November 6, 2025
Eritrean Council – Wahington DC, Maryland and Virginia (EC-DMV)
Eritrean Council – DMV Issues Resolutions in Response to Ethiopian Threats and Calls for National Unity Across Political Lines
The EC-DMV, a Yiakl (“enough”) civic movement representing Eritrean communities across the Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia metropolitan area, convened an emergency meeting on November 6, 2025, in response to the ongoing and recent statements by the Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed threatening to “correct the historical mistake” of Eritrea’s independence and to re-annex Eritrea while vowing to seize the Port of Assab by force.
The Eritrean Council unequivocally condemns Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s inflammatory threats to seize Eritrea’s Port of Assab and undermine Eritrea’s sovereignty is a blatant violation of the UN Charter (Article 2(4)) and the Eritrea–Ethiopia Boundary Commission’s (EEBC) final and binding ruling.
The EC-DMV also urgently calls for justice for the three detained Eritrean Refugees in Ethiopia.
Following deliberations, the EC-DMV unanimously adopted the following resolutions:
Resolution 1: Formal Condemnation of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed
The EC-DMV strongly condemns the unlawful and destabilizing threats issued by Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed against the sovereign State of Eritrea. Eritrea’s independence and territorial integrity are non-negotiable, secured through decades of sacrifice and protected under international law.
A formal diplomatic communication has been delivered to the United Nations, African Union, European Union, IGAD, and major world governments, urging immediate diplomatic engagement to prevent escalation and preserve stability in the Horn of Africa.
“Any nation’s request to access Eritrean ports must occur only through lawful, peaceful, and mutually beneficial agreements between sovereign states,” stated EC-DMV members. “Defending Eritrea’s sovereignty is not equivalent to defending the Eritrean government-it is a defense of the Eritrean people’s right to peace and independence.”
Resolution 2: Call for Eritrean Unity and Global Mobilization
The EC-DMV calls on all Eritreans-regardless of political affiliation, ideology, or position toward the current government-to unite in the defense of the nation’s sovereignty. This unity is patriotic, not political.
We urge Eritrean communities, civic groups, activists, and organizations across all global regions to continuously write condemnation letters to all stakeholders and organize peaceful rallies to:
• Demonstrate Eritrean unity against external threats
• Reject war rhetoric and promote regional peace
• Strengthen dialogue, mutual respect, and cooperation among Eritreans
“Our debates about governance must never divide us when the country’s existence is at stake,” affirmed an EC-DMV members. “Our loyalty is to Eritrea-its people, not its politics.”
Resolution 3: Urgent Call for Justice for Detained Eritrean Refugee Activists in Ethiopia
The EC-DMV urgently calls for justice regarding the detention of three senior leaders of the Brigade Nhamedu – Ethiopia Chapter, who were taken into custody by Oromia Regional Security Forces on October 17, 2025, and are currently held at the Tiliduntu detention facility in Addis Ababa:
- Mr. Zerisenay Meles (Chairman)
- Mr. Yonas Mebrahtom (Head of Finance)
- Mr. Habtom Gebretsadik (Head of Security)
These individuals are Eritrean refugees legally residing in Ethiopia, advocating peacefully for democratic change.
We respectfully request that the Government of Ethiopia and Oromia Regional Administration:
- Ensure due legal process, and
- Release these individuals or bring them before a competent court without delay.
Signed,
Eritrean Council – DMV
Washington, D.C., USA
eritreancouncildmv25@gmail.com
English