A Plea to the International Community to save Addis Ababa, and stop the Genocide in Ethiopia

Press Release from Amhara Fano People’s Force

(03/29/2024)

Under the leadership of Abiy Ahmed, recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize in 2019, distressing events are emerging in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Regrettably, Addis Ababa, a city rich in history and culture, is facing a dire situation. The regime's demolishing squads, composed of ethnic Oromos, are wreaking havoc in areas such as Piazza and Arat Kilo. These areas, home to momentous and historical landmarks, including the statue of Emperor Menelik, are in danger, in addition to leaving countless city dwellers homeless overnight. The destruction of historical landmarks, houses of worship, and centuries old structures is akin to the atrocities committed by extremist groups elsewhere in the world, the likes of the Taliban in Afghanistan, ISIS in Syria and Iraq, and Ansar al Din in Timbuktu.

These actions are part of a larger scheme to ethnically remove non-Oromos from Addis Ababa. The rapid demolition of residences and businesses, coupled with the creation of "Sheger City," an Oromo-only enclave, is displacing hundreds of thousands of non-Oromo residents who are instantly rendered homeless or forced to seek shelter with relatives elsewhere. This aggressive campaign to "Oromize" Addis Ababa is alarming, with plans to rename the city and declare it part of the Oromia region.

Despite these grave human rights violations and ethnic cleansing, the international community's response has been disappointingly silent. Witnessing the indifference of diplomatic communities and multilateral organizations headquartered in Addis Ababa is disheartening. This silence raises questions about the complicity of the global community in these atrocities.

Addis Ababa, once a beacon of diversity and unity, is now descending into complete chaos and violence. The safety of its residents, including diplomats and their families, is at risk. The policy of appeasement towards the current regime will not bring peace; instead, it encourages further violence and oppression.

The Amhara Fano People's Force (AFPF) urges the international community, including the UN and AU, to uphold its obligations under international conventions and actively protect citizens in Ethiopia. AFPF believes history will never forgive the international community for its silence in the face of the genocidal war that is currently raging in the country targeting the Amhara people. We demand an end to the regime's atrocities, and the removal of Abiy Ahmed from power to face justice in international courts.