From: Oromo community and civic groups in United States
December 14, 2022
The Honorable Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State, U.S. Department of State
RE: American-Oromo Communities Express Horror at Gruesome Violence and Growing Crisis in Oromia
We, the below-signed Oromo Communities of the United States, write to express our horror at the escalating human rights violations, aerial bombardment, and devastating loss of civilian life at the hands of government and armed forces in the Oromia Regional State in Ethiopia. In the month since the Pretoria peace agreement was signed by the Federal Government of Ethiopia and the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF), the conflict in Oromia has greatly intensified, with numerous ongoing attacks resulting in the deaths of hundreds of civilians and the mass displacement of thousands more.
In the wake of such gross human rights abuses by the current regime, compounded by extreme drought conditions currently affecting the region, we express deep concern at the failure of the US to condemn current attacks in Oromia. We join our voices to urge the United States to use all diplomatic tools at its disposal to condemn human rights abuses in Oromia and pressure the Ethiopian government to seek peaceful means to address conflicts throughout Ethiopia.
Over the past month, indiscriminate attacks across Oromia have drastically increased, with multiple drone strikes in heavily populated areas killing dozens of civilians. In addition to violence by state actors, attacks by Amhara militias (Fano) against Oromo civilians have also ramped up, reaching unprecedented and gruesome levels throughout western and central Oromia.
A report released by the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission confirmed that grave human rights violations occurring in the Oromia region are attributable to both government security forces and non-state armed groups. On top of the conflict, drought conditions are causing elevated levels of acute malnutrition and hunger-related mortality, with over 5 million people in acute need of food assistance in Oromia.
We, the Oromo communities of the United States, call on the US government to:
- Use all diplomatic tools at its disposal to pressure the Ethiopian government to immediately cease all hostilities and engage in a genuine, countrywide peace process, including with all parties to the hostilities.
- Advocate for a peace process that comprehensively addresses the concerns of all nations and nationalities in Ethiopia, particularly the Oromo, who represent the largest segment of the population.
- Engage with the Oromo diaspora community and Oromo civic, professional, and religious organizations and leaders to inform policy decisions.
- Call for unhindered medical and humanitarian aid across the entirety of Ethiopia.
We thank the Secretary for his attention to this letter and welcome the opportunity to meet and discuss these issues in detail.
With regards, Oromo Community Organization – DMV, and 30+ co-signing Oromo community and civic organizations across the United States.
