Stop supplying the drones. They are killing civilians.

Re: Open letter to the President of the United Arab Emirates

Your Excellency Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan,

We write to you with deep sadness and disappointment regarding the ongoing situation in Ethiopia. It has come to our attention that the UAE continues to be the primary supplier of weapons and drones to Prime Minister Abiy, who is utilizing them in a brutal war against Amhara people who are living in the Amhara and Oromia regions.

Previously, Abiy waged a devastating war in Tigray, resulting in the loss of countless innocent lives, including women, children, and the elderly. His army, equipped with drones, has been ruthlessly targeting civilians without discrimination. These attacks have included young shepherd boys, women, elderly men returning from church, and even individuals simply purchasing gas from petrol stations in the Amhara region. Similar drone attacks have also been carried out in Oromia, causing the deaths of numerous innocent Amhara civilians.

Furthermore, The World Food Programme has declared that 9.4 million people across the Tigray, Afar, and Amhara regions need food assistance due to the impacts of conflict. While your government may be able to assist those who are severely hungry, we hope you’ll concur with us that the UAE shouldn’t give drones and ammunition to a regime that primarily uses them to kill defenceless civilians and stand on the wrong side of history with the Ethiopian people.

Your Excellency Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, as a responsible leader of the UAE and a friend to the Ethiopian people, we implore you to take a stand and cease the supply of arms that are being used to kill women, children, and the elderly. While Abiy and his generals bear the primary responsibility for these atrocities, we believe that your intervention can make a significant difference in protecting innocent lives and promoting peace in Ethiopia. We are confident your Excellency will agree that it would not be prudent to have blood on your hands by continuing the supply of armaments to the dying regime of Abiy Ahmed and jeopardise the cordial relationship between the people of Ethiopia and that of the UAE.

We kindly request your urgent attention to this matter and hope that you will consider our plea for the sake of humanity and the well-being of the Ethiopian people.