PETITION TO THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS AND SENATE

Demand an Independent Investigation into U.S. Ambassador Erwin Massinga’s Conduct and U.S. Policy Toward Ethiopia

To: Members of the United States House of Representatives and United States Senate
Subject: Request for Congressional investigation into the conduct of U.S. Ambassador to Ethiopia Erwin Massinga and the United States’ response to escalating atrocities and regional destabilization

We, the undersigned citizens and concerned members of the international community, respectfully petition the United States Congress and Senate to launch an independent investigation into the conduct, decisions, relationships, and official activities of U.S. Ambassador to Ethiopia Erwin Massinga, particularly concerning the United States government’s response to alleged atrocities, drone warfare, humanitarian attacks, and regional military activities involving the Ethiopian federal government.

A disturbing double standard

Ethiopia is once again experiencing a dangerous escalation of armed conflict. Reports have documented renewed fighting involving federal forces and Tigrayan forces, the formation of a new alliance of Ethiopian armed groups, and continuing drone strikes in Tigray. Reuters and other international outlets have reported on the rapidly deteriorating security situation. (Reuters)

At the same time, credible reporting has raised serious questions concerning Ethiopia’s alleged involvement in Sudan’s devastating war.

A Reuters investigation reported that Ethiopia was hosting a secret facility for training thousands of Rapid Support Forces (RSF) fighters and that sources described UAE financing, military trainers, and logistical support connected to the facility. Reuters also reported satellite evidence and testimony from Ethiopian officials and diplomats, while noting that it could not independently verify the UAE’s involvement. The UAE has categorically denied providing military support to the RSF. (Sudan Tribune)

Sudanese officials have subsequently alleged that additional RSF training facilities exist inside Ethiopia. These allegations require independent investigation and verification. (Sudan Tribune)

Sudan has also publicly accused Ethiopia and the UAE of involvement in drone attacks originating from Ethiopian territory, allegations that Ethiopia and the UAE have disputed. (Al Jazeera)

Attacks on humanitarian assistance

Of particular concern is the reported September 20, 2026 drone strike in northwestern Tigray that destroyed a humanitarian truck carrying more than 41 metric tons of food assistance intended for displaced civilians. The incident was reported by multiple sources, including the Catholic Eparchy of Adigrat and Addis Standard. (Addis Standard)

Such incidents demand an immediate, impartial investigation into:

Who operated the drones;
Who authorized the strikes;
What intelligence was used to identify the targets;
Whether civilian and humanitarian protections were deliberately or recklessly disregarded;
Whether foreign governments or foreign-supplied weapons were involved; and
Whether U.S. officials possessed relevant information that was not publicly disclosed.
The people of Tigray and other conflict-affected regions deserve answers.

Questions concerning Ambassador Massinga

Against this background, we are deeply concerned about what petitioners perceive as a prolonged lack of public condemnation from Ambassador Erwin Massinga regarding alleged abuses and attacks affecting civilians and humanitarian operations.

We are particularly concerned by the appearance of a sharply different response following the emergence of the Ethiopian armed-group alliance and the subsequent escalation of fighting.

Rather than simply accepting competing political narratives, we ask Congress to determine whether the Ambassador’s conduct has been consistent with U.S. law, U.S. foreign-policy objectives, diplomatic ethics, and the United States’ stated commitment to human rights and civilian protection.

Recent reporting confirms that seven Ethiopian armed groups—including the TPLF and Amhara Fano factions—announced an alliance seeking to remove Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s government. (Reuters)

The subsequent public statements by U.S. diplomatic representatives should therefore be examined alongside the Ambassador’s previous public statements—or lack thereof—regarding civilian casualties, humanitarian attacks, displacement, and alleged abuses.

We demand transparency

We respectfully request that Congress investigate:

Whether Ambassador Massinga or other U.S. officials possessed information concerning alleged attacks against civilians and humanitarian operations in Tigray and Amhara that was not appropriately communicated to Congress or the American public.
Whether the Ambassador has maintained relationships with Ethiopian government officials that could create an actual or perceived conflict of interest.
Whether official travel, meetings, hospitality, accommodation, gifts, or other benefits involving Ethiopian government officials have complied with applicable U.S. ethics regulations.
Whether any U.S. diplomatic personnel have received or accepted inappropriate benefits, hospitality, or financial advantages from Ethiopian government officials or affiliated entities.
Whether U.S. diplomatic policy toward Ethiopia has been influenced by political, financial, personal, or institutional interests inconsistent with U.S. law and policy.
Whether U.S. officials were aware of allegations concerning Ethiopian territory being used for RSF training, logistics, or military operations connected to Sudan’s war and, if so, what action was taken.
Whether U.S. intelligence or diplomatic reporting contains information concerning the alleged use of foreign-supplied drones against civilian or humanitarian targets in Ethiopia.
Whether Ambassador Massinga’s public statements and diplomatic actions have been consistent and impartial with respect to civilians affected by the conflict.
Protect civilians—not governments

The United States should not be perceived as protecting any Ethiopian political faction from accountability.

The fundamental concern of American foreign policy should be the protection of civilians, humanitarian access, human rights, and regional stability—not political loyalty to any government.

We therefore urge Congress to examine allegations of:

Mass displacement;
Attacks against civilians;
Destruction of humanitarian assistance;
Food insecurity and deprivation;
Alleged sexual violence;
Drone attacks;
Alleged foreign military assistance;
The use of Ethiopian territory in Sudan’s conflict;
Restrictions on humanitarian and federal services;
And any conduct that could constitute war crimes, crimes against humanity, or other violations of international law.
These allegations should be investigated impartially, regardless of which political or ethnic group is responsible.

Our demands

We respectfully call upon the United States Congress and Senate to:

1. Launch a formal congressional investigation into Ambassador Erwin Massinga’s conduct in Ethiopia.

2. Request relevant State Department records concerning Ambassador Massinga’s meetings, travel, official hospitality, communications, and interactions with Ethiopian government officials.

3. Request appropriate intelligence and diplomatic assessments concerning alleged drone attacks and foreign military assistance involving Ethiopia and Sudan.

4. Hold public congressional hearings concerning U.S. policy toward Ethiopia and its response to alleged atrocities and humanitarian violations.

5. Investigate whether any U.S. laws, diplomatic regulations, ethics rules, or congressional directives have been violated.

6. Demand transparent reporting from the State Department concerning U.S. knowledge of alleged attacks on humanitarian personnel, food assistance, refugees, and civilians.

7. Ensure that U.S. diplomatic policy does not provide political cover for any government or armed group accused of serious human-rights violations.

8. Support independent international investigations into alleged attacks against civilians and humanitarian operations in Ethiopia.

A message to the United States Congress

Silence in the face of credible allegations can undermine confidence in American diplomacy.

The United States has repeatedly stated that human rights, humanitarian protection, accountability, and the rule of law matter in its foreign policy.

We therefore ask Congress to apply those principles consistently.

The people of Ethiopia, Tigray, Amhara, and the people of neighboring Sudan should not have to wonder whether geopolitical interests matter more than their lives.

We are not asking Congress to choose an Ethiopian political faction.

We are asking Congress to investigate.

We are asking for transparency.

We are asking for accountability.

We are asking for equal protection of civilians.

And we are asking the United States government to ensure that its diplomatic representatives are acting in accordance with American law, American values, and the interests of peace and human dignity.

Congress must investigate.

The State Department must answer.

Civilians must not be forgotten.

Sign this petition and demand an independent congressional investigation into Ambassador Erwin Massinga’s conduct and U.S. policy toward Ethiopia.