through the lens of Achille Mbembe's theory of necropolitics
Professor Girma Berhanu explores reports of unexplained deaths among Ethiopian medical doctors of Amhara origin. The article calls for transparent investigations into whether these incidents represent a targeted pattern of violence or isolated tragedies.
Why it matters
It highlights potential ethnic-based targeting of professionals in a volatile political climate, raising concerns about human rights and the safety of the intellectual class.
By Girma Berhanu (Prof.) Göteborg, Sweden
Over the past three years, reports in the public domain have suggested that an unusually high number of Ethiopian medical doctors of Amhara origin have died under tragic and, in some cases, unexplained circumstances. According to these reports, some were killed by unidentified armed actors, while others reportedly died suddenly from illnesses whose causes have not been publicly clarified. In many instances, there has been no transparent or independent investigation, leaving families, colleagues, and the wider public with unanswered questions.
Some commentators have speculated about possible explanations for some of these deaths, including allegations that they may be linked to a particular vaccination . At present, however, I have not found sufficient credible evidence to support these claims. They should therefore be regarded as unverified hypotheses rather than established facts.
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