Negalegne Mequanint

Peace and Harmony Advocate: Former Diplomat: Poetry Lover! RT ≠ Endorsement!

[borkena @zborkena]

Political Prisoners Moved to Secret Locations After Refusing Government Pardon Document. Read more.

https://t.co/tFzRlX1HOs #Ethiopia #humanrights #politicalprisoners

[The American-Ethiopian Public Affairs Committee @AmericaEthiopia]

Drone Attacks on Christian Monks, Nuns, and Monasteries in Ethiopia: A Call for International Attention

The American Ethiopian Public Affairs Committee condemns the continued reports of attacks affecting Christian religious communities, including monks, nuns, churches, and monasteries in Ethiopia.

Under Article 8 of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, intentionally directing attacks against buildings dedicated to religion or against civilians may constitute war crimes. Reports of attacks affecting places of worship and religious communities therefore warrant prompt, independent, and impartial investigation to establish the facts and ensure accountability where violations of international law are found.

A report published by Deutsche Welle (DW), Germany's international broadcaster, cited eyewitness accounts and statements from monastery officials regarding a reported drone strike on Abune Aregawi and Saint Arsema Unity Monastery in Bore District, South Wollo Zone, Amhara Region. The reported incident represents a deeply troubling development that requires urgent international attention.

According to accounts reported by Deutsche Welle and statements from monastery representatives, the reported drone strike resulted in:

• The deaths of two nuns.

• Injuries to 11 additional nuns and monks.

• A total of 14 people reportedly affected by the attack.

• Several victims reportedly suffering serious injuries, including severe bodily trauma.

The reported attack also caused extensive damage to the monastery complex. According to the report:

• The monastery's work facilities were completely destroyed.

• Stored grain supplies were ruined.

• Parts of the church compound were damaged.

• The monastery's water tank and water-supply infrastructure were severely affected.

Religious institutions, places of worship, and civilian communities must be protected during armed conflict. Any attack resulting in civilian deaths, injuries to religious personnel, or destruction of religious and cultural sites requires an independent, impartial investigation and accountability consistent with international humanitarian law and international human rights law.

Call for International Action

The American Ethiopian Public Affairs Committee calls upon the United States Government, the European Union, the Vatican, global Christian and interfaith organizations, the United Nations, the International Criminal Court (where jurisdictional requirements are met), international religious freedom advocates, and human rights organizations to urgently examine these reports and take meaningful action.

We call on:

• The United States Government and the European Union to use diplomatic channels to demand the protection of civilians, religious communities, and places of worship, and to support credible investigations into reported violations.

• The Vatican and global Christian organisations to raise awareness, advocate for the protection of Ethiopia's Christian communities, and stand in solidarity with affected monks, nuns, clergy, and worshippers.

• The United Nations, international human rights organisations, and relevant African regional human rights mechanisms to independently investigate reported attacks, document violations, and support accountability for those responsible where evidence establishes violations of international law.

• Religious freedom organisations and faith leaders worldwide to defend the right of Ethiopia's Christian communities to worship safely and without fear of violence, and to speak out against reported ongoing attacks affecting Christians, clergy, monks, nuns, and religious institutions.

The international community cannot ignore reports that raise serious concerns about the protection of civilians, places of worship, and fundamental human dignity in the context of Ethiopia's ongoing conflict.

International partners providing financial or development assistance should continue to emphasise compliance with international humanitarian law, protection of civilians, and accountability for violations.

Reports of violence against civilians, religious institutions, monks, and nuns demand serious international scrutiny. International assistance should be accompanied by continued support for accountability, respect for human rights, and protection of fundamental freedoms.

The protection of human life, freedom of religion or belief, and Ethiopia's historic religious heritage remains a shared global responsibility. The international community must stand firmly for accountability, justice, and the dignity of all civilians affected by conflict.

The American Ethiopian Public Affairs Committee Urges:

• Immediate international attention.

• An independent, impartial investigation into the reported attacks.

• Concrete measures to prevent further attacks against civilians, monks, nuns, churches, monasteries, and other places of worship.

We further urge the United Nations, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the International Committee of the Red Cross, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, the African Union, and other relevant international and regional bodies to support prompt, impartial fact-finding regarding the reported drone strike on Kidist Arsema Monastery in South Wollo and any other reported attacks on religious sites, recognizing that accountability is essential to protecting religious freedom and civilian lives.

