 to over 1,000.
Amnesty International’s 2021 report described the systematic killing of unarmed civilians by EDF troops, actions it suggested may constitute crimes against humanity. Similarly, Human Rights Watch documented the events, underscoring the urgent need for an independent investigation into the atrocities.
In Axum, survivors and families of the victims gathered to honor the memory of those lost, holding solemn memorial services and candlelight vigils. Community leaders renewed calls for justice and accountability, appealing to international bodies to act against those responsible for the massacre.
Global human rights organizations continue to advocate for comprehensive investigations and accountability measures to ensure justice for the victims of the Axum Massacre and other crimes committed during the Tigray War.
As Tigrayans reflect on this painful anniversary, their calls for peace, justice, and reconciliation resonate strongly. The hope remains that such tragedies will never recur, and that those responsible will face justice.
