August 18, 2021
We, a coalition of Oromo advocacy and human rights groups with knowledge, lived experiences, and expertise in Ethiopian affairs, make the following recommendations to all countries, international organizations, multinational corporations, and other stakeholders with an interest in peace and stability in the Horn of Africa region.
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RECOMMENDATIONS
Support steps to bring about an immediate ceasefire throughout the country, which shall include
- A halt to hostilities in all impacted regions of Ethiopia and a call for civil discourse that prepares a path toward a negotiated agreement that includes parties representing all the affected areas: Tigray, Amhara, Benishangul-Gumuz, Afar, Oromia, Sidama, Somali, SNNPR, Gambella;
- A return of foreign and regional armed forces engaged in combat to their respective bases, either regional state or sovereign state;
- An end to military command posts and martial law throughout the country, and the return of military forces to barracks to allow civilian administration to be put into place;
- And an immediate end to coerced recruitment of youth from all regional states into the armed forces of Ethiopia, and to the forcible transfer of these untrained, ill-equipped combatants to the battlefront.
Take deliberate steps toward preparing and convening an inclusive Dialogue for the purpose of designing a comprehensive transition to democracy and stability in Ethiopia, through a process that acknowledges the need for civic engagement and active participation of politically and economically disadvantaged peoples and youth. An effective, coordinated movement of Oromo youth from 2014-2018, joined by youth of other nations, led to the collapse of the previous government and created a once-in-a-generation opening for the introduction of democracy in Ethiopia. But that transition has been aborted, and the pro-democracy youth attacked as adversaries of Ethiopian political elites and of the Prosperity Party. An inclusive Dialogue is needed to restart the process.
- The Dialogue must be all-inclusive, participatory, and transparent.
- All political prisoners must be released without delay or preconditions.
- Oromo entities, e.g., Oromo Liberation Front (OLF), Oromo Federalist Congress (OFC) and Oromo Liberation Army (OLA), who have integral connections with the youth whose nonviolent protests were based in civil society; as well as groups representing all nations in Ethiopia; must play prominent roles in defining the parameters of the Dialogue, such as venue, timetable, convener, pace, conduct, and implementation of agreements reached among parties to the deliberations.
- Preliminary discussions, such as those currently in progress at the European Parliament under the auspices of the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization (UNPO), must be encouraged.
Coalition of Advocacy and Human Rights Groups – Signatories
Advocacy 4 Oromia
Melbourne, Australia Dabessa Gemelal
Baro Tumsa Institute
Greenbelt, MD Teferi Mergo, Kebene Kejela
Jabdu: Oromo American Women’s Council
Minneapolis, MN Arfasse Gamada
Human Rights League for the Horn of Africa
Toronto, Ontario and
Finfinnee/Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Garoma B Wakessa, Getu Saketa Rorro
Macha Tulama Association Jenet Adem
Washington, DC
Oromia Support Group
Malvern, UK Teshale Abera, Trevor Trueman
Melbourne, Australia Marama Fufa
Oromo Advocacy Alliance
Washington DC Lemi Tilahun, Bonnie Holcomb
Oromia Global Forum
Tacoma Park, MD Jemal Ebrahim M. Sadik, Tesfaye Negeri
Oromo Legacy Leadership and Advocacy Association
Falls Church, VA Seenaa Jimjimo
Oromo Human Rights and Relief Organization – OMRHO
Oromo Menschenrechts und Hilfsorganisation
Hanover, Germany Benti Ujulu
Oromo Professionals Group
Washington, DC Ebissa Ragassa
Team Free Oromia and #OromoProtests
Washington, DC Merertu Kitila
Union of Oromo Communities in Canada
Ontario, Canada Bontu Galataa
West Wallega Human Rights Defenders Minneapolis, MN Mitiku Dossa