Ethiopia’s Lobbying Efforts to Hide the Genocide in Tigray

The only reason lobbyists are hired by interest groups or foreign governments in the United States is because they play a key role in policy making and persuading public authorities. 

This is why the Tigrayan community and its allies are extremely concerned about the Ethiopian government spending close to 500 thousand dollars in hiring two of the most influential international law firms.^[1]Piro, G., & Beyrer, J. (2021, March 26). Lobbying firm Repping Ethiopian regime a major BIDEN BACKER. Retrieved May 05, 2021, from … Continue reading By doing so, the Ethiopian government is attempting to influence United States policy makers to support their heinous acts of genocide and war crimes in the northernmost region of Ethiopia, Tigray- a face saving strategy as undeniable evidence of war crimes and ethnic cleasing have been presented. 

It is absolutely shocking for a developing country like Ethiopia to be spending that much money on a publicity stunt and strategy when the foreign aid it receives represents 50 to 60 percent of its national budget. 

It is preposterous for a government to find the liberty and flexibility in its national budget to hire a lobbying law firm when all in while it (i) receives millions in foreign aid, (ii) is waging a genocidal war on its own region and invited foreign military presence, and (iii) based the same war on a ‘law-and-order enforcement operation’ scheme justified by the need to capture elected  members of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF). 

The TPLF was one of the former 4 parties that made up the Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democtraic Front (EPRDF),  who allegedly have stolen and sucked the wealth of the country.

Why is the Ethiopian government not prioritizing developmental projects using its budget or the funding from foreign aid to improve the life of its citizens? The priorities of the current government under the rule of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed are clearly not peace, reconciliation and prosperity, but rather war, abomination and bloodshed. 

Since November 4, 2020, the Tigrayan community and its allies have been protesting and advocating for the protection of basic human rights during conflict through social media and by organizing rallies in various cities. There also have been counter-protests supporting the Ethiopian government and its ‘necessary actions’ in the Tigray region.

Overwhelmed by the mixed messaging and deteriorating image of Ethiopia, the Embassy of Ethiopia in D.C decided to hire a law firm to represent the embassy and the government’s interest; i.e the continuation of the genocidal war in Tigray. The first firm the Embassy of Ethiopia hired was Venable LLP, a law firm with heavy influence in the U.S.^[3]https://freebeacon.com/national-security/lobbying-firm-repping-ethiopian-regime-a-major-biden-backer Senate and amongst Democratic constituents. Their contract was from February to April at a rate of $35,000 per month, totalling $105,000 . The current law firm representing and advocating for the Ethiopian government is Holland & Knight, which was hired by Ethiopia’s Ministry of Peace to aid with counsel and help maintain a good relationship between the U.S. and Ethiopia governments. This is a six-month contract worth $270,000.^[4]http://www.tadias.com/04/10/2021/update-ethiopia-hired-more-help-in-dc-to-lobby-u-s-government/ 

With the current unstable state of Ethiopia and the genocidal war against Tigray, which has seen crimes against humanity, war crimes and ethnic cleansing committed by the current government, we have to reconsider and reflect on how various international organizations have a part in the devastating genocide-driven war. 

The law firms representing the government of Ethiopia are indirectly responsible for the crimes committed in Tigray and have blood in their hands. They are representing a genocidal, oppressive and prejudicial government. Law firms, international profit and non-profit organizations need to understand what the Ethiopian government stands for before attempting to speak for them. If not, they will be representing a government that seeks to eradicate Tigrayans from Ethiopia and erase their existence from their native land.

Gual Inda Aba Ts’ahma – Omna Tigray Contributor, May 2021