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Washington Update
By Mesfin Mekonen
Washington, D.C.
The Coalition of Ethiopian Americans Civic Organizations has called on the African Union (AU) to ensure that the Amhara people and other major stakeholders are meaningfully included in future peace negotiations aimed at resolving Ethiopia’s ongoing conflicts. In a formal appeal dated October 19, 2026, the coalition urged the AU to pursue a comprehensive, inclusive, and sustainable peace process that addresses the root causes of Ethiopia’s political instability, armed confrontations, and continuing humanitarian crisis.
In a letter addressed to His Excellency Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, the coalition emphasized that lasting peace in Ethiopia cannot be achieved without the meaningful participation of all major stakeholders affected by the country’s conflicts. The letter warned that excluding significant political, ethnic, and religious communities risks undermining the legitimacy and long-term success of peace initiatives.
The coalition acknowledged the African Union’s leadership in facilitating the November 2022 Pretoria Agreement between the Ethiopian government and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF). The agreement was an important step toward ending the devastating war in northern Ethiopia. However, the coalition argued that the limited participation of other major stakeholders highlighted the need for a broader approach to peacebuilding across the country.
Although the Pretoria Agreement addressed the conflict between its signatories, Ethiopia continues to face armed confrontations, displacement, insecurity, and serious human rights concerns in several regions. According to the coalition, a peace process that addresses only selected parties cannot resolve the wider political grievances, questions of representation, and security concerns affecting Ethiopia’s diverse population.
Amhara Community’s Security and Human Rights Concerns
The coalition expressed deep concern over reports of killings, forced displacement, attacks on civilians, and other serious human rights violations affecting the Amhara population. It noted that members of the community have raised longstanding concerns about their security, political representation, and treatment within Ethiopia.
The letter also highlighted reports of attacks against Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church clergy, worshippers, and religious institutions. Such incidents, the coalition argued, threaten not only human life and property but also religious freedom, cultural heritage, and the social fabric of Ethiopian society.
The coalition called for credible and impartial investigations into allegations of serious human rights violations, effective protection for civilians, and accountability for those responsible under applicable law.
It also pointed to ongoing armed confrontations involving government forces and various armed groups, including Fano and factions associated with the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF), as evidence of the complexity of Ethiopia’s security crisis.
The coalition maintained that military action alone cannot resolve the political grievances and security concerns underlying these conflicts. Instead, it urged the African Union to support meaningful dialogue that addresses the root causes of violence and creates a foundation for peaceful coexistence.
Seven Recommendations for Sustainable Peace
In its appeal to the African Union Commission, the coalition outlined seven recommendations intended to strengthen the prospects for a comprehensive and lasting peace in Ethiopia.
First, ensure the meaningful inclusion of the Amhara people. The coalition urged the AU to ensure that representatives capable of articulating the community’s political, security, and human rights concerns participate directly in peace negotiations. Such participation, it stressed, must be substantive rather than symbolic.
Second, broaden participation to include all major stakeholders. The coalition called for an inclusive process involving affected communities, political parties, relevant armed actors, civil society organizations, religious institutions, women’s groups, and other stakeholders. It argued that a credible peace process must reflect Ethiopia’s diversity and recognize the legitimate concerns of communities throughout the country.
Third, address the root causes of Ethiopia’s conflicts. The coalition urged negotiators to confront longstanding grievances concerning political representation, equality before the law, security, human rights, constitutional governance, and fundamental freedoms. Without addressing these underlying issues, the coalition warned, any agreement risks producing only a temporary cessation of hostilities rather than a durable settlement.
Fourth, strengthen civilian protection and religious freedom. The letter called on all parties to protect civilians, prevent attacks on religious institutions, facilitate humanitarian assistance, and respect international human rights and humanitarian law. It also emphasized the need to protect communities facing violence, displacement, and threats to their religious freedom.
Fifth, promote impartial investigations and accountability. The coalition called for credible and independent investigations into reported atrocities and serious human rights violations. It urged the African Union to encourage appropriate investigative mechanisms and accountability measures that apply fairly to all parties, regardless of political affiliation or identity.
Sixth, support inclusive national dialogue and democratic reform. The coalition emphasized the need for a credible national dialogue that brings Ethiopia’s diverse communities together to address fundamental political disagreements peacefully. Such a process, it argued, should advance constitutional governance, the rule of law, democratic institutions, minority rights, and equal citizenship.
Seventh, establish a comprehensive and sustainable peace framework. The coalition encouraged the African Union to work with the Ethiopian government, relevant political and community representatives, and international partners to develop a framework with clear commitments, mechanisms for monitoring implementation, and meaningful opportunities for affected communities to participate in decisions concerning their future.
A Call for Stronger African Union Leadership
The coalition stressed that Ethiopia’s continuing instability has consequences beyond its national borders, affecting regional security, humanitarian conditions, and stability throughout the Horn of Africa.
As a founding member of the Organization of African Unity, the predecessor of the African Union, Ethiopia has historically played an important role in African diplomacy and continental affairs. The coalition argued that the AU has both a responsibility and an opportunity to help the country move away from armed conflict toward peaceful political coexistence.
Achieving that objective, the letter emphasized, will require impartial mediation, broad stakeholder participation, respect for human rights, and a willingness to address the legitimate concerns of all affected communities.
“There can be no lasting peace in Ethiopia without the meaningful inclusion of the Amhara population and other major stakeholders in the peace process,” the coalition emphasized in its appeal.
The letter warned that excluding important communities risks perpetuating the grievances, political divisions, and security challenges that have contributed to Ethiopia’s recurring conflicts.
The coalition therefore urged the African Union Commission to make inclusive participation a central principle of its engagement with Ethiopia and to encourage the establishment of a credible peace process that gives all affected communities a meaningful opportunity to shape their country’s future.
International Engagement and Accountability
In addition to addressing the African Union, the coalition’s letter was copied to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee.
The outreach reflects the coalition’s effort to encourage African and international institutions to support a peace process that prioritizes civilian protection, accountability, national reconciliation, and democratic governance.
The coalition stated its readiness to support constructive initiatives promoting peace, respect for human rights, and democratic institutions in Ethiopia. It also expressed hope that, under the leadership of the African Union Commission, a more inclusive and impartial process could help address the concerns of Ethiopia’s diverse communities and establish a foundation for lasting stability.
Conclusion: Inclusion Is Essential to Lasting Peace
Ethiopia’s path toward peace requires more than agreements between selected parties. It requires a process that recognizes the country’s diverse communities, addresses longstanding grievances, protects fundamental rights, and creates meaningful opportunities for political participation.
The central message of the Coalition of Ethiopian Americans Civic Organizations is clear: a sustainable peace agreement must include the Amhara people and all other major stakeholders whose participation is necessary to resolve Ethiopia’s interconnected conflicts.
For the African Union, the challenge is to help facilitate a peace process that goes beyond ending individual confrontations and addresses the broader political and security issues threatening the country’s future.
An inclusive, impartial, and accountable approach would offer a stronger foundation for national reconciliation and peaceful coexistence. Exclusion, by contrast, risks leaving essential grievances unresolved and prolonging the cycle of conflict.
As Ethiopia continues to confront serious challenges, the African Union’s leadership will be important in encouraging dialogue, protecting civilians, and supporting a credible political process. Lasting peace will depend on whether all affected communities have a meaningful voice in shaping Ethiopia’s future.
Mesfin Mekonen is Chairman of the Coalition of Ethiopian Americans Civic Organizations and an Ethiopian American human rights and democracy advocate based in Washington, D.C.
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