Ethiopians now can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that the House of Representatives unanimously passed HR 2003, the Ethiopia Democracy and Accountability Act of 2007. The vote sent a powerful message that a democratic and economically viable Ethiopia can only be a true and durable ally to the United States. It also put the Ethiopian regime on its guard to change its abhorrent human rights record or face the consequence.

The bill would not have come this far had it not been for the exemplary leadership of Congressmen Donald Payne and Christopher Smith. From the time they introduced the bill, the ruling party in Ethiopia through its high-paid lobbyists exerted tremendous pressure to kill it. Defying the conventional politics, they unified their respective parties to achieve the passage of this bill. On behalf of the millions of voiceless Ethiopians, the Ethiopian Americans Council (EAC) would like to thank the two leaders for standing up for justice, democracy and human rights.

The vote has reassured us, the Ethiopian Americans, that our elected officials in the House are accountable only to their constituencies not to some high-powered lobbyists.

Now that the bill passed the House, it is time to focus our attention on the Senate. It is imperative that a well-coordinated and systematic approach is taken to persuade our Senators to back this bill. Building a strong grass-roots base will be the key to success.

Ethiopian Americans Council!