Washington Update: Briefing Ethiopian Americans

HR 937 and 50-State Strategy Briefing, Discussion, and Q&A Session

Thank you to Aimee and to all participants for an informative and powerful briefing and discussion on House Resolution 937 (H.Res. 937), the 50-State Strategy, and the current political and humanitarian situation in Ethiopia.

The discussion focused particularly on the systematic marginalization, harassment, killings, and mass displacement of the Amhara people, as well as the broader deterioration of human rights across the country. Participants examined the worsening security situation, the targeting of civilians, and the growing humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in multiple regions of Ethiopia.

We also discussed the Blue Nile and the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), emphasizing Ethiopia’s legitimate right to utilize its natural resources for development, energy access, and economic survival.

Overview of H.Res. 937

H.Res. 937, introduced on December 9, 2025, by Congressman Buddy Carter (R-GA) and supported by Congressman Joe Wilson (R-SC), condemns the Government of Ethiopia for actions that threaten regional stability, violate fundamental human rights, and undermine U.S. strategic interests in the Horn of Africa.

The resolution:

• Condemns widespread human rights abuses, particularly in the Amhara region
• Cites credible reports of war crimes, crimes against humanity, and acts of genocide
• Highlights sexual violence, religious persecution, and the targeting of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church and other religious institutions
• Calls for targeted sanctions, including travel bans and asset freezes, under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act
• Reflects growing concern within the U.S. Congress about Ethiopia’s worsening humanitarian and political crisis as of late 2025

This resolution is strongly supported by Ethiopian Americans and human rights advocates who are calling for accountability and meaningful international action.

The Urgency of a 50-State Strategy

As Ethiopian Americans, we must engage in a coordinated, nationwide advocacy effort—a true 50-State Strategy—to educate, engage, and persuade Members of Congress in every state. Silence enables continued atrocities. If we do not speak up and act now, nothing will change.

During the briefing, we discussed:

• The current political crisis in Ethiopia
• Deep structural problems, including flaws in the Constitution and the ethnic-based federal system
• How these systemic issues have fueled conflict, instability, and fragmentation across the country
• Participants emphasized that meaningful peace requires constitutional reform, inclusive dialogue, and a political settlement that reflects the will of all Ethiopians.

Q&A Session: The GERD and Ownership of the Nile

During the Q&A session, a respected participant from Europe asked why Ethiopians—particularly Amharas—advocate so strongly for ownership and use of the Nile.

Key Facts About the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD)

• Approximately 85% of the Nile’s water originates in Ethiopia, primarily from the Blue Nile
• Despite this, Ethiopians have historically received little to no benefit from this vital resource
• Nearly 83% of Ethiopians lack access to electricity
• About 94% of the population relies on wood for cooking and heating, contributing to environmental degradation and poverty

Ethiopia maintains that the GERD is a hydroelectric project, not a water-consumption project, and that it will:

• Expand access to clean, reliable energy
• Improve livelihoods in Ethiopia
• Promote regional economic integration and stability

However, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed appears willing to pursue his political agenda at any cost to retain power. At the same time, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi is similarly driven by political survival and has reportedly invested millions of dollars in U.S. political influence.

Given these realities, Ethiopians must intensify advocacy efforts with the U.S. Congress to ensure lawmakers understand a fundamental truth:

A nation of 132 million people has a legitimate and urgent right to use its natural resources to support development, energy access, and economic survival.

Sample Letter for the 50-State Strategy (Refined)

Below is a revised, ready-to-send version of the sample letter discussed during the briefing.

Email

Subject

Dear Senator / Representative,

I am writing as an Ethiopian American deeply concerned about the escalating violence and humanitarian crisis in Ethiopia. I respectfully urge you to take immediate action to help prevent further bloodshed and to promote peace, justice, and stability in the Horn of Africa.

I sincerely appreciate your leadership and commitment to human rights and democratic values. Your advocacy offers hope to millions of Ethiopians who long for peace, dignity, and accountable governance.

I respectfully urge you to support House Resolution 937, introduced by Congressman Buddy Carter (R-GA) and Congressman Joe Wilson (R-SC). This resolution condemns the Government of Ethiopia for actions that threaten regional stability, violate fundamental human rights, and undermine U.S. strategic interests.

House Resolution 937 notes that the Ethiopian government is waging war in the Amhara region, while violence continues in Oromia, Afar, Tigray, Ogaden, and other areas. These conflicts have resulted in the loss of countless civilian lives, widespread destruction of property, mass displacement, and the escalation of famine and humanitarian suffering.

I urge you to:

Condemn atrocities committed by the Ethiopian government and armed groups

Call for an immediate end to drone strikes and military actions targeting civilians

Invoke the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act to sanction individuals responsible for human rights violations

Support a negotiated political settlement and an inclusive, democratic constitutional reform process

The continued silence of the international community only emboldens perpetrators and deepens the suffering of innocent civilians—particularly the Amhara people and Orthodox Christian communities, who face targeted persecution.

Your leadership at this critical moment can help bring accountability, justice, and hope to a nation in crisis.

Thank you for your time and for standing up for human rights.

Sincerely,

Mesfin Mekonen

[Your Address]

[City, State, ZIP]

Please find the link below for a recording of the briefing and discussion.