

Ethiopia: Amhara Association of America (AAA) – Mass Murder of Amharas in Benishangul-Gumez Region (17.09.2020)






The Oromo Liberation Front passionately believes that sustainable and permanent solution to Ethiopia’s complex political problems could only be attained with an All-Inclusive democracy and participation of all political forces. To this effect, OLF had been working with various political forces including those in power of ruling the country and opposition groups to create a national consensus to solve the political crises in Ethiopia. Since, the OLF moved its leadership to the country on 15th September 2018 it committed itself to work with honesty and integrity for the success of the peace process that lead to inclusive true democracy. Although OLF was not happy on how the transition to democracy in Ethiopia was handled by PM Abiy Ahmed’s government from the very beginning, we patiently dealt with the situations with the hope that it would be improved; but not without price.
However, the Political reform started in 2018 have faced huge challenges both internally within the ruling party as well as externally with the opposition groups. The situations are getting worse from time to time and currently it reached at stage where everything is out of control leading the government to collapse. Now there is very alarming instability and fractured political prospect in the country and the public have lost hope and trust from the ruling party.
We observed a clear ‘’constitutional crisis” in the country and the party in power has fallen short of its initial promises and has been using the government organs responsible to protect the Constitution towards its own political benefits. Detaining leaders and members of opposition political parties and gross human rights violations is a day to day job of the Government security forces. Despite the atrocities, OLF and other opposition parties have continued to express their willingness to support the reform, individually as well as jointly.
The recommendations were drafted within the framework of the Ethiopian constitution and considered the fallacies of the change process and the behavior of the ruling party; the current instability and security issues; and the human rights violations. In general, we analyzed the challenges of the reform system in both directions (the ruling party and the oppositions) and proposed workable recommendation that will be implemented jointly by the ruling party and the opposition groups.
The proposed recommendations highlighted to have binding political convention that enables other political parties to take part and to ensure proper oversight of the change process in order to build genuine democracy and help create sustainable peace in the country and would ensure livelihood improvement of citizens in which the Alliance and its member organizations, as well as all other forces would play their part.
The proposed binding political convention include the establishment of:
1. Council of Foreign Relation to inspire domestic trust and gain international legitimacy.
2. Coordinated National Security Council for monitoring the implementation of the Security arrangements in regions.
3. Democratic Building Institution to protect the autonomy and authority of independent judiciary, electoral board and independent media that could hold the executives accountable.
4. A body that resolve conflict and disparity between State building and Nation building to create national consensus on resolving outstanding political problems.
5. A body that would monitor the implementation of the convention to limit the quest of any further extension to the election and set out appropriate election date.
We also indicated the implementation of the recommendations including the details of responsibilities, system, and mechanism by which these parties would operate. We believe implementing these proposed recommendations will help to build democracy and help create sustainable peace in the country. It also addresses the security issues in regional states among themselves as well as the disparity between the government and opposition parties and differences among the oppositions themselves as well as address issue of contradictory stand on “State-Building” and “Nation-Building.
Therefore, we strongly suggest that the Ethiopian government should reconsider these recommendations as we believe it will resolve the current widespread crises. Also, we would like to reiterate our willingness to play our part in genuine democratic process if stakeholders discharge their responsibilities.
In this instance, we would like to appeal to the international community to take serious action to safe Ethiopia from constitutional crises and total chaos. Particularly, we strongly appeal to the African Union’s (AU), the UN bodies, EU, and other international community to urge the Ethiopian government to engage with negotiation with opposition parties and jointly set out a road map to all-inclusive democracy through power sharing transitional government that will prepare and implement free and fair elections.
We praise the African Union’s (AU) role in leading and promoting dialogue-centered approach to conflict prevention and resolution in many African countries to maintain peaceful and secure Africa. We believe that the current crises in Ethiopia demands, more than any other entity, serious attention from the AU. In accordance with the article 4(h) of the Constitutive Act of the AU the Union has a right to intervene in a member state to prevent grave violations of human
rights. The national and international evidence clearly shows the continuous gross violations of human rights are committed by Ethiopian Regime on Ethiopian civilians for the last 27 years and in unprecedented scale in the last two years. In addition, there are Organized and strong armed forces emerging in most regional states that threaten the general governance and bring about security crises throughout the country.
Given the current crises and fast-moving potential conflicts and threats, the AU must intervene and excel its responsibility sooner than later. Also we would like to stress that the current situation in Ethiopia not only disintegrate the second largest country in Africa but also one of the biggest impediments to achieve AU Aspiration 4 of Agenda 2063 which aspires for “A peaceful and secure Africa”. Moreover, being Finfinnee (Addis Ababa) is the seat of FDRE, capital city of Oromia and the seat of AU headquarters, the security of the AU office and safety of more than
2000 employees working there must be taken into account in line with current peace and instability issues Ethiopia and in particular in Oromia.