🔗👇🏻
https://t.co/E88sDFwwRv

@WhiteHouse @StateDept @USEmbassyAddis @UAEthio @UNOSAPG @VP @realDonaldTrump
@TheIRD, @StateDRL, @Pontifex , @richghazal,
@markdtooley, @OrthodoxyNews,@USEmbassyAddis
@indefchristians,@RepJohnJames,
@housegop, @Repsarajacobs,
@YoungKimCA, @RepJimBaird, @CongressmanKean,
@RepMillsPress, @RepGaramendi,
@jakejsullivan, @IMFNews,
@SecBlinken, @StateDept, @JusticeOfficeUS,
@WorldBank, @WorldBankAfrica,
@StateIRF, @USCIRF, @IrfSecretariat, @Sean_ADFIntl,
@michaelgwaltz,@RepMarkWalker,@RepRileyMoore,@TomColeOk04,@HouseAppropsGOP

[The American-Ethiopian Public Affairs Committee @AmericaEthiopia]

Escalating Repression in Ethiopia: The Targeting of Tewodros Kassahun (Teddy Afro) the Erosion of Civic Space

The Ethiopian American Public Affairs Committee (AEPAC) expresses deep concern over the continued deterioration of civic and public space in Ethiopia, marked by widespread detentions, pressure on religious institutions, and recent actions affecting prominent cultural figures.

Credible reports from human rights organizations indicate that more than 300 elected officials—including parliamentarians, journalists, and civil servants—have remained imprisoned for over two years, raising serious concerns about due process and the rule of law. Concurrently, there is increasing evidence of pressure on longstanding religious institutions, including the Ethiopian Orthodox Church—one of the world’s oldest Christian traditions—further signaling a contraction of fundamental freedoms and institutional independence.

Recent developments involving Tewodros Kassahun (Teddy Afro), one of Ethiopia’s most influential cultural voices, further underscore these concerns. Since the release of his album Etorika, reports indicate that his studio has been looted and individuals associated with his organization have been detained. According to Deutsche Welle, several individuals connected to his team, including a close associate and marketing manager, are reportedly in custody.

These developments come at a time when the government is preparing to conduct national elections. Observers have raised serious concerns about whether such conditions—marked by arrests, restrictions, reported intimidation, and ongoing armed conflict across several regions—can support a credible democratic process. International assessments, including global press freedom and civil liberties reports, continue to rank Ethiopia among countries facing significant challenges in these areas.

AEPAC recognizes that the long-term resolution to Ethiopia’s complex political and social challenges ultimately rests with the Ethiopian people through inclusive and constructive dialogue. At the same time, international partners who are invested in regional stability should consider the following:

Democratic legitimacy requires conditions of freedom — Elections conducted amid mass detentions, intimidation, and restricted civic space risk undermining credibility and public trust.

Allegations of large-scale financial misconduct demand scrutiny — As reported by Addis Reporter, an estimated 100 billion birr has reportedly been diverted from government coffers through coordinated schemes. If substantiated, this represents a profound breach of public trust and a direct loss of resources intended to serve the Ethiopian people.

Entrenched high-level corruption undermines governance — Systemic corruption at the highest levels erodes institutional integrity, weakens the rule of law, and diminishes public confidence in government.

Accountability is essential for stability — Sustained governance without accountability erodes institutions, fuels long-term instability, and ultimately compromises national cohesion.

Protection of civil society and cultural voices matters — Actions affecting artists, journalists, and religious institutions signal broader constraints on freedom of expression.

Advancing business interests cannot occur in a vacuum — Economic engagement is sustainable only when grounded in stability, rule of law, and accountable leadership —not in environments marked by ongoing abuses without consequence.

Policy alignment is critical — Western nations seeking regional stability should prioritize policies that reinforce transparency, human rights, and responsible governance.

As part of this broader engagement, AEPAC encourages the U.S. Congress to consider measures such as House Resolution 937 as one avenue to express its position and support democratic principles, accountability, and the protection of fundamental rights in Ethiopia.

👇👇🔗🖇️
https://t.co/s2b4SLPlz4

@WhiteHouse @StateDept @USEmbassyAddis @UAEthio @UNOSAPG @VP @realDonaldTrump
@TheIRD, @StateDRL, @AsstSecStateAF, @richghazal,
@markdtooley, @OrthodoxyNews, @MikeHammerUSA, @USEmbassyAddis
@indefchristians,@RepJohnJames,@housegop, @Repsarajacobs, @YoungKimCA, @RepJimBaird, @CongressmanKean,@RepMillsPress, @RepGaramendi,@jakejsullivan, @IMFNews,
@SecBlinken, @StateDept, @JusticeOfficeUS,
@WorldBank, @WorldBankAfrica,
@StateIRF, @USCIRF, @IrfSecretariat, @Sean_ADFIntl,@michaelgwaltz,@RepMarkWalker,@RepRileyMoore,@TomColeOk04,@HouseAppropsGOP

[Amnesty International @amnesty]

Members of Ethiopia’s Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) have subjected women and girls to sexual violence committing rape, gang rape, sexual slavery, summary killings and destruction of civilian property which may amount to war crimes.

