OVP members took an advocacy trip to Washington DC

[Queen_Arawello]

March 30, 2010 (QOL) a delegation of Ogaden Voice for Peace members took an advocacy trip to Washington DC. This trip focused on meetings with Senior Administration officials, members of congress and other influential sources with regards to US Policy towards the Horn of Africa. It was an occasion to frankly exchange views and develop a collaborative relationship in order to address the some of the enormous challenges that are present in the Ogaden region of Ethiopia. While it’s important to keep sources and agenda items confidential, the trip was extremely successful. There was also a general agreement that continuation of the status quo poses not only a threat to peace and stability in the Ogaden but also to the entire Horn of Africa.


The meetings at Capitol Hill took place with members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee including Senator Barbara Boxer whom the delegation provided briefings in the Dirksen Hearing Room. The delegation also met with Senior Policy advisors in the areas of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Aid and Defense Policy who are all developing their interagency priorities and focus in the Horn of Africa.



The delegation finally met with The United States State Department who are responsible in implementing the administration’s policy towards the Horn of Africa. The Ogaden Voice for Peace delegation met with the delegation that met with the Ethiopian leadership in early march in Addis Ababa. The delegation was led by Deputy Assistant Secretary of State-Mr. Karl Wycoff. Some of the issues discussed including conflict resolution, humanitarian assistance and greater focus on development.

The delegation was also received by the State Department Bureau for refugees. The focus was highlighting the enormous challenges that refugees from the Ogaden region face when they flee for safety in nearby regions or countries. In two of the regions refugees are routinely detained, tortured and then handed to Ethiopian Intelligence Services to demonstrate their loyalty to the regime in Addis Ababa. Representatives from the State Department will be traveling to Horn of Africa in the next 3 month to assess the needs of these refugees in order to provide humanitarian assistance.

[Queen_Arawello]

last minute rehersal

[Queen_Arawello]

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