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Statement of Worldwide Ethiopian Civic Associations on Government Transparency and Accountability

Worldwide Ethiopian Civic Associations
Google map of Ethiopia and the region

The series of high-handed, inexplicable and confounding measures taken by the central  government since the November 2020 treasonous attack by the Tigray People’s Liberation  Front (TPLF) on the Northern Command of the National Defense Forces has justifiably led  to popular resentment and disillusionment. Owing to these measures, Prime Minister Abiy  Ahmed’s government has lost the modicum of trust and credibility it might have received,  including from the Diaspora community, following the recent national elections.  

At a time when the country is under attack by internal terrorist forces and foreign  enemies, the Federal Government and the ruling party continue to take momentous  decisions in secrecy. This has understandably led many sections of the country and in the  Diaspora to question the rationale and true motives of the Government in making consequential decisions following the TPLF’s attack on the Northern Command.  

First, the dramatic declaration of a unilateral ceasefire on June 28, 2021, has led to the  unimaginably brutal devastation of the Amhara and Afar regions, with incalculable damage  to life and property, as well as to the perpetration of atrocious sexual violence against  women of all ages.  

This was followed by the December 23rd, 2021, decision not to pursue the retreating  criminal forces of the TPLF, thereby allowing the terrorist organization breathing time and  space to regroup and launch renewed aggression against the beleaguered Amhara and  Afar regions. 

And, to add insult to injury, on January 7, 2022, the Government declared amnesty for  some of the most notorious leaders of the TPLF and other extremist forces. The  justifications offered in support of the decision are palpably dubious, incomprehensible,  inconsistent, and legally questionable.  

Predictably, many Ethiopians are now concerned, and even convinced, that the above  sequence of events is but a harbinger of something even more sinister in the offing. The  Government has repeatedly shown its proclivity to take actions that undermine national  unity and popular confidence and trust.

As the country is going through a most trying period in its long history, therefore, now is  the time for the people of Ethiopia, at home and abroad, to stay united and to boldly  demand that their government be fully transparent and accountable. 

Accordingly, we call upon all Ethiopian citizens and people of Ethiopian descent in the  Diaspora to demand that the government: 

1. Rescind its recent amnesty for criminal leaders of terrorist groups, and  resolutely eliminate, once and for all, further threats from the TPLF and other  terrorist groups; 

2. Desist from taking any further actions to appease terrorist groups and foreign  powers at the expense of the national interest, including any action that may  affect the rights of the inhabitants of Wolkait, Tsegede, Tselemt and Raya that  have been forcibly annexed by the TPLF; and 

3. Acknowledge past mistakes and pledge to uphold the highest standards  oftransparency, fairness, and trustworthiness. In particular, the government  should ensure that the Amhara and Afar regions are not subjected to another  round of devastating aggression.  

In closing, we would like to affirm to the people of Ethiopia our determination to closely  follow developments back home and to respond accordingly. 

Signatories: 

1. Adwa Great African Victory Association (AGAVA) 

2. Amhara Heritage Society of Minnesota (AHSM) 

3. Association of Concerned Ethiopians in the Diaspora (ACED) 

4. Association of Former Army Officers (AFAO) 

5. Consortium of Ethiopian Civil Society Organizations (TIBIBIR) 

6. Ethiopian Dialogue Forum (EDF)  

7. Ethiopian American Development Council (EADC)  

8. Ethiopian Veterans Association (EVA) 

9. Ethiopiawinnet – Council for the Defense of Citizen Rights (E-CDCR) 10.Global Alliance for the Right of Ethiopians (GARE) 

11.Global Alliance for Justice – The Ethiopian Cause (GAJEC) 

12.Global Amhara Coalition (GAC) 

13.Major Lemma Woldetsadik Memorial Foundation  

14.Menelik Hall Foundation (MHF) 

15.Network of Ethiopian Scholars (NES) 

16.Radio Yenesew Ethiopia

17.Selassie Stand Up, Inc. 

18.The Ethiopian Broadcast Group 

19.Vision Ethiopia (VE) 

20.Worldwide Ethiopian Civic Associations Network (WE-CAN)  

21.Yeamara Hizb Sirchit 

cc:  

• H.E. Woizero Sahle-Work Zewde, President, Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia 
• H.E. Dr. Abiy Ahmed, Prime Minister, Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia 
• H.E. Ato Demeke Mekonnen, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs
• The Honorable Tagesse Chafo, Speaker of the House of Peoples’ Representatives
• The Honorable Ato Agegnehu Teshager, Speaker of the House of the Federation
• H.E. Woizero Meaza Ashenafi, President of the Federal Supreme Court of Ethiopia
• H.E. Dr. Gedion Timotheos, Minister of Justice  
• The Honorable Ato Awol Arba, President of Afar Regional State
• The Honorable Dr. Yilikal Kefale, President of Amhara Regional State

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2 COMMENTS

  1. Until the tplf faces justice for the atrocities it did in Afar and Amhara, and is held accountable for all the ethnic hatred and stealing it did for 27 years n Ethiopia, we will never have peace in Ethiopia. It should also renounce once and forever its hegemony over other Ethiopians.

  2. Too many people share this major concern. There is huge gap between lack of and misunderstanding of government’s interpretation of its duty and responsibility and citizens right. It could be from living under tyrannical governments for many years by self appointed rulers that this government could not get out from. If that the case rigorous training on how to respect people’s opinion, governments’ responsivity and transparency must be given to every individual starting from the PM himself down to kebele and below positions. If this cannot be achieved in a civilized manner it means those people are incapable of recuperation and cure from the old dictatorial disease and therefore must be replaced with totally new, educated and capable to accept new democratic ideas…

    Already signs of tyrannical and authoritarians languages and mishaps are popping up from the PM himself. Language or arrogance, know it all, I’m the only one who know what is good for you, I’m the only decision maker and threating to punish those who oppose me and those who are not inline are emerging before even finishing the war. Dismissing and denying the truth and fabricating news and history is already in the way despite what the whole millions of population already witnessed. So people do not want the old EPRDF deja vu in a new name and the same old party members.

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