Open letter
Kristalina Georgieva
Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund
International Monetary Fund, 700 19th Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20431
RE: Tigray Genocide Request for IMF Country Policy Review on Ethiopia
Dear Mrs. Kristalina Georgieva,
TADE UK is a community Organisation formed by British citizens of Ethiopian origin in November 2020 to create awareness of the plight of Tigrayans in Ethiopia who have been affected by the ongoing war & conflicts in Ethiopia. Members of TADE UK have been directly impacted by the ongoing conflict, including through the death of close family members in Tigray. TADE UK carries out advocacy and public education campaigns, and works to promote peace, development and stability in Tigray, and in Ethiopia at large. TADE UK works closely with UK civic organisations, youth Forums, NGO’s and international development organisations.
We are writing for the third time to express our deep concern regarding the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) planned visit and engagement with the Government of Ethiopia and to urgently request a comprehensive review of your institution’s policies toward the country. The situation in Ethiopia demands immediate attention, as the government stands accused of grave violations of international law, including war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide, particularly against the Tigrayan people. These allegations are supported by credible international investigations, including those conducted by the United Nations and human rights organisations (ICHREE) . We have sent you an appeal letters to you numerous occasions on 28 August 2021 and 8 January 2022. We have not received an acknowledgement or response from the IMF.
The Ethiopian government, under Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, has prioritised militarisation and conflict over the welfare of its citizens. It is estimated that 20-25% of Ethiopia’s GDP is allocated to its war machinery and security apparatus, fuelling continuous violence against civilians in regions such as Tigray, Amhara and Oromia. This disproportionate spending on war has come at the expense of basic services, economic development, and the well-being of the Ethiopian people. The reconstruction of Tigray War damages hasn’t started and is totally abandoned.
The IMF has a responsibility to ensure that its financial assistance does not inadvertently support regimes accused of atrocities. Your institution’s strict lending rules are designed to prevent such outcomes, yet there is growing concern that these rules are not being adequately enforced in the case of Ethiopia. By failing to hold the Ethiopian government accountable, the IMF risks being complicit in perpetuating a cycle of violence, human suffering and genocide.
We urge the IMF to:
1. Immediately suspend all financial assistance to Ethiopia, until a thorough, independent investigation is conducted into the government’s use of funds and its compliance with international human rights standards.
2. Apply your strict lending rules rigorously, ensuring that no funds are used to support activities that contribute to conflict, human rights abuses, or the oppression of civilian populations.
3. Demand transparency and accountability from the Ethiopian government regarding its spending priorities, particularly its disproportionate allocation of resources to military and security operations.
Failure to address these issues will not only undermine the IMF’s credibility but will also be tantamount to colluding with a regime accused of heinous crimes. The international community, including the IMF, must not turn a blind eye to the suffering of the Ethiopian people. The IMF has a moral and ethical obligation to ensure that its resources are not used to perpetuate violence or support regimes that violate fundamental human rights.
We trust that you will take this matter seriously when you meet the Ethiopian PM and act swiftly to uphold the principles of justice, accountability, and human dignity that the IMF claims to champion. The world is watching, and history will judge us all by our actions—or inaction—in the face of such atrocities.
Yours sincerely,
TADAUK.ORG
Info@tadauk.org