I was recently in Washington D.C. to speak at the Ethiopian Border Commission Meeting as well as to attend the Ethiopian Sport Federation sponsored soccer games, political meetings and other Ethiopian events, all packed into one week. My days were filled with intense political meetings and serious discussions regarding the abysmal condition of Ethiopia and what to do about it, but when I attended the soccer games at the stadium and the Union Station’s Nightclub event for young Ethiopians it was as if I had entered a totally different world from the first.    read...

As pleased as the Anuak Justice Council is with the recent decision by Canadian authorities to deny entry into Canada to Omot Obang Olum, the Anuak governor of the Gambella region suspected of complicity in the Anuak massacre of 2003, we are far more pleased with the prospects of what this means to other Ethiopians suspected of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity who may attempt to seek entry or asylum in the West.   read...

The Anuak Justice Council wishes to make it known that the Director of International Advocacy, Mr. Obang Metho, will not be attending the meeting with un-elected and illegitimate Omot Obang Olum in Minneapolis on Saturday, May 31, 2008 or in Calgary, Canada on June 7, 2008 because it is not seen to be a legitimate venue to address the human rights crimes committed against his own people, the Anuak, over the last ten years. read...

The Worldwide March Committee for Freedom and Justice, held from May 15-18 was a great effort by hundreds of organizers and participants in Ethiopian cities and communities throughout the world. We want to thank all of those organizers who worked so hard and devoted countless hours to bring it all together in a relatively short period of time!   read...

Ethnic isolation accompanied by promised development and other “payoffs” for “your group” in exchange for your compliance with the EPRDF government of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi is a favorite approach by this regime.   read...

May 15, 2008, just one month from today, will mark the third anniversary of the Ethiopian National Election of 2005 when 26 million Ethiopians came out to vote for change in Ethiopia—and won... On May 15, 2008 and the following weekend, from wherever you are, let us come together in a worldwide demonstration to show Meles and his supporters that he has NOT silenced Ethiopians despite clamping down more tightly on every one of our freedoms.  read...

I, Obang Metho, am writing this letter to you to address the problem of discouragement that has taken such a huge toll on our movement for freedom, justice, equality and democracy. What I am hearing in most every recent phone call, email and communication is that many Ethiopians are just too hurt, disappointed and discouraged over the failure of all political organizations to unite and move forward to bring freedom, justice, peace, stability and prosperity to Ethiopia and because of that, no one should expect them to do anything more at this time. Instead, they are giving up and have decided instead to just carry on with their own lives.   read...

The African roosters are crowing from the north to the south to the east and to the west as the first rays of dawn’s light are cracking through the darkness hanging over Africa. From all over the continent, Africans are awakening to a new understanding of their God-given rights, their democratic rights and with them, to the desire to rule themselves. No longer are they willing to put up with a legacy of corrupt, greedy and power-hungry dictators, no different from the colonizers, who controlled the continent for years with their evil policies of divide and conquer.   read...

What is becoming very obvious is that it all depends who you ask. We speak to many Ethiopians every day who tell us about the desperate conditions of the people within Ethiopia. From Ogadenis and reporters like Jeffrey Gettleman of the New York Times, we hear of the horrific human rights abuses and an increasingly worsening humanitarian crisis surpassing that of Darfur in the Ogaden.   read...

Four years ago, when someone asked me whether I was a Christian, I said, “I’m a Sunday Christian.” In other words, I went to church, but it was only skin deep. But then, something happened and God reached out to me, and my life has changed forever. It all began with the most tragic event I have ever experienced—the genocide of my people which began on December 13, 2003.   read...

It is exciting for me to be here with other Ethiopians from all over our country who will contribute in their unique way in creating something much greater and grander—an Ethiopia that is not in pieces, but is one.   read...

Our mother continent of Africa remains the poorest continent in the world in terms of education, health care, income level and overall well-being, despite being one of the richest continents in terms of natural resources..... One has to ask why this is happening and when it will end, if ever! To me, it will not end without all Africans joining together and finding a meaningful ways to discover who we are.  read...

The Anuak Justice Council calls Ethiopians to not seek revenge against Muslims or Christians for the recent religiously based killings in Ethiopia. Instead, Ethiopians are urged to exercise extreme caution as this conflict may not be about religion at all, but be about the EPRDF.
The AJC calls on all leaders, especially in the religious community, to guide your people towards forgiveness and reconciliation.  read...

I am here before you today because of the lack of stability in Africa. In fact, most Africans who are here in Canada as refugees or new citizens, have come to this country, looking for the security and stability that does not exist in most places in Africa. As a result of that instability, I established a development agency in Ethiopia. Because of that same instability, I had to leave the work of development and become a human rights defender. It is in this capacity that I address you today.  read...

Obang Metho urges love over hate at the premier of this riveting and revealing documentary film. The DVD video portrays the deepening crisis of democracy in Ethiopia under the current EPRDF government of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi.  read...

Ethiopian National Defense Forces have ordered the Anuak in over 12 villages in three districts in the Gambella region of Ethiopia to immediately leave their homes, property and crops. This causes severe hardship for families as this is a critical time for the crops, which are almost ready for harvesting. Some farmers who refused to leave were beaten and taken to detention centers.
The Anuak Justice Council has received reports that 21 more Anuak were killed in July alone. In one district alone, Abobo, since the beginning of the year, 31 Anuak have been reported missing. read...

We must build positive relationships if we are to make a difference for Ethiopians. We have problems in our communities and ethnic groups. As one person or group tries to do something, others try to sabotage it, usually not openly, but in quiet conversations with others where the truth is twisted and others are misrepresented. It is easy to be critical without offering anything better and under the pretense of some broader vaguely defined goals that do not make sense.  read...

The Anuak Justice Council has been researching the June 11 ambush of a bus near the Gambella region of Ethiopia. Read local testimonies surrounding this incident..    read...

I am not here to defend a political party or position, but I am hopeful that as a defender of human rights and also as someone who has been involved in development in the Gambella region, that I will be able to provide a helpful perspective and vision regarding the needs of the Anuak and others suffering in Ethiopia...  read ...

Good afternoon brothers and sisters. I am very honored and delighted to be here with you in this great city of London. I am glad to be here as part of the great family of Ethiopians who want to contribute to a more beautiful Ethiopia. I thank you for inviting me to talk about the human rights abuses going on back home that most of you know about, but may not know specific details.  read ...

I have been invited to talk about the gross human rights abuses taking place in Ethiopia. It is impossible to talk about this without considering why we have such abuses taking place throughout Ethiopia. I come not as a member of a political group. My ambition is not to run for any political office, but is to contribute to making Ethiopia a better place for generations to come for all ethnic groups..   read ...

Dear Chairman Smith and other members of the Subcommittee on Africa: I am taking this opportunity to thank you on behalf of the Anuak Justice Council and the Anuak people. We are overwhelmingly delighted with the opportunity you gave to the Anuak and to the other oppressed people of Ethiopia at the recent hearing regarding Ethiopia’s Troubled Internal
Situation at the House Subcommittee...  read ... (pdf)

Mr. Chairman Smith, members of the subcommittees, Thank you for inviting me to testify on Ethiopia today. I would also like to thank you for organizing this hearing and your work over the years to bring a just, lasting peace in Ethiopia. I request that my statement be submitted into the record in its entirety.  read ...