Read more 👇 https://t.co/LJAOEVCK5I

[The American-Ethiopian Public Affairs Committee @AmericaEthiopia]

Congratulations, Ethiopia, on the 130th anniversary of the Battle of Adwa!

A proud and historic victory that continues to inspire generations with courage, unity, and independence.

[Amhara Association of America (AAA) @AAA_Amhara]

⚡ℹ️#UPDATE: On February 15, 2026 members of the Amhara community in the Greater Los Angeles area 🇺🇸 met with congressional candidate @jakeclevine (DA-32) in Little Ethiopia. Community members discussed areas of concern including the ongoing Amhara Genocide in Ethiopia.

[Robel Alemu | ሮቤል ዓለሙ (PhD) @TheFitawrari]

One hour from the #AUSummit, drone strikes rained down on Debre-Tabor, one of #Ethiopia’s largest cities.

Civilians unalived. Homes destroyed. Power outages.

As world leaders gather in Addis-Ababa, violence escalates in Amhara. The world cannot ignore this.

[The American-Ethiopian Public Affairs Committee @AmericaEthiopia]

New Year’s Message from the American Ethiopian Public Affairs Committee (AEPAC)

As we welcome the New Year, the American Ethiopian Public Affairs Committee (AEPAC) extends its warmest wishes to our partners and friends, with hope for peace, stability, and respect for human dignity worldwide. For Ethiopia, may the year ahead mark end of internal civil wars and conflicts, a renewed commitment to national reconciliation, the rule of law, and the protection of fundamental rights—including freedom of religion and the press—together with tangible progress in ending religious persecution, gender-based violence, arbitrary detention, and other abuses. 

May these advances strengthen Ethiopia’s unity, reinforce stability in the Horn of Africa, and advance shared U.S.–Ethiopia interests. 

Happy New Year

@WhiteHouse, @StateDept, @USEmbassyAddis, @UAEthio, @UNOSAPG, @VP, @realDonaldTrump, @TheIRD, @StateDRL, @AsstSecStateAF, @richghazal, @markdtooley, @OrthodoxyNews, @indefchristians, @RepJohnJames, @housegop, @Repsarajacobs, @YoungKimCA, @RepJimBaird, @RepMillsPress, @RepGaramendi, @IMFNews, @JusticeOfficeUS, @WorldBank, @WorldBankAfrica, @StateIRF, @USCIRF, @IrfSecretariat, @Sean_ADFIntl,@SenMarcoRubio, @RubenGallego, @ElissaSlotkin, @AndyKimNJ,@AdamSchiff, @CEXAlsobrooks,@CurtisUT,@RepGaramendi,@RepSaraJacobs, @RepJimBaird, @RepYoungKim, @RepMillsPress, @CongresswomanSC
@michaelgwaltz,@RepMarkWalker,@RepRileyMoore,@TomColeOk04,@HouseAppropsGOP

[Negalegne Mequanint @Negalegne1]

"It’s heartbreaking to see, in 2025, fellow Ethiopians reduced to skin and bones, like walking skeletons, in their own country."
https://t.co/KojM7ksdZP
@IDPs_Panel
@hrw
@amnesty
@NeaminZeleke
@TheFitawrari

[Neamin Zeleke @NeaminZeleke]

#Ethiopian Solidariy Movement (ESM) statement on so called "Peace Deal" @AU @_AfricanUnion @AUC_PAPS @IGADsecretariat

To: H.E. Ambassador Selma Malika Haddadi
Deputy Chairperson African Union Commission (AU) Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

H.E. Mohamed Abdi Ware Deputy Executive Secretary Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD)
From: Ethiopian Solidarity Movement (ESM)

Legacy Betrayal: The African Union's Deviation from Founding Principles in Ethiopia From Neutral Guardian to Partisan Actor: The Masresha Sete Affair, The AU’s departure from its founding principles has escalated from mere omission to active complicity. A stark illustration of this is its involvement in a recent affair involving a former federal government undercover agent who had infiltrated and later defected from the Amhara Fano resistance before surrendering to state forces.
Instead of maintaining the impartiality required for any credible mediation role, AU officials participated in a staged government narrative. Abandoned Neutrality and became a propaganda tool, weaponized information, manipulated perception and attempted to demoralize the Amhara population engaged in a struggle for survival and betrayed its founding spirit.

