8/17/2020 CONTACT US [email protected]

OLLAA CRITICALLY CONCERNED ABOUT HEALTH OF ​

Oromo Legacy Leadership and Advocacy Association

Falls Church, Virginia – the Oromo Legacy Leadership and Advocacy Association (OLLAA) has responded to this morning’s reports of a deterioration in Jawar Mohammed’s health. His sister, who spoke to Media Network (OMN), has stated that Jawar is unable to speak to her, his face and arms have swollen, he cannot walk, and he has not been allowed to seek medical attention.

“OLLAA is exceptionally concerned about the path in which Prime Minister is taking the country and the situation in is becoming more dire by the day,” said Seenaa Jimjimo, OLLAA Executive Director. “We call upon the international community to immediately verify the safety and wellbeing of Mr. Jawar Mohammed and all other political prisoners who are being kept in various facilities around the country, including improvised, unofficial, and undeclared facilities, such as schools and stadiums, that are infested with COVID-19.”

Jimjimo added, “Mr. Jawar Mohammed has a large following and support base in the Oromo community in Ethiopia and elsewhere around the world, including in the United States. Questions regarding his safety and wellbeing have the potential to undermine peace and stability in Ethiopia. As such, OLLAA calls on the Ethiopian government to immediately provide information regarding the state of Mr. Jawar Mohammed’s health to both his family and the public, and to allow Mr. Jawar Mohammed to seek medical attention.”

Several human rights organizations, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have ​ ​ ​ released gravely concerning reports in recent days about the treatment of political prisoners and the conditions in which they are kept. According to these reports, most prisoners have not been brought to court and their whereabouts are unknown.

The Oromo Legacy Leadership and Advocacy Association (OLLAA) is an umbrella organization that ​ represents five dozen Oromo communities around the world.

Oromo Legacy, Leadership and Advocacy Association ​ 800 W. Broad St. 100 #263, Falls Church, VA, 22040 www.ollaa.org