To:
⮚ The United Nations
⮚ The African Union
⮚ The European Union
⮚ The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD)
⮚ The United States of America, the State Department
⮚ The United Kingdom
⮚ The Russia Federation
⮚ The People’s Republic of China
Subject: Foundational Failure of the National Dialogue Commission in Ethiopia
Ethiopia has been facing multitudes of historical, political, social, economic, constitutional, and structural problems. Many believe that these problems should be resolved through honest national dialogue, consultation, negotiation, and reconciliation. To allegedly address the nation’s complex issues that caused deep-rooted ethnic tensions and conflicts, the Ethiopian government has established the National Dialogue Commission under proclamation number 1265/2021.
However, the National dialogue commission is beset by critical problems from its very inception. Many stakeholders and the public at large have questioned the legitimacy of the nomination and selection process of the national dialogue commissioners. The current practice of the commission is not free from the influence and intervention of the Prosperity Party. As a result, a significant number of opposition political parties of the country rejected the credibility of the commission and refrained from participating in it. In addition, insurgents in Amhara and Oromia regions, which represent over 70 percent of the population, are not part of the National dialogue.
Although the National dialogue commission claims to have selected participants and gathered agendas for the national dialogue in 10 regions, the process systematically excluded over 25 million of Amharas residing in these regions. So far, participants were selected for agenda gathering and National dialogue along ethnic lines and Prosperity Party (PP) structure.
Therefore, in its current status the commission has failed to be all inclusive and demonstrated that it’s handling of the National dialogue could not lead to the aspired resolution of the fundamental and actual problems of the country.
In a gross injustice of history, the Amhara people were unrepresented during the 1991 Transitional process and the subsequent Transitional Government of Ethiopia as well as the process of drafting and approving the 1995 constitution of the country. As a result, the Amhara people have been subjected to political and statistical marginalization causing deprivation, dismissal from government structure, and systematic cleansing across the country. Besides, Amhara’s historical territories were illegally annexed to Tigray, Oromia and Benishangul-Gumuz regions. In addition, over 25 million Amharas who live in other regions have not political nor legal representation. Horrifyingly, millions of Amharas have been victims of social engineering, ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity in the past three decades.
Since 2017, atrocities against Amhara in Oromia and Benishangul Gumuz regions has greatly intensified to genocide and causing unprecedented displacement of Amharas in the two regions.
The 2021-2022 war between Tigray region and the Federal government has inflicted huge human and material losses further deepening the economic and social crisis in the Amhara region. In the on-going war in Amhara region, the Federal government committed war crime, crime against humanity and genocide. It has been using sexual harassment and hunger as war instrument in the region.
On top of its blatant disregard to the above historical and structural injustices, the National dialogue commission reportedly intends to proceed with selection of participants for agenda setting under the following utterly chaotic and unfavourable situation in Amhara region.
a) The Ethiopian government National Defense Force (ENDF) used air and ground forces (aircraft, drones, and heavy artillery) killing thousands of innocent Amhara civilians, including children, women, and the elderly;
b) Thousands of Amhara scholars, politicians, journalists, social activists, human rights advocates, and youths are being arbitrarily detained in prisons, and military camps;
c) More than 7 million Amhara children are out of school due to fear of the government drone, air, and heavy artillery attacks;
d) Millions of Amhara Fanos and youths are fighting against the fascist and genocidal Abiy Ahmed regime;
e) More than a million Amharas are internally displaced and over hundred thousands of homes in Addis Ababa and surrounding area were demolished targeting mainly ethnic Amharas.
Hence, under the above circumstances confirmed by local and international human rights orgnizations , conducting the National dialogue in the Amhara region is grossly irresponsible and unacceptable. It will nullify both the process and the outcome of the National dialogue. We, the Amhara political prisoners, strongly believe that there is no space for National dialogue, consultation, negotiation, and reconciliation in Ethiopia. Experience from other countries indicated that National dialogue will not succeed without legitimate, inclusive, and independent facilitating bodies as well as an enabling environment.
Therefore, we highly condemn the illegitimate and politically motivated National dialogue that disregards the constitutional, structural, and existential concerns victimizing the Amhara people.
To this end we call upon the international community, funders, international organizations, and countries addressed in this letter to recognize our concern, immediately intervene, and reconsider the financial and technical support to the National dialogue commission.
We want to assure you that the outcome of the National dialogue commission under the current conditions will fuel the existing ethnic-based conflicts, create unforeseen civil war, genocide, and lead Ethiopia to a total collapse as well as destabilize the horn of Africa.
