UMD Media, May 18, 2025
“Stop the War! End Authoritarian Rule! Let Peace Prevail!” — With this slogan, Ye-abronet-Ethiopia has issued a global call for a mass virtual protest to be held on Saturday, June 7, 2025 (ግንቦት 30, 2017 ዓም), at 11:00 AM Ethiopian time (10:00 AM Washington, 3:00 PM London). The event, titled “100,000 Voices for Peace”, will be livestreamed in in partnership with Reyot Media on YouTube, Rumble, and other social platforms to mobilize a global Ethiopian audience in peaceful resistance.
The organizer warn that Ethiopia is at a critical juncture, with escalating civil conflict and authoritarian governance pushing the country toward collapse. The ruling Prosperity Party, they argue, has failed in its duty to maintain peace and uphold constitutional order, endangering the very survival of the nation. Meanwhile, the opposition remains fragmented and uncoordinated, unable to provide an effective alternative path forward.
This protest is intended to serve as a powerful expression of the people’s demand for peace and their rejection of state-sponsored violence. It aims to show that repression cannot stifle nonviolent civic resistance, and that a united, organized opposition—built on shared national interests—can offer a meaningful path to democratic change. The event also seeks to set a precedent for large-scale virtual mobilization, showcasing that digital platforms can be used to build inclusive movements for justice and reform.
The protest will feature 15 prominent speakers drawn from across the political and civic spectrum, including those actively engaged in peaceful advocacy or resistance. Their public addresses will center on the question: “How can war be stopped, authoritarianism dismantled, and lasting peace secured in Ethiopia?” The government will be given an open invitation to respond and share its position if willing.
Organizers are calling on political parties, civil society organizations, and independent media outlets to spread the word and drive turnout. The event’s success, they emphasize, will depend on widespread engagement, especially from the Ethiopian diaspora.
Ye-abronet-Ethiopia is a nonprofit civic pressure group currently being established in the United States. Lidetu Ayalew, a prominent Ethiopian political leader, is chair of the establishment coordinating committee. Lidetu, known for his long history of peaceful political activism, has been repeatedly imprisoned in Ethiopia and is now barred by the government from returning to the country, forcing him into stay in the U.S. According to its first press release, Ye-abronet-Ethiopia is not a political party and does not seek electoral office. Instead, it is dedicated to advancing peaceful resistance and democratic values in Ethiopia by fostering a platform for civic dialogue, public protest, and strategic advocacy. The organization says it seeks to unite Ethiopians of all backgrounds—across ethnic, religious, and ideological divides—around a shared mission: to prevent national disintegration, promote political reform, and uphold social justice and human rights through nonviolent means.
