Borkena
Article was updated on November 22, 2024 at 1:48 P.M. Toronto Time to include audio clip from MP Gord Johns speech
Toronto – Tens of thousands of ethnic Amhara Ethiopians organized a massive peaceful demonstration on Tuesday in Canada’s capital, Ottawa.
Sources told Borkena that many protesters drove from Kitchener, London, and Toronto to raise their voices against the massacre of civilians in Ethiopia’s Amhara region. Hundreds of protesters also traveled from Montreal to join the rally.
Credible reports indicate recurring drone strikes targeting civilians in the Amhara region. Some of these attacks have been documented by human rights organizations. Schools, open market areas, and health centers have been among the targets of these drone strikes.
In the most recent drone strike, a health center in the Durebete area of Gojjam was targeted, reportedly killing six pregnant women who were at the facility for maternity care.
The Amhara Association in Ottawa played a key role in organizing the protest.
“The Amhara Association of Ottawa extends heartfelt thanks to all Amhara associations who joined today’s protest: Fidel Amhara, Dejen Le Amhara, Kingston Amhara Association, CASA, ACT, and Ethio-Canadian HG & Team Montreal. Together, we stand united against #AmharaGenocide,” the association said in a social media update.
Gord Johns, NDP Member of Parliament for Courtenay-Alberni, attended the rally and delivered what the Amhara Association of America described as “a powerful message” in defense of human rights in Ethiopia.
Background to the Conflict in the Amhara Region of Ethiopia
In August 2023, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s government declared a state of emergency, citing the need to “disarm Fano forces” in the Amhara region.
Initially intended to last only a few weeks, the military operation has stretched on for over a year, with what critics describe as “undesired results” for the federal government. Instead of weakening, Fano forces have reportedly emerged more armed.
Fano, a volunteer militia composed of youth from the region, previously collaborated with the federal government during the two-year war between the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) and the Ethiopian government – which claimed an estimated one million lives.
Reports suggest that as federal forces faced setbacks in infantry warfare, even with mechanized support, the government resorted to drone strikes and extrajudicial executions against civilians as Fano drew massive grassroot support in the region. The government denies targeting civilians.
According to a recent statement from the Amhara Association of America, over 3,000 civilians have been killed since the start of the war, with more than 2,000 others wounded.
The Amhara region remains largely inaccessible to reporters and human rights investigators. A communication blackout was imposed in the region for at least ten months, contributing to concerns that civilian death tolls are significantly underreported.
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