Ethiopian activists based abroad say IMF funds to the government are used to acquire weapons to carry out muscular retribution against unarmed civilians.
Representing nine organisations, Ethiopian activists outside the country Tuesday wrote to IMF Director, Dr Kristalina Georgieva, warning her that funds to the government go to the purchase of weapons used to allegedly commit atrocities.
They said that the “Ethiopian government is disproportionately allocating resources to acquire weaponry, including drones, which have been used to target civilians.”
Stating atrocities allegedly committed by forces loyal to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in Marawi, the Amhara region, extrajudicial killings by a covert group called “Kore Negegna”, the organisations said the funding will exacerbate the killings.
They said the Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF) is employing drones, heavy weaponry, and starvation tactics, resulting in significant loss of life and a humanitarian crisis in multiple regions.
Deadly drone attacks in civilian areas have led to thousands of deaths and the displacement of millions, compounding the plight of over 20 million Ethiopians in need of food aid.
A recent statement from the US State Department highlights concerns about “indiscriminate drone strikes, arbitrary detentions, restrictions on press freedom, and internet shutdowns” in Ethiopia.
Despite these concerns, the Ethiopian government is allocating billions to vanity projects, such as a reported multi-billion-dollar new palace, disregarding the worsening economic conditions faced by the Ethiopian people.
“We trust that the IMF recognizes that Ethiopia’s economic challenges are intertwined with political instability, rampant corruption within the ruling party and military, and severe economic mismanagement,” the organisations said in a statement.
According to the organisations, these factors have led to declining export earnings, decreased agricultural and manufacturing activities, and chronic inflation.
Providing financial assistance to the Ethiopian government currently, even with stringent oversight, risks further misuse, enabling the government to fund military operations to suppress dissent rather than addressing underlying political issues.
“Therefore, we urge the IMF to reconsider any decision to extend financial assistance to the Ethiopian government and instead, make aid contingent upon the government ceasing warfare, halting attacks on civilians, and taking concrete and measured steps towards resolving the crisis politically,” they added.
MG/as/APA