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Jerry Torres Demands US Stop Funding Humanitarian Abuses in Amhara Region


Photos from a camp for Internally Displaced People in Wollo in the Amhara region for ethnic Amhara   Escaping genocide in the Oromia Region being committed by forces serving the Abiy Ahmed Regime.
A woman in a camp for Internally Displaced People in Wollo in the Amhara region, where refugees are escaping genocide being committed by forces serving Abiy Ahmed's regime in the Oromia region. Photo credit: Jemal Countess

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 21, 2024


Contact: Jerry Torres for U.S. Congress



Springfield, VA — Jerry Torres on Sunday called for an end to the misuse of the United States' foreign aid in Ethiopia, where it has fueled a brutal conflict between the government and residents of the Amhara region, and said he would work to end the conflict if elected.


“I will work to make Ethiopia a democratic nation without an authoritarian government,” Torres said in an address at the Amhara Diaspora Global Forum, a two-day event in Springfield, Virginia. “I will make sure that the money given by the U.S. or any other organization that is for humanitarian purposes is used for humanitarian purposes."


Jerry Torres speaking at the Amhara Diaspora Global Forum in Springfield, Virginia on Oct. 20, 2024.
Jerry Torres speaking at the Amhara Diaspora Global Forum in Springfield, Virginia on Oct. 20, 2024.

The War in Amhara began in April 2023 as a conflict between the Ethiopian government and the Fano militia. The U.S. provided $757 million in aid to the country in fiscal year 2023, which Democrats in the State Department characterize as humanitarian aid. Critics argue that the funding has instead enabled the government to prolong the conflict and contributed to a growing humanitarian crisis. 


International watchdogs have condemned the Ethiopian military for killing civilians — intentionally and unintentionally. Human Rights Watch said the military had committed war crimes in January when it "executed several dozen civilians" in the town of Merawi.


Jerry Torres with Alem Yetbarek, Adamsu  Kassa, Hermela Mesfin, Haile Taddele and Alemayehu Mekonen
Jerry Torres at the Amhara Diaspora Global Forum with Alem Yetbarek, Adamsu Kassa, Hermela Mesfin, Haile Taddele and Alemayehu Mekonen (L-R)

“The Ethiopian armed forces’ brutal killings of civilians in Amhara undercut government claims that it’s trying to bring law and order to the region,” HRW Deputy Africa Director Laetitia Bader said in a statement at the time. U.S. Ambassador to Ethiopia Ervin Massinga likewise said the U.S. was "deeply concerned" by the reports of "targeted civilian killings,” but declined to call for any change to aid policies.


The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) is investigating after more than 100 civilians — including women and children — were killed by drone strikes initiated by the Ethiopian Defense Army over the first four days of October.


A United Nations report published in July found that an additional estimated 4.5 million people have been displaced by the conflict, “mainly” in the Somali, Oromia and Tigray regions. Education in the region has been largely shuttered because of the violence, with just 1.5 million of Amhara's 7 million students enrolling in classes as of mid-September.


Anita Mpambara-Cox, who fled Uganda with her parents as a teenager in the 1980s, served as the moderator of Sunday’s forum during Torres’ address. She faulted the Biden administration for its failure to take action, saying, “They promise you a seat at the table, but when you get there, the door is locked.”


Torres, a candidate for Congress in Virginia’s 8th congressional district, said he would make changing U.S. policy toward the region a key priority if he is elected. “I will make certain, until my last breath on this earth, that money given by the U.S. to another country for humanitarian purposes is not used to kill innocent people,” Torres said.


For further information or to arrange an interview, please contact the Torres campaign office.


About Jerry Torres: Jerry Torres is a military veteran who served in countries including Ethiopia, Djibouti, Eritrea, and Uganda. He is also a philanthropist and successful business leader dedicated to uniting and uplifting the communities of Alexandria, Arlington, and Fairfax. His campaign focuses on bringing inclusive, effective solutions to the pressing issues facing Virginia's 8th District, leveraging his experience and dedication to help all Virginians thrive.

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Master Sergeant Jerry Torres is a retired combat veteran of the United States Army. Use of his military rank, decorations,job titles, and photographs in uniform does not imply endorsement by the Army or the Department of Defense.

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