In 2010 once again legislation regarding human rights and democracy will be introduced in the United States Congress. It is most important that we keep up the constant contact with our members of Congress. We have a task that cannot end until the President signs an act voted by Congress clearly stating American support for Ethiopian democracy. We must persevere.

Recently there was a scheduled hearing for the Africa and Global Health Subcommittee on "Elections in Africa: Progress Made, Challenges Remaining." It was scheduled for Thursday, December 17th but now has been postponed. It is at hearings just like this that the language included in legislation is negotiated; this is exactly what we in the AEUP are advocating for. The hearing will be rescheduled soon – stand by for more details in the next Washington Update.

Famine again haunts Ethiopia. Climate and bad government combine for a deadly cocktail for the population. The American people are once again being asked to provide food assistance to save Ethiopian lives. But United States officials and NGO’s are reporting massive misuse of the donated resources by the Ethiopian government. Much of the direct food aid has been directly diverted to the regime’s favorites and leaves the less fortunate on their own. Check the news coming from most of the creditable NGO’s with on the ground knowledge. For a good example see:

http://www.ngonewsafrica.org/

We need to let everyone know of our concern that all the generosity of our friends needs to be used for what it was intended.

Human Rights are always on the agenda for the AEUP. The AEUP continues to make its demand that all political prisoners be freed and all news outlets closed by the regime be allowed to reopen and freely publish. Another key demand is that the rights of public speech and assembly be respected. At this moment all of these rights are subjected to abuse by the regime. All political parties must have the right to freely campaign with full access to radio and television. Unless this is allowed, and soon, the elections scheduled for next Spring are in jeopardy.

Here in the United States Ethiopians will soon gather for important political discussion and action. In the next few weeks as the All Ethiopia Unity Party (AEUP) will be holding a series of “Town Hall” meetings. They are coming up in January. The one in Washington, DC will be held at:

Washington Hebrew Congregation
3935 Macomb St., NW
Washington, DC

On Sunday, January, 3rd at 2:00 pm EST.

Others are planned in cities across the country. We will inform you as details are confirmed.

These Town Halls are very important to the supporters of the AEUP, and indeed to all Ethiopians and Ethiopian-Americans. These events will begin the new year with a goal of seeing that free and fair elections in Ethiopia bring true democracy to Ethiopia. Stay tuned!

Mesfin Mekonen