In search of human dignity and justice. The Horn of Africa. An avid observer & student of global affairs. A political junkie. Kantian in spirit.
Hannibal, Missouri
Joined July 2020
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No Society Arrives at Tragedy Overnight
Published yesterday, May 28, 2026, exactly thirty five years after the political transition that inaugurated Ethiopia’s post 1991 constitutional order, this article examines a question that the passage of three and a half decades has made more urgent, not less: How did anti Amhara violence become institutionalized, and why has it persisted across successive political eras?
The timing is significant. As Ethiopia approaches another national election, the article looks beyond the immediate political moment and turns instead to the deeper historical forces that have shaped the present. This inquiry begins not in 2026, or even in 1991, but in the 1820s, with the missionary and colonial narratives that first gave shape to competing visions of Ethiopian identity and statehood.
Drawing on a genealogical framework, the article traces seven historical periods through which the negative political construction of the Amhara evolved, from European racial taxonomies and Italian colonial ideology, through the revolutionary student movement of the 1960s and 1970s, to the ethno nationalist projects that culminated in the constitutional and territorial order established after 1991. It argues that the violence experienced by Amhara communities in recent decades was neither accidental nor sudden. It was prepared intellectually, institutionally, and discursively over generations.
No society arrives at tragedy overnight. Long before violence manifests physically, it is shaped by the stories societies tell, the histories they choose to remember, and the institutions they build in their image.
As Chinua Achebe observed, “Until the lions have their own historians, the history of the hunt will always glorify the hunter.”
Understanding how certain narratives became embedded in law, territory, and political discourse is not merely an academic exercise. It is a prerequisite for truth, accountability, reconciliation, and the possibility of a more just future.
ethiopiancrisis.org/research…
Dawit retweeted
The ethnofascist Ethiopian regime of @AbiyAhmedAli has been playing with dangerous fire, deliberately stoking inter- ethnic/religious conflicts within multi-ethnic #Ethiopia—now spilling over to #Kenya. The 🕛 is ticking very close to Dooms Day ethnic bloodbath in that country.
Ethiopia is struggling with armed conflict and ethnic tension across several regions, yet it continues to pursue a confrontational policy toward its neighbors.
Over 35,000 Ethiopians have fled into Kenya after fighting between Oromia and Somali Regional Forces in Moyale, according to Kenyan authorities cited by Kenyan media.
Dawit retweeted
Anchor Media ጥቅምት 17/2019 የዕለቱ መረጃዎችና ትንታኔዎች - አርሲ፥ ወለጋ፥ ሞያሌ፥ የትብብር ለውልና... youtube.com/live/uflFKOyPo7g… via @YouTube
ወቅታዊ!
Dawit retweeted
Ethiopia is governed by a lawless regime. Armed self defence has become the only chance for survival. One of the those who is encouraging lawlessness and ethnic and religion based massacres is appealing to Kenya to coverup state crime. @HOAAffairs @NeaminZeleke @zborkena
Kenyan security and judicial institutions must rein in individuals inciting and exacerbating communal conflict in southern Ethiopia.
Following the latest outbreak of fighting between the Borana and Gari clans, some Kenyan political and media figures have been circulating extremely dangerous messages, in some cases more inflammatory than those coming from individuals directly involved in the conflict on the Ethiopian side. They have also reportedly engaged in fundraising campaigns to procure and send weapons to the warring parties.
Kenya is already feeling the effects of the violence, with thousands of people fleeing across the border in search of humanitarian protection. Unless such incitement is contained, it will not only intensify the conflict inside Ethiopia but also risk spilling over into Kenya, where members of the affected communities live on both sides of the border, including in Nairobi.
I therefore appeal to Kenyan security agencies to investigate those inciting violence and the relevant judicial authorities to prosecute offenders in accordance with the law before the situation escalates and causes even greater harm to both countries.
Dawit retweeted
A Christian Ethiopian king shielded and provided shelter and the freedom to worship whatever God they chose for Muslim believers fleeing their country due to persecution, and Muslims repaid Christians by forcing them to convert to Islam.