A Foundation of Liberation and Hope: Born from the crucible of Africa’s anti-colonial struggle, the Organization of African Unity (OAU), established on May 25, 1963, in Addis Ababa, stood as a monumental testament to continental solidarity. Championed by visionaries like Emperor Haile Selassie I, Kwame Nkrumah, et al. Its core mission was unequivocal: to unite newly independent nations, champion the liberation of those still under colonial rule, and uphold the sovereignty and dignity of African peoples.

The Ethiopian Solidarity Movement, (ESM) a non-profit organization globally asserts that the AU must undertake immediate and concrete corrective measures. It must reassert its impartiality and publicly recommit to its Constitutive Act regarding human rights, democracy, good governance and the soul of the OAU is in balance.

Respectfully,
Badege Bishaw Badege Bishaw, Ph.D.,
Chairperson,
Ethiopian Solidarity Movement (ESM)

[borkena @zborkena]

What History Cannot Decide for Ethiopia. Read. https://t.co/xR195obRiU #Ethiopia #politics #history

[Amhara Association of America (AAA) @AAA_Amhara]

⚡️📢#ዝግጅት: በሳምንቱ መጨረሻ 📅ታኅሣሥ 11-12 ቀን 2018 ከቀኑ 12-6 pm EST (9 am-3 pm PST) የአማራ ማኅበራት ኅብረት በሰሜን አሜሪካ «አሁን ወይም መቼም» በሚል ርእስ የድረ ገጽ የማኅበረሰብ ውይይት አዘጋጅቷል። ዝግጅቱ በዋና ዋና የመገናኛ ብዙኃን መድረኮች ላይ ይለቀቃል።

⚡️📢#EVENT: This weekend, 📅December 20-21, 2025 between 12-6 pm EST (9 am-3 pm PST) @Fana4Amhara will be hosting a digital community forum event entitled "Now or Never". The event will be streamed on major media platforms.

[Negalegne Mequanint @Negalegne1]

@Ethiopia's cadre’s appetite...

[borkena @zborkena]

Ethiopia Needs Honest Dialogue and Healing, Not More War.

Read more. 

https://t.co/dKLiKAwsVQ #Ethiopia #Politics #Peace #War

[Negalegne Mequanint @Negalegne1]

....

[Andargachew Tsege @AndargachewTse2]

አሰቃቂ ኮመዲ በሆነው የኢትዮጵያ አጠቃላይ እና ወቅታዊ ሁኔታ ላይ ከመሳይ መኮንን ጋር ያደረገሁት ወይይት በሚቀጥለው ሊንክ ላይ ተተስተጋብቷል። https://t.co/ZVJwy5sIJo
ምን ይፈይዳል? እኔም አላውቅም።

ሆኖም ዝምታ በመቶሽዎች ተገደው የተደፈሩ ልጆቻችን እህቶቻችን ደፋሪዎች ጋር መተባበር፣ ዝምታ ህዝብ እስከ አጥንቱ ከሚግጡ ዘራፊዎች ጋር አብሮ ከመዝረፍ፣ ዝምታ በሽዎች የሚቆጠሩ ንፁሃንን ከሚጨፈጭፉ ጨካኞች ጋር ተባባሮ ከመጨፍጨፍ ልዩነት የለውም በሚል መጮህን መርጫለሁ።

በኔ እምነት በህዝብ ላይ ወንጀል የሚፈጽሙ ግልሰቦች በስማቸው መጠራትና መሸማቀቅ ይኖረባቸዋል ብዬ አምናለሁ። ፈረንጆች Naming and shaming ይሉታል። ትክክለኛንቱ የታመነበት ለፍትህ የሚደረግ የትግል ስልት ነው።

ከመሳይ ጋር ባደረግሁት ውይይት፣ ነውራቸው በአደባባይ መሰጣት ያለበትን የሃገር ማድያቶች ስማቸውን ጠርቼ ነውራቸውን ህዝብ እንዲያውቅ አድርጊያለሁ። የህዝብ ጠላቶች አሰቃቂ በደል በህዝብ ላይ እየፈጸሙ በድፍረት ለመቀጠል የሚበረታቱት ሌሎች ለራሳችን ክብር ያላቸው ሰዎች “ስማችንን ጠርተው ነውራቸን በአደባባይ አይናገሩብንም” ብለው በማሰብ ነው።

