The meetings will be a continuation of a series of Constitutional Conferences focused on finalizing the draft Ethiopian Constitution and addressing the ongoing deterioration of the human rights situation of the Amharas in Ethiopia.
In light of recent events, we have also decided to include the persecution of Ethiopian Orthodox Christians in Ethiopia as a major topic of discussion during the conference.
Update on Requested Hearing on the Crisis in Ethiopia
We are currently in communication with the office of Senator Ted Cruz, Chair of the Senate Subcommittee on African Affairs, regarding our request for a hearing on the ongoing crisis in Ethiopia. We expect to hear back from his staff soon.
The reason we are holding a meeting in Congress is that it is the center of decision-making within the legislative branch of the U.S. government. We have had success in previous engagements on Ethiopia in Congress.
On the House Hearing Regarding Famine in Ethiopia
We submitted written testimony to Congress during the hearing on how to avert famine in Ethiopia, which was held by the late Chairman Henry Hyde of Illinois of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Our testimony provided an update on the famine situation in Ethiopia and outlined recommended actions for Congress to take in response to this situation.
One of our major accomplishments was a hearing organized at our request by the late Congressman Henry Hyde of Illinois, then Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. The hearing focused on how to avert famine in Ethiopia. Following the hearing, the Chairman instructed USAID to immediately send food aid to Ethiopia, which was a significant success.
Statement from the late Congressman Hyder: The United States has traditionally played an essential and central role in alleviating hunger in Africa. In 2000, alarge-scale famine was averted in Ethiopia and Eritrea due to outstanding donor support provided by the United States and the strong leadership of the then-executive Director of the World Food Programme, Catherine Bertini.
In addition, we submitted written testimony for the hearing titled Ethiopian Human Rights Resolution 2018, authored by Congressman Chris Smith. Our testimony emphasized the importance of accountability, democratic governance, and human rights protections in Ethiopia, and offered recommendations for legislative action to support these goals.
Another milestone was the passage of House Resolution 128, a bill crafted by Congressman Chris Smith, Chair of the House Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, and Global Human Rights. The resolution supported human rights and inclusive governance in Ethiopia. As a representative of one of the largest Ethiopian diaspora communities in the U.S., I witnessed the tireless advocacy efforts that led to its passage. This resolution played a critical role in creating the conditions that led to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s rise to power. Congressman Smith later visited Ethiopia in support of democratic reform.
We will continue to engage Congress to push for a hearing that brings attention to the current crisis and human rights situation, especially on the Amharas in Ethiopia.
On the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) — Reject Egyptian Interference
Dear Senator Ben Cardin,
We are writing regarding the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) and the prior position taken by the U.S. government during the Trump administration in support of the Egyptian government’s demands in this matter. We urge you and your colleagues in the U.S. Congress, as well as the Biden administration, to reconsider this position and adopt a fair and balanced approach that respects Ethiopia’s sovereign right to develop its resources for the benefit of its people.
Ethiopia contributes over 85% of the Nile’s water through the Blue Nile. Yet, the Ethiopian people receive minimal benefit from this critical natural resource. The GERD is not only a symbol of national development but a vital infrastructure project that addresses urgent needs across Ethiopia.
Currently, 83% of Ethiopians live without access to electricity, and 94% rely on wood for cooking and heating. This is an unacceptable and unsustainable situation in a country that possesses one of Africa’s greatest hydropower potentials, second only to the Democratic Republic of Congo. Yet, only three percent of this potential has been developed.
Beyond power generation, the GERD is essential for food security. Less than five percent of irrigable land in the Blue Nile Basin has been utilized. With a growing population and widespread poverty, Ethiopia faces an urgent need to develop its water resources to expand irrigation, improve agriculture, and reduce its vulnerability to famine.
Recurring food shortages and droughts have left millions in danger. As of now, nearly six million Ethiopians face hunger due to underdevelopment and climate-related pressures. The GERD stands as a strategic, peaceful means of addressing these challenges, and must be allowed to progress without foreign interference.
We urge you to support Ethiopia’s right to complete the GERD and reject external pressure—particularly from the Egyptian government—which seeks to maintain outdated and unjust colonial-era water agreements. A fair and sustainable use of the Nile waters must reflect the rights and needs of all riparian nations, especially the upstream country from which the vast majority of the water originates.
Sincerely,
Mesfin Mekonen,
Chairman, Ethiopian-American Community