The recent testimony by US Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa, Mike Hamer, before the US House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee, presented an extensive overview of the US’s policy towards Ethiopia. However, a critical aspect emerged from this session: the apparent lack of substantial attention given to the ongoing conflict between the Amhara and the Federal Government, despite the US’s active engagement in the region.
The Overlooked Amhara-Federal Government Conflict
For the past five years, the Amhara region has been embroiled in a tense conflict with the Ethiopian Federal Government. This situation has led to significant human rights violations and humanitarian crises. Despite this, the hearing seemed to skim over the depth and intensity of this conflict, which has been a significant point of contention within Ethiopia.
Mike Hamer’s Engagement with Amhara Advocacy Groups
Interestingly, Mike Hamer has been actively engaged with Amhara advocacy groups. These interactions would suggest a deeper understanding and involvement in the Amhara issue. Yet, the testimony did not reflect a proportional response or strategy from the US regarding this conflict. This discrepancy raises questions about the US’s commitment to addressing all facets of the Ethiopian crisis with equal seriousness.
Perception of US Indifference
The lack of emphasis on the Amhara conflict in the testimony has been perceived by some as indicative of the US turning a blind eye to the plight of the Amhara people. This perception is compounded by the US’s extensive involvement in other Ethiopian regional conflicts, like the Tigray war, where the US has shown more active diplomatic and humanitarian engagement.
Implications of the Oversight
This oversight not only affects the US’s image in the region but also raises concerns about the effectiveness of its foreign policy in Ethiopia. The lack of a balanced approach might undermine the US’s role as a mediator and could potentially escalate the conflict further, worsening the humanitarian situation.
Call for a More Inclusive Approach
Given the complexity and the multi-faceted nature of the Ethiopian conflict, a more inclusive approach that addresses all regional conflicts, including the Amhara-Federal Government conflict, is essential. The US, with its significant influence in the region, could play a pivotal role in facilitating dialogue and finding a peaceful resolution to these conflicts.
Conclusion
While the testimony offered a comprehensive insight into the US’s stance on Ethiopia’s political and humanitarian issues, it fell short in addressing the ongoing conflict between the Amhara and the Federal Government. This gap highlights a critical area where the US foreign policy towards Ethiopia could be more inclusive and effective. Addressing this oversight is crucial for the US to maintain its credibility as a balanced mediator and for the stability and peace in the region.
If this story is true, my thoughts and prayers go out to the families of the victims. This should never have happened. This is utterly stupid conflict ignited and being led by stupid individuals. There is no justifiable reason for the youth of that region to be rounded up and taken to the bushes just to meet its untimely death. The youth in Oromia has been in the same predicament since 2018 where tens of thousands have already perished. Committed bigots are wreaking havoc in both Oromia and Amhara regions. They are sending the gullible youth in their regions into awaiting infernos from their safe rabbit holes. On one mouth these bigots brag about one victory after another and a few minutes later they tell us how locations well inside their regions were bombarded resulting in loses of innocent lives.
To those of us who are willing to listen to various military communiques of these bigots, they have liberated Oromia while we were having our beauty rest since 2018 and the Amhara region was fully cleansed of all ‘enemy’ forces when nobody was looking since 2022. To be honest with you, I don’t understand why Rasta Man Jaal has not declared his fiefdom Republic of Oromia. This one seems to know how to pick nom de guerre just like those before him. There were more lions in the leadership of his front than the black mane lions in the entire Western Hararghe where I was born and spent my formative years. I don’t understand why a former ‘paper pusher’ has not declared Amhara region an independent ‘Republic’ to his liking!!! Hey you two! What are you waiting for? We are ready to celebrate your new republic fiefdoms with you! I promise to hire both Beyoncé and Taylor Swift to grace the celebration. I will toss Kanye and Rihanna in there as flavor enhancers. How about that? And I will facilitate the process for PM Abiy to leave the country and seek political asylum in the Philippines because his father was a Filipino and his mother was a Sami from Norway. Jula’s case will be a piece of cake. I can get him a green card in Rwanda because his parents were Tutsis. Let’s go!!!