Ethiopian Public Diplomacy Network (EPDN HQ)

AEPAC Statement Supporting Congressional Call for Urgent U.S. Diplomatic Action in Ethiopia and the Horn of Africa The American Ethiopian Public Affairs Committee (AEPAC) expresses its full support for the letter addressed to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio by members of Congress concerning the deteriorating security situation in Ethiopia and the growing risk of a wider regional conflict in the Horn of Africa. Taking into consideration the prolonged war in the Amhara region, the renewed war in Tigray, continued armed conflicts across other parts of Ethiopia, and the recent formation of the Alliance for Survival (AFS), AEPAC shares the serious concerns expressed by the congressional leaders regarding the escalating hostilities throughout Ethiopia, rising tensions between Ethiopia and Eritrea, the potential involvement of regional actors, and the grave humanitarian consequences of further conflict. The escalating crisis underscores the urgent need for sustained U.S. diplomatic leadership, coordinated regional engagement, the protection of civilians, and a credible, inclusive, and sustainable peace process. Unresolved political and security challenges, regional tensions, and the risk of further armed conflict threaten to deepen instability and cause additional humanitarian suffering. Preventing a wider regional war must be an immediate priority. AEPAC therefore endorses the recommendations in the congressional letter and urges the U.S. Department of State to take the following actions: 1. Appoint and empower a Senior Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa. Provide the envoy with sufficient authority to engage directly with the leadership of Ethiopia and Eritrea at the presidential level and coordinate diplomatic efforts with the African Union (AU), the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), and the United Nations (UN). 2. Press for an immediate ceasefire and a renewed peace process. Urge all parties to halt hostilities and pursue an inclusive, sustainable political settlement supported by independent monitoring and an effective dispute-resolution mechanism. 3. Prevent an interstate war between Ethiopia and Eritrea. Engage both governments directly at the highest diplomatic levels, press them to honor their commitments under the 2018 Jeddah Agreement, and warn Egypt, Sudan, and Gulf partners against providing military assistance or other support to armed proxies that could intensify the conflict. 4. Mobilize Gulf and regional partners to advance de-escalation. Work with countries across the Middle East and North Africa, as well as other influential regional actors, to coordinate diplomatic efforts, reduce tensions, and halt the supply of drones and other weapons used in attacks that endanger civilian lives. 5. Ensure humanitarian access and restore emergency response funding. Press the Government of Ethiopia to guarantee unfettered humanitarian access to all populations in need, restore essential emergency response funding, and provide Congress with detailed information on humanitarian assistance committed to Ethiopia since September 23, 2026. 6. Protect civilians and strengthen accountability. Urge all parties to uphold international human rights standards and applicable international humanitarian law, support meaningful accountability for those responsible for war crimes and other serious human rights violations, and provide protection and assistance to survivors of sexual and gender-based violence. Civilians and affected communities must also have a meaningful role in peacebuilding and reconciliation. 7. Reinstate targeted sanctions and visa restrictions. Apply these measures consistently against individuals on all sides who are responsible for atrocities or whose actions contribute to escalating violence and regional instability. 8. Rebuild U.S. diplomatic and analytical capacity in the region. Strengthen sustained diplomatic engagement, regional expertise, and early-warning capabilities, and provide regular briefings to Congress on the administration’s strategy to prevent further conflict in Ethiopia, the Horn of Africa, and the broader region. Preventing a wider war in the Horn of Africa is far less costly—in human, economic, and strategic terms—than managing its consequences after escalation. Further conflict would place additional civilian lives at risk, deepen displacement and humanitarian suffering, threaten regional security, and undermine stability across an already fragile region. The United States has an important role to play in supporting preventive diplomacy, encouraging regional cooperation, protecting vulnerable populations, and advancing a credible and sustainable path toward peace. Such efforts should be guided by respect for human rights, accountability, sovereignty, and the legitimate aspirations of the peoples of the region for security, dignity, and lasting stability. AEPAC urges the Department of State to respond with the urgency this crisis demands and supports the congressional leaders’ request for a briefing on the Department’s strategy no later than November 30, 2026. The American Ethiopian Public Affairs Committee reaffirms its commitment to peace, civilian protection, and lasting stability in Ethiopia and throughout the Horn of Africa. We call on U.S. policymakers and regional partners to act decisively and diplomatically before the current crisis escalates into a wider and more devastating regional war. 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