We realize the role of UN in averting crises in the world and would like the UN bodies including UN Security Council (UNSC), the UN Human Rights Council, and others play their part in averting the current crises in Ethiopia. Particularly, the UNSC who has primary responsibility, under the UN Charter, for the maintenance of international peace and security, should not give a blind eye when one of the second largest country in Africa is encountered with political, social, human rights and economic crises and eventually collapse.
We appreciate the leading role the EU is playing in promoting economic integration, peace, and stability in Ethiopia, whilst supporting the implementation of national reform agenda and forming diversified development cooperation with Ethiopia. However, the Political reform started in 2018 have faced huge challenges, miss managed by PM Abiy and collapsed. This will halt the EU partnership and all the EU ambitions to Ethiopia. So, we believe that the EU will intervene with its capacities to avert the huge political crises that its key partners in the region is facing now.
Therefore:
1. We call up on the AU to intervene into the crises in Ethiopia based on its constitutive right stated in article 4(h) and other supporting articles of the Union.
2. We call up on the UNSC to take appropriate measures in accordance with its obligations stated in Article 39 and 41 of the UN constitutive act as the threats to peace and security is clearly evidenced in Ethiopia. We also appeal to UNHRC to act accordingly to address gross human rights violations in Ethiopia.
3. We call upon the EU to give serious attention to the instability in Ethiopia, especially Oromia, as this is huge conflict of a century and immensely affect the peace and stability in the horn of Africa, and affect the diplomatic and development partnerships of European countries with Ethiopia.
4. We call upon all Political Parties in Ethiopia to seriously take our proposal and work with us to avert looming and eminent chaos.
We hereby also call upon Independent Oromo Political Forces and the General Oromo people to prepare for Transitional Government of Oromia to avert any form of political and Security crisis. The OLF will continue to consult stakeholders on this position at both levels of government.
Victory to the Masses!
Oromo Liberation Front
Finfinnee
September 13, 2020

The Prosperity Party and the Federal Government under Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali have today been humiliated on a national level. The PM have now seen that the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) acted in defiance and went along with the elections in the Tigray Regional State.
The TPLF went along with it, even as the House of Federation (HoF) has called it unconstitutional and “void”. Even, if the TPLF is following the procedures of the Constitution and gets representation on local level in a timely fashion. Something, the Federal Government have suspended nationwide.
That is why the 9th September 2020 is a humbling experience for the Prime Minister. A man who isn’t elected by the people, but selected within the Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Defence Force (EPRDF). It was an internal election within the ruling coalition, which later has been rebranded into a one-party banner without the TPLF. That is how the PM consolidated power, but has lost one region and their party.
Today, the former leaders of the EPRDF, the deflectors and the ones leaving the Federal Government is teaching them a lesson. The Prosperity Party has shown its not democratic or have the values of progression of that. The PP has shown that with its political prisoners, extra-judicial killings and so fourth. The suspension of general elections is yet another step in this.
That is why the Prime Minister is losing. The Federal Government can challenge and say the exercise isn’t valid. Still, it is a losing game. They know they are in the wrong suspending the elections and cannot defend it. They are postponing and only buying time. As the popularity isn’t there.
That is why the violence in Oromia, Amhara and elsewhere is state sponsored. While the state blames the citizens and the opposition. The opposition who has their leaders behind bars and the journalists, who stands up to the PP.
The Prime Minister knows this. The results of the Tigray Elections today isn’t important in the sense of who gets elected or get to represent in the region. It is even more important as a signal of how the PM have failed. The elections today is a proof that the TPLF does things accordingly and correct. Even, when everyone around them tell them to stop.
That clearly didn’t work… The TPLF and the Regional Government of Tigray have won today. They have proven themselves and delivered. A peaceful and orderly elections. While the PP trying to spin things from Addis Ababa. Where they are promising reforms, but the regions have only seen the weapons and arbitrary arrests.
There are reports that 75% of the Registered Voters have cast the ballots in this election in Tigray. That is big win. No matter what results.
The winners today is the public of Tigray, the TPLF and the losers are the Federal Government and the Prime Minister. They tried to challenge it and silence it. However, that didn’t work and the public have showed their face.
The PM has been mocked today, the House of Federation has been shunned and the Council of Ministers should act-up before they are looking like fools too. The TPLF have shown character and finesse here. The PP needs to talk to TPLF. The PP needs to accept the election and look into the reasons for its suspension of elections in general. They are proven wrong and with such a class act. The TPLF did the right thing and the public answered to it. Something the PM and PP haven’t done in general. Peace.

