October 22, 2026
The Honorable Marco Rubio
Secretary of State
United States Department of State
2201 C Street NW
Washington, DC 20520
Dear Secretary Rubio:
We, the undersigned Ethiopian American civic and community organizations, committed to Ethiopia’s sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity, to the protection of its people, and to the principles of peace, justice, and democratic governance, write to express our concern about your recent remarks referring to “separatists” and “acts of terrorism” in connection with the conflict in Ethiopia. We are concerned that, given the diversity of actors involved, these terms could be understood as a broad characterization of the armed opposition generally. We would therefore welcome further clarification of the context and intended scope of these references to help ensure that public interpretations accurately reflect distinctions among various movements, their stated objectives, and their conduct.
We recognize the United States’ legitimate interest in regional stability and threats to civilian security. Although your remarks did not name any group, the principal armed opposition forces are widely known, and many belong to the newly formed Ethiopian Peoples’ Forces Alliance for Survival, a coalition of armed and political forces from all parts of the country. The Alliance has publicly stated that its objectives are to prevent national fragmentation, restore peace and stability, and enable Ethiopians to determine their country’s future through an inclusive political transition and democratic process. These stated objectives merit careful consideration in assessing whether the term “separatist” accurately describes the coalition.
We do not ask the United States to endorse any armed or political organization or to accept its claims without scrutiny. Rather, we respectfully urge that assessments distinguish among an organization’s declared political objectives, independently verified conduct, and responsibility for specific incidents. Labels that do not account for historical and political realities behind Ethiopia’s present crisis risk obscuring the legitimate struggle of many Ethiopians for security, survival, dignity, and protection from gross human rights violations. Opposition to a government is not, by itself, separatism or terrorism; nor can political grievance justify attacks on civilians.
The Alliance maintains that it resorted to armed struggle only after the space for peaceful political participation had effectively closed, and security conditions for many of its constituent communities had deteriorated sharply. It states its purpose as protecting the population and pursuing political change, not targeting civilians or employing terrorist tactics, a commitment it has demonstrated thus far in its conduct, including its military operations.
Mr. Secretary,
We do not exempt any armed actor from its obligations under international humanitarian law, and we support impartial accountability for unlawful attacks on civilians by all parties. That principle must apply equally to the regime in Ethiopia. The US State Department’s own 2024 Human Rights Report documented credible reports of unlawful killings, enforced disappearances, torture, and arbitrary detention by government security forces, with few, if any, officials held to account. Respected international and human rights organizations have further accused the Ethiopian military of war crimes, crimes against humanity, ethnic cleansing, conflict-related sexual violence, the weaponization of food, and genocide. Meanwhile, civilians in Tigray, Amhara, Oromia, and Benishangul-Gumuz continue to suffer aerial bombardment and artillery attacks.
We urge the United States to condemn these abuses clearly and publicly, and to back that condemnation with concrete action, including support for independent investigations and targeted measures against those responsible. We also ask the Department to acknowledge the Alliance’s publicly stated commitment to Ethiopia’s sovereignty, unity, democratic transition, and national reconciliation, and to weigh those objectives alongside its verified conduct, as the United States supports efforts to promote peace and
stability in Ethiopia and the Horn of Africa subregion as a whole.
Carefully calibrated language and balanced action strengthen U.S. diplomacy by reducing misunderstanding, discouraging escalation, and preserving space for inclusive dialogue. In keeping with your call for de-escalation and dialogue, we urge continued American engagement to support humanitarian relief, credible accountability, and an Ethiopian-led political settlement.
We remain committed to an Ethiopia united through justice, mutual respect, equality, and the democratic consent of its people. We respectfully express hope that continued U.S. engagement will advance these principles and help create conditions for a just and lasting peace.
Thank you for your consideration.
Respectfully,
Signatories
1. Ethiopians Cooperate for Victory and Transition
2. Ethiopian Solidarity Movement (ESM)
3. Ye-abronet Ethiopia
4. Amhara Diaspora Global Forum
5. Oromos for Justice, Solidarity and Truth (OJST)
6. Union of Tigrayns in North America (UTNA)
7. Somali People’s Alliance for Self-Determination (SPAS)
8. RISE: Southern Peoples Civic & Political Forces (SPCPF)
9. Security and Justice for Tigrayans (SJT)
10. Tigray Global Council (TGC)
11. Vision Ethiopia
Editor’s Note: Views in the article do not necessarily reflect the views of borkena.com
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