💔💔
Dawit retweeted
Jawar trying to lecture @FarahMaalimM on avoiding rhetoric that can incite violence is laughable. Here’s Jawar in 2019, the day after his Facebook post claiming he was surrounded by @AbiyAhmedAli regime forces. That post triggered Qerroo (Oromo youth) mobs who massacred over 100 Amhara and Orthodox civilians across Oromia and displaced thousands more. He showed no remorse or sympathy for the victims.
Dear Honorable @FarahMaalimM
I have been concerned by some of your recent media remarks regarding the Gari-Borana conflict in Moyale. I worry that the framing, however well-intentioned, could inadvertently heighten tensions rather than contribute to resolving them.
This is not an ethnic-level Oromo-Somali conflict, but rather a recurring dispute between two clans with close kinship ties, a shared language, and a common territory. Such disputes have persisted intermittently for decades and are sometimes exacerbated by cross-border contraband traders and unscrupulous security operatives. I therefore believe it is important to approach the situation with caution and avoid framing a localized conflict in ways that could turn it into a broader ethnic or national confrontation.
Sadly, this is not the first time you have made inflammatory remarks of this nature. A few years ago, when tensions arose between Somalia and Ethiopia, you delivered an incendiary speech directed at the Oromo, which was followed by reports of harassment and assaults against Oromo refugees in towns across Somalia. Such incidents underscore the potential consequences of rhetoric that risks inflaming ethnic tensions.
Brother Farah, I know you personally, and our relationship goes beyond politics. We have shared both good and difficult times. I have had the pleasure of hosting you in my home in Addis Ababa, and you have graciously welcomed me into yours, where I enjoyed a wonderful meal with your family. You were also among the first people to reach out and offer help when I recently faced a dangerous situation. I recall these moments because I know you as a fundamentally good-hearted and caring person, and I write to you in that same spirit of friendship and mutual respect.
As an elder statesman, you are someone whom I and many other younger politicians have looked to for advice, wisdom, and guidance on important national and regional issues. Precisely because I hold you in such high regard, I hope you will understand my concern. Your words carry weight, and with that comes a responsibility to promote restraint, understanding, and peaceful coexistence, especially when tensions are high.
Brother, I say this with genuine respect and affection. Please continue to be the voice of wisdom and guidance that we have come to expect from you.
Best regards,
Your younger brother,
Jawar Mohammed
Dawit retweeted
ብርጭቋቸውን እያጋጩ - '' ያው እንደለመዱት ለጥቂት ቀናት ሶሻል ሚዲያ ላይ አርሲ አርሲ ... ብለው ተንጫጭተው ዝም ይላሉ እንጂ ምን አባታቸው ያመጣሉ ሃሃሃሃ....!'' እንደሚባባሉ ሳስብ ....!😥 አለመፈጠር ይሻላል።
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ዘሪሁን
Dawit retweeted
The #EthiopianOrthodox Tewahedo Church's Holy Synod says 60 worshippers were killed in attacks across two districts in Ethiopia's Oromia region between October 20 and 25, warning of continued violence against Orthodox Christian communities. @addisstandard @Refugees @amnesty @AP
Dawit retweeted
Protect Amhara Civilians in Ethiopia: Investigate the East Wollega Zone Massacres - Sign the Petition! c.org/gbYSpGTPTR via @Change
let's all sign the petition!
Dawit retweeted
ተኳረፍኩኝ ካገሬ ጋር
ተሳቅቄ ሆኜ ከዳር
ጀርባየን አላምነውም
ጠላቴንም አላውቀውም
ማውቀውንም አላውቀውም
ባውቀውም አልንቀውም
መተንፈሻ አጣ አገሩ
ኩፍ በዛ በየዳሩ
ሰቀቀን በርዞታል
አይጥምም አየሩ
ዘር በዛ ባገሩ
አዲስ ጠፋች በአበባ
ሚሰቴ አሏት ባለቤቴን
ቀለበቴን አይቶ አገባ
አገሯ ዳር ናት
ሰውም ወድቋል ጥጉጥጉ
ሬሳው ሳይነሳ
ዘሩን ዘሩን እየፈለጉ
አዲስ አመት ባክህ ና
አታብቅል አበባ
ኢትዬጵያን ሚሏት ሀገር
ባይሆን ይዘህ ግባ
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ግዕዝ ሙላት
Dawit retweeted
Ethiopia’s suffering must no longer be met with silence.
