Embassy refutes statement issued by U.S. State Department

Addis Ababa March 22, 2023 (FBC) – The Ethiopian Embassy in the U.S has disapproved the US State Department’s statement that determined grave crimes committed during the conflict in northern Ethiopia.

The Embassy indicated that as part of the implementation of the Pretoria Peace Agreement of Nov. 2, 2022, the Government of Ethiopia has established a “transitional justice process aimed at accountability, ascertaining the truth, redress for victims, reconciliation and healing consistent with the constitution of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (FDRE) and the AU Transitional Justice Policy Framework.”

It added that considering the Report of the Joint Investigation by the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) and the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (UN-OHCHR), the announcement by the US State Department on 21 March 2023 regarding “determination” of accountability for human rights abuses in northern is notable for its omissions and selective acknowledgement of alleged wrongdoing.

Selective filtration of facts for “determination of Atrocities” detracts from the credibility of accountability and won’t serve to invigorate the transitional justice process, the embassy stated.

Formally recognizing atrocities committed by all parties is an essential step to achieve sustainable peace, it added.

By: Yonathan Yoseph