Yesterday, the House of Federation (HoF) have answered the state of Tigray and their State Government who is issuing an election on the 9th September 2020. A local government election, which the HoF claims is unconstitutional. However, that is ironic. I will prove that in a second.
First, when a governing body like HoF uses the Constitution it should be air-tight. It shouldn’t be made in doubt… The Prosperity Party (PP) and the HoF is clearing missing the point. As they have earlier in the year done the unconstitutional to suspend the elections itself. So, to stop another poll because of it. Shows that they are using the constitution as they see fit and not as a guiding document, as it should be.
Fana Broadcasting Corporation stated this today: “Addis Ababa, September 6, 2020 (FBC) -The House of Federation said that Tigray regional state’s plan to hold election next Wednesday is unconstitutional. In a statement issued at the end of an urgent meeting held yesterday, September 6, the House unanimously voted not to recognize the results of the election” (…) “As per article 9(1) of the Ethiopian constitution, the decisions and activities will not be recognized and enforced, the statement stated” (Fana BC – ‘Tigray’s planned election unconstitutional: House of Federation’ 06.09.2020).
As we see, they are using the powers of the constitution, because it fits PP and the Prime Minister’s orders of earlier in the year. When they suspended the August elections in 2020. So, they will postpone elections and cling to power without the validation or being proper representation of the public. Since, they are not allowing the public to vote or decide their rulers.
That’s why this one from earlier this year says it all….
National Election Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) stated this on the 1st April 2020: “After engaging in election operation and preparation activities, the National Election Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) had announced an election timetable. Based on this election timetable, the elections were to be held on August 29, 2020, and the Board was carrying out tasks as outlined in the timetable, and providing updates to the public regularly. Accordingly, several tasks were needed to be completed in March and April 2020; among them are: voter registration; recruitment of poll workers; training and deployment; voter education; and dissemination of voter registration materials, etc” (…) “Understanding that the Board cannot hold elections one month before the current parliament’s tenure ends, as stipulated in the Constitution, the Board will submit this decision and its analysis to the House of People’s Representatives to utilize as input should they choose to take further action” (NEBE, 01.04.2020).
When we know that… and the NEBE knows they are in the wrong suspending the August Elections. The HoF knows they are in the wrong stopping regional or state elections in the Tigray. The HoF used article 9(1). However, there are other articles that defends the Tigray and their will to hold elections in time.
Why aren’t the HoF looking into the Article 88(1): “Guided by democratic principles, Government shall promote and support the People’s self-rule at all levels”.
If the HoF believes in the Democratic Principals and shall promote self-rule at all levels, why are they stopping elections in 2020?
We can also use the Article 54(1): “Members of the House of Peoples’ Representatives shall be elected by the People for a term of five years on the basis of universal suffrage and by direct, free and fair elections held by secret ballot”.
That proves that the NEBE is wrong in stopping their own planned and scheduled elections for August. As the Representatives are soon on overtime and are representatives who are unconstitutional. The same can be said for the Regional Governments like the Tigray. As they are not able to hold elections.
The Federal Government blocking a state like Tigray to hold elections in time. Citing the Constitution. Should know that its easily show how they are wrong and doesn’t need to be legal scholar to prove it either. They must think people are naive and cannot access it.
The Prosperity Party should let Tigray go ahead. They should just do their thing on the 9th September 2020. As they are following the Constitution and keeping the timelines for elections. It is the Federal Government and the Prosperity Party who is breaching the constitution. As they are continuing the term of five year, not holding elections for the House of People’s Representatives.
So, if the HoF should be sincere with Tigray. They should clear the air on their own actions. As they are the ones who is unconstitutional. This is to easy to see and find arguments for. They are not honouring the articles of 54(1) and 88(1), while using 9(1) against the Tigray Regional Government (TPLF). That shows a use of force, but not respecting the same constitution they claim to uphold. Peace.






If you ever thought the guns was silent in the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. Your wrong. The Prosperity Party and Prime Minister Ahmed Ali Abiy continues to use the army and law enforcement to kill protesters. It is happening so rampantly and so easily. That the lives are taken.
There are reports that a pregnant woman was shot and killed, that kids down to the age of 10 years old as well. This is the sort of state of affairs that is going on in Ethiopia. They are cracking down on opposition, dissidents and civil disobedience. All sort of protest is met with arrests, detaining, torture and killings too. This is the reform that the PM Abiy and his men.
Here is what the numbers of the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission been dropping today and its horrific how many fatalities and extra judicial killings being done in the region of Oromia alone. Just look at these grim numbers, who are innocent people who gotten into the firing line, because they protested against the government.
“Ethiopian Human Rights Commission says there’s have been killings ‘amid protests’ in 13 places in Oromia in past few days.