Amhara civilians continue to face reports of targeted killings, attacks on churches, arson, abductions, and forced displacement. Families are losing loved ones, homes, and their livelihoods while accountability remains desperately inadequate.
To the @UN, @UNHumanRights, @AfricanUnion, @StateDept, @EU_Commission, @hrw, and @amnesty: Condemnations are not enough.
Demand independent international investigations into the atrocities in East Wollega, Arsi, and other affected areas of Oromia. Press Ethiopian authorities to protect civilians, ensure humanitarian access, and hold those who planned, ordered, or carried out these crimes accountable.
Protect the living. Give justice to the victims. End impunity.
The world must not wait for more graves to be filled before it acts. Silence cannot be the price of political convenience.
#AmharaGenocide
@UNGeneva @UNHumanRights @EUCouncil @StateDept @HouseForeign @Pontifex_es @_AfricanUnion
Dawit retweeted
PUBLIC NOTICE TO ALABAMA AND U.S. FEDERAL AUTHORITIES
Subject: Renewed Harassment, Claims of Access to Americans' Social Security Numbers, and Repeated Disclosure of Personal Information by an Alabama Resident
I respectfully bring to the attention of Alabama authorities, federal law enforcement agencies, and X Safety the continuing conduct of Mr. #Habtamu_Challa_Gurmu, an Ethiopian immigrant reportedly residing in Alabama, whose X account, @Habtishgreat, has reappeared following a recent suspension lasting several weeks.
The attached screenshot shows that Mr. Challa has resumed posting about identifiable individuals, including myself, attempting to associate us with the ongoing violence and humanitarian crisis in Ethiopia. I categorically reject these baseless allegations. His latest post offers no evidence establishing the associations he suggests. It is particularly disturbing that a humanitarian tragedy involving the killing of innocent civilians should be used to target individuals through insinuation and guilt by association.
More seriously, I wish to draw the authorities' attention once again to an earlier recorded X Spaces discussion in which Mr. Challa publicly claimed to possess individuals' Social Security numbers, driver's license information, residential addresses, and other sensitive personal details. He subsequently denied possessing such information. The recording and its English transcription will be provided for examination.
The central question remains unanswered: Did Mr. Challa actually obtain the Social Security numbers of individuals residing in the United States? If so, how did he obtain them, from what sources, and for what purpose? Were any confidential records accessed without authorization, and were these claims intended to intimidate the individuals concerned? These are matters for competent authorities to establish through evidence, not speculation.
Mr. Challa has also made public claims concerning his involvement in financial wrongdoing in Ethiopia, including allegations relating to funds intended for vulnerable children. Those statements, where accurately documented, deserve independent examination. They should not be treated as proof of theft without supporting evidence.
His account history raises additional concerns. The handles @HabtishGurmu (also written @habtishgurmu) and @gurmuchalla were previously reported as suspended. His principal account, @Habtishgreat, was recently observed suspended but is now active again, as shown in the attached screenshot. He has also reportedly continued participating in X Spaces through Ethio-Music (@MusicdonebyAi). I request that X investigate whether these accounts are associated and whether their use involves continued harassment, disclosure of private information, or violations of platform rules.
My personal photographs have previously been circulated without my consent, creating serious concerns for the safety of my family members in Ethiopia. I will continue preserving relevant screenshots, recordings, transcripts, and links as evidence.
I respectfully ask Alabama and federal authorities to examine the recorded claims concerning Social Security information, determine whether any unauthorized access or disclosure occurred, and assess whether further investigation is warranted. I likewise request that X Safety examine the renewed activity, preserve relevant records, and remove any content that violates its privacy and harassment policies.
This is a request for lawful examination and accountability, not a presumption of guilt. Freedom of expression does not excuse intimidation, threats involving sensitive personal information, or the unauthorized disclosure of private records.
