Subject: Requesting the Board to Act on the Displacement of People in Addis Ababa Environs
Like hundreds of thousands of Ethiopians (or full or hyphenated) in the Diaspora, I was moved by PM Abiy speeches about unity, reconciliations, democracy and Ethiopian national pride. Despite my reservations, I was supportive of the PM and his team of reformers. I answered his call for the Diaspora community to contribute $1 a day by making a one-year contribution to the Trust Fund. In addition, my wife is a monthly contributor to the Fund. I was even hoping to have a serious of discussions with my kids about the need to give back so that those in need can get clean water, clinics etc—with a plan to make a contribution on their behalf. I was glad I didn’t include them in this charade as we witness recently the actions of the PM, the party and the government he leads.
I’m extremely distressed and saddened by the low-level ethnic cleansing operation being conducted by PM Abiy’s party in Addis Ababa environ, Legetafo—with planned demolition of 12,000 houses. Newborn babies, elderly mothers and school children are being left without homes and told to go wherever they come from.
This appears to be the beginning of “purifying” Addis Ababa and its environs from non-Oromos ahead of a potential declaration of a medieval takeover of the City—where the only residents with rights are Oromos and others right to property, assets and rights will be voided.
As part of this “cleansing/purifying” plan, the Addis Ababa mayor was illegally appointed by PM Abiy, who in return has populated the ranks of the capital city structures with Extreme Oromo Nationalists—who loath Addis Ababa and its residents for they are cosmopolitans and don’t adhere to medieval ethnic categorizations of any sort (as they rightly shouldn’t!).
Let’s be clear: this displacement is not about rule of law, as some Oromo extremists claim. If it was about to rule of law, people responsible for robbing 18 bank branches would be arrested and prosecuted. If this was about enforcing the law, the former police chief—who ordered the massacre of hundreds and torture of thousands—would be arrested prosecuted for crimes against humanity; not promoted as foreign minister. Instead, elderly mothers and newborn babies are left homeless after their houses are demolished.
This inhuman displacement is conducted either with the approval and direct guidance of PM Abiy and Ato Lemma or these leaders are vassals of the Extremists and doing their bidding. In either case, PM Abiy and Ato Lemma personally, the Party and governments they lead are responsible for this criminal act.
I, therefore, demand the Board of Directors of EDTF:
1) To publicly condemn PM Abiy and Ato Lemma, the Party and governments they lead for the inhuman displacements.
2) Demand full explanation about their commitment to the rights of all Ethiopians, irrespective of their ethnicity.
3) Freeze the funding projects, if there are any until PM Abiy and his government commitment to the rights of ALL Ethiopians becomes clear.
If the Board fails to act and that this displacement is not reversed (with victims fully compensated), not only I will demand a refund for my contributions, but I’ll also campaign to make sure fellow Diaspora do the same.
With warm regards,