Other deaths amid protests/communal violence in the past month or so:
– Wolyata (17 deaths)
– Konso (17 deaths)
– Benishangul (14 deaths)” (Kalkidan Yibeltal, 20.08.2020).
“Since 18 August 2020:
-Death toll in the Oromia-wide protests is estimated to be above 120
-500+ wounded as hospitals in Hararghe and West Arsi are overwhelmed with civilians.
-Hundreds more citizens detained to quash protests” (Ethiopian Human Rights Commission, 20.08.2020).
That his is happening so easy. That lives are taken without any consideration is worrying. This is the second slaughter for the state in a short amount of time. In early July there was reports of massive amount fatalities and arrests. Therefore, after the protests in July after the assassination of Hachalu Hundessa. Which now continues… and seems like a non-stop brigade of death squads targeting civilians in Oromia.
It is just mere days since the Wolaita Zone and the fatalities there. The PP and the PM is persistent in their ways. They are continuing a destructive behaviour. Still the international silence and lack of response is worrying. Especially, when the head of state is a Nobel laureate. Who shouldn’t kill his own, no one should kill their own, but that is what he does. As the unelected head of state, who has postponed the elections and are using armed forces against his own. That is the sort of man he is.
It is a bloodshed. The amount of deaths are staggering. What is possible, that the numbers are even worse, as there is always some not noted. Also, some are dying later of the injuries made during the protests. Therefore, the numbers are most likely worse, but they shows a pattern and what the state does to its own.
PM Abiy are you proud of killing your own? Prosperity Party is this your legacy and how you want to be remembered? Peace.




On the 9th August 2020 in Wolayita zone, 28 leaders was arrested. After that there been running demonstrations. The Wolaita National Movement (WNM) wants an autonomous state in the Federation, just like Sidama got recently.
Certainly, the Prosperity Party and the Prime Minister Ahmed Ali Abiy have not taken this wish kindly. The PM tried to block Sidama as a state. Therefore, doing it here too, would make sense and be a pattern for the Head of State. Also, the erupting violence and the escalation of soldiers killing civilians. While the authorities are saying its the victims fault and the WNM who are working with TPLF and Querro/OLF. Another pattern of the state. While they are sending trucks of soldiers to Sodo and using violence against civilians. This is becoming a repeating story under PM Abiy.
Where people are standing up against injustice and wants recognition, but the Federal Government answers with guns and arrests of its leaders. The same happen in Oromia, as its happening in Wolayita. This is another zone, but the same results. The same innocent civilians ending up as fatalities in the hands of law enforcement and soldiers.
Recent violence in the region:
“In another news, Public Relations of the Walayita National Movement (WNM) Andualem Tadesse said government security forces killed 21 civilians and wounded 105 others amid in the Walayita zone of southern Ethiopia. The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission said the police used excessive force to disperse the protestors who demanded the release of the zone’s officials. The commission confirmed the death of five people and arrest of 178 people including 26 officials of the zone” (Ezega News – ‘National Army is United, Not Divided, Says Chief of Staff’ 11.08.2020).
“Nuso Times today reports that military forces have killed a number of citizens in Sodo, Wolayta and among the dead is a pregnant mother. The death toll has currently risen to 30 with over 179 injured and 56 critically injured” (Ethiopia HRC, 12.08.2020).
TPLF condemns the killing:
“Once again, the answer to the people’s questions is kidnapping, arresting leaders who have risen in public demand, persecuting, arresting, and killing forces that believe in legitimate and peaceful politics. The actions taken by the Wolayita people a few days ago, claiming that they will suppress the constitutional demand for self-determination, also stem from this oppressive, unitary dictatorship. He reaffirmed in response to public inquiries that he had been killed, persecuted and arrested” (…) “On this occasion, the TPLF would like to reaffirm our solidarity with the Wolayita and other oppressed peoples in order to immediately put an end to this unconstitutional, anti-democratic and unitary dictatorship’s actions against the Ethiopian people” (TPLF, 11.08.2020).
We are seeing the numbers are rising. This means the possible amounts might run even higher. They are already grim, as the demonstrations came quickly after the arrests of the leaders on the 9th August 2020. Within 3 days there are reports of 30 dead. That is 10 people a day on the watch of the government and with the orders of the same authorities.
This is grim… worrying and should concern people. As the same state killed hundreds during the protests in Oromia during the protests there. Now, the same tactic is used in Wolayita zone, which also wants to become a Federal State too. This is the cost for becoming autonomous, apparently. A deadly wish and the costly protest against the state.
The state have two answers to the ones defying it:
– Arrests, fatalities and injuries
– Blame the victims and hope nobody questions it.
Ethiopia is burning, one zone at the time, apparently. Peace.