Sincerely
Lists of Amhara Political Prisoners
- Hon. Mr. Yohanes Boyalew
- Hon. Mr. Christian Tadele
- Hon. Dr. Kassa Teshager
- Dr. Wondewosen Asefa
- Dr.Tewodros H/mariam
- Dr. Meseret Kelemework
- Dr. Sisay Awgichew
- Dr. Mearegu Biyabeyen
- Dr. Chane Kebede
- Dr. Zerihun Baheriw
- Dr. Gibreab Alemu
- Mr. Alelegn Mihretu
- Mrs. Meskerem Abera (Journalist)
- Mr. Gobeze Sisay (Journalist)
- Mr. Dawit Begashaw (Journalist)
- Miss. Genet Asemamaw (Journalist)
- Mr. Abay Zewdu (Journalist)
- Mr. Tesfay Mekuriaw
- Mr. Tadesse Wodaynew
- Artist. Yordanos Aleme
- Mr. Menber Alemu
- Mr. Sisay Melkamu
- Mr. Biset Terefe
- Mr. Dawit Ebabu
- Mr. Masresha Eneyew
- Mr. Tewodros Teshome
- Mr. Andebet Teshager
- Mr. Abreham Getnet
- Mr. Molalegn Sisay
- Mr. Habtamu Dagne
- Mr. Chane Zeyede
- Mr. Samuel Beze
- Miss. Halima Mohamed
- Mr. Ashagre Melese
- Mr. Dagne Abebe
- Mr. Tilaye Yitayew
- Er. Firdu Tafere
- Er. Tizazu Yitbarek
- Saj. Gorefe Wotate
- Mr. Belay Adamu
- Mr. Mulugeta Agzew
- Mr. Kefale Esubalew
- Mr. Amare Melese
- Mr. Tewodros Nibret
- Mr. Tadele Asefa
- Mr. Wotetu Desalegn
- Mr. Desalegn Ejigu
- Mr. Admasu Alemu
- Mr. Shibeshi Mekonnen
- Mr. Tewodros Tamiran
- Mr. Birehanu Tewelegn
- Mr. Tariku Tadesse
- Mr. Desale Alemu
- Mr. Habtamu Fekadu
- Mr. Eyob Tamiru
- Mr. Fetalew Ademasu
- Mr. Mekonnen Desalegn
- Mr. Getenet Amare
- Mr. Dejen G/tsadik
- Mr. Gizachew Tamiru
- Mr. Fentahun Fikadu
- Mr. Wondemu Berehe
- Mr. Abdurehman Ahmedin
- E/r. Yeshiwas Aletaseb
- Saj. Altasb Dinku
- Mr. Samson Mamo
- Mr. Desalegn Wubu
- Mr. Habtamu Teshager
- Mr. Meleku Tesfe
- Mr. Asemamaw Arega
- Mr. Misganaw Abatneh
- Mr. Hussien Seid
- Mr. Micheal Melak (Human Right Defender &Journalist)
- Mr. Brehanu Sileshi
- Mr. Eskender Shiferaw
- Miss. Hiwot Alemayehu
- Mr. Aron Tirefe
- Mr. Haile Tadesse
- Mr. Bisrat Kassaye
- Mr. Solomon Fikadu
- Mr. Amanuel Yalew
- Mr. Samuel Yalew
- Mr. Brehanu Manaye
- Mr. Habtamu Andarege
- Mr. Bantayehu Ayalew
- Mr. Tesfaye Birku
- Mr. Ashenafi Yihune
- Mr. G/mariam Setegn
- Mr. Meseret Worku
- Mr. Melake Misale
- Mr. Aweke Sineshaw
- Mr. Gete Amenu
- E/r. Dawit Yifru
- Mr. Alemhulutena H/micheal
- Mr. Fekadu Mengiste
- Mr. Manaye Ayele
- Mr. Yilem Bezabih
- Mr. Abreham Ayana
- Mr. Zena Hailu
- Mr. Andualem Ashagre
- Mr. Wubet Akale
- Mr. Ermiyas Mekuria
- Mr. Zenebe Shita
- Mr. Amanuel Haile
- Mr. Hassen Mohamed 106.
Mr. Abdulkader Mohammed - Mr. Wogene Sirak
- Mr. Endashaw Mandefro
- Mr. Muluneh Ayetenfesu
- Mr. Melayekt Amare
- Mr. Chernet Zemene
- Mr. Yilake Gedamu
- Mr. Tamirat Misganaw
- Mr. Abebaw Fekadu
- Mr. Chilot Yismaw
- Mr. Lakew Mose
- Mr. Habtamu Fentaw
- Mr.Tseghan H/mariam
- Dr. Daniel Teshe
- Mr. Sintayehu Nigatu
- Mr. Asamenew Tadese
- Mr. Marew Sileshi
- Mr. Fasil Getachew
- Mr. Mesele Cheru
- Mr. Shegaw Muhabaw
- Mr. Tadese Melese
- Mr. G/micheal Abaye
- Mr. Mekuanent Tesfu
- Mr. Amanuel Belete
- Mr. Endale Gize
- Mr. Henok Wale
- Mr. Muluken Tesfa
- Mr. Kenaw Tsegaye
- Mr. Endesew Getu
- Mr. Yenalem Mekonen
- Mr. Temesgen Tachebele
- Mr. Wondwosen Assefa
138.Mr. Dinknew Mekuanenet - Mr. Temesgen Zena
- Mr. Melkamu Tinfe
- Mr. Eyasu Gelagel
- Mr. Daniel Gulema
- Mr. T/brehan Zewdu
- Mr. Abreham Abeje
- Mr. Chane Demeke
- Mr. Cherent Eshetu
- Mr. Setegn Beyeno
- Mr. Tesema Melese
- Mr. Asemamaw Melak
- Mr. Dachew Getu
- Mr. Bekure Mulate
- Mr. Desalegn Jenbere
- Mr. Nigusu Tilahun
- Mr. Adisu Derebew
- Mr. Mola Bazezew
- Mr. Belay Sisay
- Mr. Yonatan Girma
- Mr. Yimer Mohamed
- Mr. Niguse Yilekal
- Mr. Habtamu Dagnew
- Mr. Tadele Melkamu
- Mr. Samuel Mengistu
- Mr. Destaw Mamo
- Mr. Endasegnew Kibeb
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Kilinto Prison Center January, 2025
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Kilinto Prison Center January, 2025
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