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Ethiopia: Washington Update
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Ethiopia: Washington Update
Ethiopia: Washington Update
By Mesfin Mekonen
January 10, 2012
At a recent meeting senior State Department officials discussed U.S. food aid to Ethiopia and other countries in the Horn of Africa. President Obama announced on Dec. 22 that the U.S. was giving an additional $113 million in emergency relief assistance to the Horn of Africa, making the total U.S. commitment during the current crisis over $870 million.
We brought to the State Department's attention credible media reports indicating that the Ethiopian regime has used food aid as a tool to reward its supporters and punish opponents. BBC Newsnight has produced two excellent investigative stories about the Meles regime's use of food aid as a tool of oppression, and about the regime's crackdown on opposition supporters, politicians and journalists. We also reported to the officials about the jailed AEUP members. The programs can be viewed at BBC
State Department officials said that U.S. food aid is being distributed by responsible, independent NGOs. However, it is impossible for anyone to say with certainty how food aid is distributed in Ethiopia. The Meles regime has suppressed international support for Ethiopian NGOs, limited news media access, and jailed Ethiopians who speak out about abuses such as limiting the distribution of food and agricultural assistance to government supporters. There can be no doubt that many people are suffering simply because they do not actively support the Meles government, or are accused of supporting the opposition. The U.S. embassy, and other countries that supply food assistance, lack the resources, personnel and expertise needed to ensure fair and equitable distribution of aid in Ethiopia.
Of course, there is and will continue to be an urgent need for food assistance to Ethiopia. But the U.S. and other donors should require accountability to ensure that it does not become a weapon against the Ethiopian people.
Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) continues to take a strong interest in the human rights situation in Ethiopia. At a recent meeting, Smith's senior staff said Smith is very concerned about human rights abuses in Ethiopia. Ethiopian-Americans should contact their elected representatives in Congress to express their concerns about human rights in Ethiopia and press the U.S. government to do more to promote its ideals in Ethiopia. Ethiopia's fate is in the hands of Ethiopians, but support and assistance from the U.S. Congress is important.
All Ethiopian Unity Party supporters met at the Washington Hebrew Congregation last Sunday to provide moral and financial support for AEUP activities in Ethiopia. They heard from Engineer Hailu Shawel, who expressed appreciation for the efforts of Ethiopians in Washington, D.C. Meeting participants decided to meet on a monthly basis to discuss the current situation in Ethiopia and plans for promoting democracy, human rights and economic development.
10 comments
The rest is the same every time.
Is this the only thing what you update us from your Washington DC? aye yanye neger,,,, As if there is there any worth reporting.. LOSER
Thank you Mesfin Mekonen . You are doing a great thing . We need people like you to bring our issues to the State Department's attention. We owe you big time.
This is funny yet more posetive thing is to come out of ethiopia, this will make the author of the above article cry louder and longer. I have read such a moronish rhetoric from the toxic diaspora who seem to have missed dergue's era, ayi timkihtegnoch sit back and cry.
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