The rule of law must prevail over the law of the jungle.
@FBI @FBIMobileAL @ICEgov @DHSgov @HSI_HQ @USCIS @TheJusticeDept @TheSSAOIG @SocialSecurity @SteveMarshallAL @GovernorKayIvey @ALMentalHealth @almentalh @AlabamaDHR @madisonpoliceAL @X @Safety @elonmusk @IngrahamAngle @LauraLoomer @frontlineendfgm @nickshirleyy @jeffpropulsion @Annashire2 @KidistBirru @1juxa
Dawit retweeted
Amhara Fano National Movement Condemns Genocidal Massacres in Arsi, Wollega and Other Parts of Ethiopia: An Urgent Call for International Action
The Amhara Fano National Movement (AFNM) strongly condemns recent genocidal massacres and acts of violence which has claimed hundreds of lives and displaced thousands in Arsi, Wollega and other parts of Ethiopia. AFNM extends its deepest condolences to families of victims and to communities mourning the tragic loss of loved ones. AFNM calls for immediate protection of vulnerable communities, credible independent investigations and urgent humanitarian relief.
AFNM has received the following information of relevant incidents involving genocidal violence against Amhara civilians and followers of the Orthodox Christian faith in Arsi and Wollega since October 20:
Over 60 killed in two attacks in Arsi: 14 in Merti district on October 20 and 46 in Sherka district on October 24. Gunmen surrounded families in their homes, opened fire, and burned houses to the ground. More than 20 people remain hospitalized with serious injuries.
More than 300 killed in East Wollega and Horo Guduru Wollega since October 21; more than 40 killed in Abe Dengoro district on October 26 alone, many with machetes and knives. Survivor accounts indicate that women, children, and older persons were among the victims. Beyond the civilian toll, over 13 villages and three churches burned down, and more than 160,000 residents displaced from Gida Ayana since August.
These incidents are not isolated and represent a pattern of state-sponsored violence with involvement from political and military officials at the federal and regional levels. For example, in Arsi, security forces stationed nearby refused to intervene while families were being killed. In the aftermath, authorities offered no condemnation, and no arrests were made. In Wollega, the violence was perpetrated directly by federal and Oromia regional security forces alongside militias, backed by sophisticated weaponry. In the majority of incidents, communications services were shut off during and after the attacks.
AFNM calls upon the international community to move beyond expressions of concern and adopt concrete measures in response to reported mass killings and other grave human rights violations. Continued international inaction risks undermining the principles of human dignity, civilian protection, and accountability.
AFNM therefore call upon:
1. The United Nations and the African Union to give the situation in Arsi and Wollega urgent attention, support independent investigations, and take appropriate measures to protect civilians and prevent further atrocities.
2. International and regional human rights institutions to document reported violations, preserve evidence, and pursue appropriate legal proceedings through competent national or international mechanisms, where the applicable legal requirements are met.
3. Relevant international and regional bodies to consider targeted sanctions and other appropriate measures against individuals and entities credibly implicated in serious human rights violations, in accordance with applicable legal frameworks and due process.
4. Humanitarian organizations and international partners to support affected communities by facilitating access to emergency medical care, food, shelter, psychosocial support, and other essential humanitarian assistance.
The international community must not allow repeated atrocities against civilians to become normalized. The protection of innocent lives must take precedence over political considerations, and credible allegations of mass atrocities must receive a timely, impartial, and effective response.
October 27, 2026
Dawit retweeted
AMERICAN ETHIOPIAN PUBLIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE (AEPAC)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CALL FOR URGENT U.S. DIPLOMATIC ACTION ON THE KILLINGS OF CHRISTIAN CIVILIANS AND CLERGY IN ETHIOPIA
The American Ethiopian Public Affairs Committee (AEPAC) expresses its profound alarm over continued reports of the killings and abductions of Christian civilians and attacks affecting clergy in Shirka and Honkolo Wabe districts of Arsi Zone, eastern Ethiopia, approximately 170 kilometers from Addis Ababa. According to the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church's report, the latest incidents occurred on October 17, 2026 (Tikimt 7, 2019 E.C.) . These recurring incidents underscore the urgent need for effective civilian protection, credible investigations, and decisive action to prevent further loss of life.
