Abiy Ahmed’s latest genocidal incitement to "eliminate enemies like lice”

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December 9th, 2025

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed delivered a nationally televised address on December 8, 2025, during the 20th Ethiopian Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples’ Day celebration in Hossana, where he declared that Ethiopia will eliminate its enemies “one by one, like lice.” The remark has sparked widespread concern, with critics calling it Abiy’s latest act of genocidal incitement and alleging that his comparison of perceived opponents to “lice” constitutes clear dehumanizing rhetoric, language historically used to justify mass violence against targeted communities.

Interview Transcript:

"Ethiopia is a country showing tremendous initiatives and accomplishments. A country showing results and on the rise.

Even though this great beginning is being supported by God, it's also being tested day and night by Satan.

What I want to assure the people of Ethiopia again, here from Hosanna, is that no amount of challenges, provocation, or evil wishes will stop Ethiopia from achieving prosperity.

We will convert every challenge into an opportunity and use it to speed up Ethiopia's prosperity, strengthen Ethiopia's unity, and eliminate Ethiopia's enemies one by one, like lice."

Full Speech from State Media: https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=3B-hW23csr7N_Dkp&v=kRO9gExP1DU&feature=youtu.be