Secretary Antony Blinken, The State Department
RE: Mr. Batte Urgeessa's Assassination and the Grave Danger the Members and Supporters of Oromo Opposition Parties in Ethiopia Face
Dear Mr. Secretary,
On April 9, 2024, members of the Oromo Community Organization of the Washington DC Metropolitan Area (OCO DMV) and Oromos worldwide woke up to the news of the assassination of Mr. Batte Urgessa, a senior leader in the opposition Oromo Liberation Front. Mr. Batte was a well-versed, principled critic of the regime's disregard for law and order and the narrowing of democratic space in Ethiopia. According to multiple sources, he was forcibly removed from his hotel room at night, and his bullet-riddled body was later found dumped in a remote area.
In the months leading up to this act, Mr. Batte had been repeatedly incarcerated and tortured. Recent investigative reporting has suggested the existence of a clandestine committee known as "Koree Nageenyaa" (Committee of Peace), which selects individuals for elimination based on their support for or membership in the Oromo Liberation Army.
Mr. Batte's assassination comes amid a wave of violence against Oromo civilians in Wallo and Wollega, conducted by FANO militia, Amhara regional forces, and federal security forces. We are deeply concerned for the safety of Oromo opposition members and the Oromo public as the next election approaches.
We appeal to the Secretary to use the US government's diplomatic, economic, and global influence to press Ethiopia's government to:
- Uphold the constitution
- Enforce law and order
- Release all political prisoners
- Enforce the Magnitsky Act
- Allow an independent investigation of Mr. Batte Urgessa’s assassination
- Ensure an international entity oversees the execution of transitional justice
- Prevent genocide in Oromia
- Bring “Koree Nageenyaa” to the ICC
We also ask that the Secretary help ensure food aid reaches Oromos displaced by conflict and drought.
Respectfully, Bahiru Duguma (Ph.D.), President, OCO DMV Board