The Ethiopian government has a fundamental responsibility to protect its citizens, safeguard religious communities and places of worship, and ensure that those responsible for criminal acts are held accountable. These tragedies must not become normalized, and the suffering of affected communities must not be met with indifference.
We specifically call on U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio to recognize that responding to these reports is both a moral imperative and a serious diplomatic responsibility. The defense of human dignity, religious freedom, and the right to life cannot be limited to declarations of principle. When Christian civilians and clergy face recurring violence, principled leadership requires timely and meaningful engagement.
We urge Secretary Rubio to publicly address the reported killings, direct the U.S. Embassy in Addis Ababa to raise these concerns urgently with Ethiopian authorities, and press for concrete measures to protect Christian civilians and clergy, secure the release of abducted persons, conduct credible and impartial investigations, and hold perpetrators accountable under the law.
We are also deeply troubled by the lack of a forceful response from Western diplomatic missions, the African Union, and the United Nations. Their silence in the face of recurring reports of deadly violence is difficult to reconcile with their stated commitments to human rights, religious freedom, civilian protection, and the prevention of atrocities. International engagement must come before a crisis becomes irreversible—not after a nation has been devastated by violence that timely action might have helped prevent.
We therefore call on the United States and the wider international community to move beyond expressions of concern and pursue sustained diplomatic engagement, measurable civilian-protection commitments, and accountability. The Ethiopian government must be pressed to fulfill its responsibility to protect all citizens, regardless of religious or ethnic identity.
We extend our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and express our solidarity with the injured, those reportedly abducted, affected clergy, displaced households, and all communities living under the threat of violence.
As an organization committed to strengthening U.S.–Ethiopia relations, we believe that defending human life, protecting religious freedom, and upholding human dignity are essential to our shared values and a lasting bilateral partnership.
The people of Ethiopia, especially Christians living in Arsi Zone, deserve protection, justice, and peace. The people of Ethiopia deserve a future free from recurring violence and fear. The time for meaningful action is now.
👇🔗🔗
t.me/eotctvchannel/10183
@WhiteHouse @StateDept @USEmbassyAddis @UAEthio @UNOSAPG @VP @realDonaldTrump
@TheIRD, @StateDRL, @AsstSecStateAF, @richghazal,
@markdtooley, @OrthodoxyNews,
@USEmbassyAddis
@indefchristians,
@RepJohnJames,
@housegop, @Repsarajacobs,
@YoungKimCA, @RepJimBaird, @CongressmanKean,
@RepMillsPress, @RepGaramendi,
@jakejsullivan, @IMFNews, @StateDept, @JusticeOfficeUS,
@WorldBank, @WorldBankAfrica,
@StateIRF, @USCIRF, @IrfSecretariat, @Sean_ADFIntl,
@michaelgwaltz,@RepMarkWalker,@RepRileyMoore,@TomColeOk04,@HouseAppropsGOP,@LaurenBinDC,@SecRubio
Dawit retweeted
ETHIOPIA: 60+ Amhara Christians slaughtered in Arsi Sharka for their faith. 36 in one mass grave, Orthodox churches torched, children executed. This is Christian persecution by Abiy Ahmed Ali's genocidal regime. #EOTCUnderattack #AmharaGenocide
@USEmbassyAddis @SecRubio @UN
Dawit retweeted
🚨 Over 160,000 Amhara civilians displaced as ENDF and Oromia Region Gada Commando forces launch attacks across Wollega, with five drone strikes reportedly targeting a school, church and residential areas
Between October 26th and 27th, 2026, attacks involving ENDF, Oromia Region Gada Commando forces, regional security units and the Jaal Mossissa-led Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) continued across Tulu Gana Town, Lomcha Kebele, Chancho, Ali Town and several villages in Abi Dengoro Woreda, Horo Guduru Wollega Zone, Oromia Region. According to Ethio-Focus News, more than 42 Amhara civilians were killed, including over 40 in Tulu Gana and more than 20 reportedly taken from their homes and executed in Mender 23. Among the victims was Sheikh Mohammed Arab, chief imam of the local mosque, who was killed inside the mosque compound.