ሆኖም ግን ዝም እንደማንላቸው ሲያውቁ፣ በተግባርም ስናጋልጣቸው ሌላው ቢቀር በህዝብ ፊት ቀርበው ያለምንም ሃፍረት ሲበጠረቁ፣ አስገድደው አድማጭ ያደረጉት ማህበረስብ ስለነወረኝነታቸው የሚያውቅ መሆኑ ማወቃቸው የራሱ ፋይዳ አለው። ተዝናነተው አፋቸውን እንዳይከፍቱ፣ እንዲተባተቡ፣ ቃል እንዲያጥራቸው በራስ መተማመን እንዳይኖራቸው ያደርጋል።

ማን አሰገድዶ ደፋሪ፣ አሰደፋሪ፣ የአሰደፋሪ ተባባሪ፣ ማን ዘራፊ፣ አዘራፊ፣ የዘረፋ ተባባሪ፣ ማን ቀጣፊና የቀጣፊ ተባባሪ፣ ማን ጨፍጫፊና የጨፍጫፊ ተባባሪ እንደሆነ ግለሰቦችን ስማቸውን ጠርተን በመረጃ የተደገፈ ድርጊታቸውን አቅርበን ማጋላጥ በምንም አመክኖ ስህተት ሊሆን አይችልም። በዚህ ቃለ ምልልስ ካደረግኋቸው ነገሮች መሃል አንዱ ነው።

ወድ ውገኖች ይህን ቃለ ምልልስ አድምጣችሁ ሌሎች ቢያዳምጡት ፋይዳ አለው ብላችሁ ካሰባችሁ ለምትችሉት ሁሉ አጋሩት!
@NeaminZeleke @Tseday @HOAAffairs
@EmishawEskedar @GTWTW_Now @AltayeEthiopia
@yeabatulij

[Robel Alemu | ሮቤል ዓለሙ (PhD) @TheFitawrari]

Weaponized SGBV/CRSV and the civilian toll of the Amhara war in Ethiopia.

#16DaysofActivism #NoExcuse

[Negalegne Mequanint @Negalegne1]

You can't win evil by doing it worse!
@AAA_Amhara
@AmericaEthiopia
@hrw @amnesty @StateDept @NeaminZeleke @UKForeignRBLX

[Amhara Association of America (AAA) @AAA_Amhara]

⚡️▶️#UPDATE: Watch this clip of remarks delivered by AAA Chairman Tewodrose Tirfe this past weekend at the Virtual Candlelight Vigil event organized by @Fana4Amhara in partnership with @AmharaMediaCo.

[The American-Ethiopian Public Affairs Committee @AmericaEthiopia]

From Arsi to the War in Amhara Region: Churches, Rights Groups, and the World Confront Ethiopia’s Worsening Crisis.

The BBC has published detailed and heartbreaking accounts of systematic sexual violence in the Amhara region—particularly in areas under government control. The report reinforces Amnesty International’s assessment that Ethiopian security forces continue to operate with near-total impunity. “There is no meaningful effort to bring perpetrators to justice,” Amnesty’s regional researcher, Haimanot Ashenafi, reiterated in the investigation.

At the same time, the World Council of Churches (WCC), in its Letter of Condolences and Solidarity regarding the tragic killings in the Arsi Zone, condemned the violence perpetrated against Christians in unequivocal terms. The WCC expressed its “unwavering support for efforts toward justice, peace, and communal harmony,” calling for wisdom and courage from leaders at all levels to address the root causes of conflict, promote dialogue, and ensure the protection of human life and dignity.

The proud Ethiopian nation—more than 2,000 years old, with a strong tradition of governance, faith, and rule of law—is now in a tragic situation where the state is failing to govern responsibly and instead inflicting profound harm on its own people.

The United States government, the European Union, the United Nations, and the broader international community cannot continue to ignore this escalating pattern of human rights violations, which is rapidly destabilizing a region home to more than 130 million people. Immediate international attention and coordinated action are urgently required to prevent further atrocities and to support a path toward peace, accountability, and long-term stability.

🔗👇🔗

https://t.co/74jUqYgfqI

🔗👇🔗

WCC Letter of Condolences and Solidarity on the Tragic Killings in Arsi Zone, Ethiopia

https://t.co/72mtK8ngLv

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