Ambassador Ervin Massinga’s statement from the United States Embassy in Addis Ababa represents a major call for change, specifically urging the Ethiopian federal government to halt its use of drone strikes against its own people. According to ACLED, a geopolitical conflict tracking organization, 73 drone strikes have been recorded in the Amhara Region since the start of the Fano–government clash in August 2023. Notably, the latest drone strike in East Gojjam Zone, Enarj Enawga killed over 120 civilians who were gathered to build a fence for an out-of-order school. These figures paint a grim picture, with every recorded drone strike during this period targeting the Amhara population, and they underscore the Ambassador’s urgent demand for accountability and an end to such deadly operations.
In addition to his call for an immediate cessation of drone strikes, Ambassador Massinga urged the Amhara Fano to come forward with realistic and peaceful objectives. His appeal emphasizes the need for a people-first approach in addressing Ethiopia’s internal conflicts—one where vulnerable communities can see an end to violence, resume access to vital services like education and healthcare, and rebuild their lives without the constant threat of state-sponsored attacks.
In response, the Amhara Fano National Force (AFNF) released an extensive statement defending its course of action. The AFNF contends that decades of nonviolent protest against what it describes as a genocidal campaign by the current regime were met with brutal suppression. Peaceful demonstrations, such as those held by millions across more than 30 cities in the Amhara Region in April 2023, were brutally quashed by state forces. According to the AFNF, this heavy-handed response left them no alternative but to adopt armed self-defense to preserve the lives of the Amhara people. In their statement, the AFNF outlines several preconditions for a credible peace process, including an immediate cessation of hostilities, the withdrawal of federal forces from the Amhara Region, the restoration of basic services such as telecommunications, electricity, and water, unhindered humanitarian access, and the formal recognition of the decades-long genocide against the Amhara community.
This divergence reflects the profound complexities of the Ethiopian conflict. On one hand, Ambassador Massinga’s message calls for an end to state-led violence and a move toward peaceful, diplomatic resolutions. On the other, the AFNF’s response lays out a justification for armed resistance, arguing that it is the only viable means to counter a regime that has systematically failed to protect its citizens. Both perspectives converge on the urgent need for lasting solutions that place the safety, dignity, and future of Ethiopian communities at the forefront of any peace process.
