The International Ethiopian Women’s Organization (IEWO) strongly opposes and condemns EPRDF's act of conceding Ethiopia’s territory to the neighboring Sudan. 

We are gravely concerned by the recent news not only that 1600 km land of Ethiopia is given away to Sudan but also the fact that the Sudanese army has occupied the north west Ethiopian territory and is engaged in killing, kidnapping, imprisoning and dismantling the community from their home and land.

Whereas the border demarcation between the two countries is well known, people were killed and several injured in a conflict at the Ethio-Sudanese border.  According to the report the conflict started on February 12 between Ethiopians and Sudanese nationals in Assira town, North Gondar. Sudanese nationals came over and settled in the area crossing the border.

Considering this unjust situation where lives have been lost and a large number of people have been displaced, we condemn Sudan's recent incursion and the subsequent occupation of territories within Ethiopia's Borders. We demand the immediate and unconditional withdrawal of all of Sudan's forces from Ethiopia, aggressed neighboring country. The outrageous and contemptible acts against unarmed families have affected areas and villages along the entire length of the border.

The Ethiopian people who live in the region have voiced their concern and express the consequences and danger of such a reckless and illegal action by the authorities of both countries. The people in the border regions are now sandwiched by Sudanese army who is looting and displacing people on one side and by the EPRDF/Woyane forces on the other side and exposing them for severe danger and leaving the people with no defense and protection.  We are cognizant of the dictatorial and anti Ethiopia nature and behaviors of Meles Zenawi as it was demonstrated in the past 17 years, however this recent action calls for an alarm, this may be a major precursor to accomplishing the final mission of dismembering and compromising the integrity and the sovereignty of the Ethiopian nation. The unbearable plight of our people for the past two decades with the increase in poverty and starvation diseases and premature death; the unpopular and anti Ethiopian ethnic politics which compromised the sovereignty of our nation starting with the cessation of Eritrea. The EPRDF engaged not only in gross violations of human rights repression, imprisonment, political terrorism and violence all over the country but also engaged in the war that Meles Zenawi declared on Somalia and the brutality, and human rights aggression and massive killings of the people of Somalia which  further destabilizing security and peace in the region.

We, Ethiopian women, believe that today Ethiopia is not represented by a government that has the nation’s and the peoples’ interest at heart. Therefore until Ethiopians that put the interest and well being of the nation and the people first govern Ethiopia, any international agreement and treaties or resolving border disputes between neighboring countries during the rule of the EPRDF/Woyane, shall not be legal binding.  Therefore we call upon the Sudanese government to withdraw its occupation immediately and respect Ethiopia’s national integrity for the secret treaty with EPRDF/Woyane is not recognized by the people as their government for their actions has proved to be anti Ethiopia and against her people.  It is a well established fact that the EPRDF/Woyane has lost the popular vote in 2005 election therefore we demand that the voice of the people be honored by forming their own legitimate people’s government immediately. 

We also call upon the international community to stand by and support the Ethiopian people and condemn such acts and atrocities committed on Ethiopians by both the EPRDF/Woyane and the Sudanese government.

Let it be known to all that Ethiopians do not honor or recognize any treaties made with woyane, for they do not represent Ethiopia and the Ethiopian People

We the Ethiopian women, will defend our people and fight for their inalienable rights; the violation of Ethiopia’s territorial integrity and the oppression and repression of our people is unacceptable and we are putting you on watch.

Ethiopia Shall Prevails!!!

IEWO ______________________________________________________________

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