Fighting also occurred between the attacking forces and Fano’s Tsinat Division alongside local civilian self-defense groups. Fano reportedly sustained four fatalities and seven injuries, while Gada Commando forces suffered heavy casualties, including a senior commander.
An Ethiopian Air Force drone conducted five strikes, including two targeting Chancho School, two targeting Chancho Maryam Church and one targeting Mender 25. Residents of approximately 10 villages, including Menders 3, 14, 15, 23, 24 and 25, Chancho and Ali Town, were displaced from their homes.
East Wollega Zone – Gida Ayana–Kamashi border corridor
On October 27th, additional fighting occurred along the border between Gida Ayana Woreda, East Wollega Zone, and Kamashi Zone, Benishangul-Gumuz Region. Clashes were reported in Arqom 01, Arqom 02 and the Abrahamu area, approximately 15 kilometers from the Gutin exit toward Sudan, as Oromia Region Gada Commando forces, Jaal Mossissa’s units and regional security personnel confronted local Amhara and Gumuz self-defense groups. The fighting reportedly began as regional forces attempted to secure strategic transit routes toward the Sudanese border. Casualties and equipment losses from these engagements remain undetermined.
🚨 Oromia Region security forces and Qeerroo (Oromo youth) massacre over 40 Amhara civilians, including a 10-day-old infant and six children, in Horo Guduru Wollega; over 160,000 displaced from Gida Ayana
On October 26th, 2026, attacks against Amhara civilians continued across Abi Dengoro Woreda, Horo Guduru Wollega Zone, Oromia Region. According to survivors Ethio Focus News spoke to, Oromia Regional Security Forces and armed Qeerroo (Oromo youth), supported by Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF) heavy artillery, carried out attacks in Tulu Gana, Chancho, Gulma and Tulu Lenca kebeles, killing more than 40 civilians, including women, children and elderly residents.
Among those killed with machetes and knives were prominent local merchant Ato Ali Adem, his wife and their six children, as well as a mother who had given birth just 10 days earlier, her newborn infant and other young children. Bodies of victims remained uncollected along the main road connecting Tulu Gana and Chancho Gulma. Residential homes and commercial establishments in Gulma Town were looted and burned, while livestock were stolen and slaughtered near Village 23 School.
Internally displaced civilians sheltering at Menageria Kidane Mihret Church were left vulnerable after ENDF personnel and local municipal officials evacuated toward the Village 15–Gutin exit. Additional attacks and displacement were reported around the Menageria school and bus station area.
Meanwhile, more than 160,000 Amhara civilians have been displaced from Gida Ayana Woreda between August 18th and October 26th. The displacement followed sustained attacks across Gida Ayana, Gutin, Village 23, Endicho, Waja and surrounding areas. Thousands of women, children and elderly residents fled into forests, crossed the Anger River toward Benishangul-Gumuz Region, or attempted to escape through Nekemte Airport, where displaced civilians encountered excessive ticket prices and additional pressure.
Dawit retweeted
.@simonateba🙏🏾4 keeping the spotlight on #Ethiopia amidst competing global challenges. #Ethiopian🇺🇸s remain concerned by the severe #HumanRightsCrisis & #GovernanceFailures👉🏾@AbiyAhmedAli @PMEthiopia Washington must prioritize regional stability.@HouseForeignGOP @ForeignRelations
Gunmen Kill 60 Orthodox Christians in Ethiopia's Arsi in Five Days, Church Says todaynewsafrica.com/story/gu…
Dawit retweeted
👇🏽
⚡️🪧 #PETITION: @Fana4Amhara calls on the UN 🇺🇳, AU 🌍, USA 🇺🇸, EU 🇪🇺, UK 🇬🇧, Canada 🇨🇦, and international human rights organizations to take urgent action to protect Amhara civilians facing escalating identity-based violence in Ethiopia’s Oromia Region.
🔗 c.org/q2PcbpBy2x
