During the meeting, Ato Fasika Bellette presented the position of the Ethiopian Democratic Forces (UEDF) on the crisis by explaining as to why the border demarcation process does not address the root causes of the conflict and its inevitable failure to assure sustainable peace and stability in the region. Reiterating the UEDF's position stated in its press release of October 3, 2003, which was handed to both the offices of the Sub-committee for Africa and the International Relations Committee, Ato Fasika explained why UEDF opposes the Algiers Peace agreement and the decisions emanating from it.

Lt. Ayalsew Dessye on his part noted that when the boundary commission’s decision is implemented the people of Badame, Irob and Afar, will be forcibly estranged from their Ethiopian identity and subjected to violation of their fundamental human rights. As the implementation of the agreement never gave the chance to the inhabitants of these areas to express their views on the crises, they are bound to totally and irrevocably reject the demarcation process. Thus, rendering it ineffective. The people will not agree under any terms to leave the land where they and their ancestors have lived for generations. Lt. Alaysew emphasized that the Ethiopian people are in total support and solidarity with the plight of people of Badme, Irob, and Afar.

Wt. Meron Agonafer highlighted that the regime of Meles Zenawi and Isaiyas Afeworki have led their people into an avoidable two-year war that took away well over 100,000 lives, the death of tens of thousands of young and able bodied citizens. While she stressed that this catastrophe as well as the worsening of the AIDS pandemic and famine are primarily due to the regime's misguided policies, Ato Mesfin Mekonnen pointed out the deception carried out by the regime at various stages of the Ethio-Eritera conflict. Ato Mesfin said that the U.S. government should understand that Meles lied to the Ethiopian people by telling them that Ethiopia won a war and the vctory has been repeated on the diplomatic front with the Boundary commission's decision that awarded Badme to Ethiopia. In reality and when the truth finally came out, the Ethiopian people found out that was not the case.

All of the participants urged Congress not to pass a resolution linking U.S. aid to Ethiopia in relation to the implementation of the Algiers Agreement and the Hague based Ethio-Eritera boundary commission’s decision. The Ethiopian people should not be punished for the repeated failure of a government that it did not elect and does not support, they added.

On Friday (October 3, 2003) The United Ethiopian Democratic Forces (UEDF) and Ethiopian local Civic Organizations concluded a successful mass rally in Washington, D.C. Approximately at 11:00 well over a thousand Ethiopians, from all walks of life carrying the Ethiopian flag, converged in front of the United States Supreme Court to express their disapproval of the Algiers Peace Agreement and the subsequent decisions of the Hague-based Boundary Commission.

The protest rally started with chanting the following slogans: Meles Zenawi does not represent the Ethiopian people! US Congress do not stand against Ethiopia's national interest and security! US Congress, respect the rights of the Afar people to remain part of Ethiopia! US Congress, respect the rights of the people of Badme and Irob to remain part of Ethiopia! Ethiopia has historical and legal right for access to the Sea! The Afar coastland is part of Ethiopia! The Red sea is the natural border of Ethiopia! Without just and equitable settlement there will be no lasting peace in the region! The US congress must not impose the Algiers peace Agreement on the people of Ethiopia! US, stop supporting The Dictatorial regime of Meles Zenawi!

Dr. Mankelkilot, chairman of the organizing committee, addressed the rally. He called on those preset to give their unequivocal support to UEDF which is waging struggle to remove the EPRDF regime, a regime which has betrayed the nation again and again, including the latest betrayal of Ethiopia's national interest at the Algiers Peace agreement signed between Meles Zenawis' regime and Eritrea’s Isays Afeworki. He also informed the audience about the close support being given by civic organizations to the efforts of UEDF. Representing the organizing committee Ato Tiruneh Shailu addressed the rally while Dr. Getachew Metaferia read the English version UEDF's press release.

Around 12:15 A.M., the demostraters formed a long line to begin marching to the Reflective Pool located on 3rd and Constitution Avenue in front of the United States Capitol. Once the demonstrators arrived at the destination, the first speaker Ato Fasika Belete, Vice Chairman of UEDF addressed the gathering by highlighting the objective of the protest demonstration and calling on Ethiopians to reject the treasonous Algiers agreement and the subsequent decisions of The Hague boundary commission. He also called upon Ethiopians to give unwavering support for the newly formed front of 15 political organizations that is waging a peaceful struggle to bring about a fundamental change by removing the EPRDF regime and with its declared goals of bringing about a democratic, just and united Ethiopia. The next speaker, Dr. Bekele Molla, representing the civic organizations, made a moving speech. Col. Asnake Engida of the Abew Gubaye and Ato Yahones Hagos representing the Irob Community also addressed the audience present for the mass rally. Each speaker stressed the historical unity of the Ethiopian people, the current challenges facing the Ethiopian people under the dictatorial regime of the EPRDF, the ever urgent need to come to gather as one and wage an effective struggle to end the continuous humiliation and betrayal of Ethiopia by the Meles Regime.

The mass rally ended with concluding remarks made by Lieutenant Ayalsew Dessye Vice Secretary of UEDF. Lt. Ayalsew called on the people present to intensify their struggle along with UEDF. During the rally, Lieutenant Ayal-sew and Ato Fasika Bellette representing the UEDF, and W/z. Meron Agonafer and Mesfin Mekonen from the organizing committee met with congressional officers and relayed their concerns that the Algiers peace Agreement, border demarcation and delimitation process initiated under the terms of Algiers Peace Agreement would have far reaching consequences for the entire region.

Organizing Committee:

UEDF Members: Afar Revolutionary Democratic Unity Front (ARDUF), All Ethiopian Unity Party (AEUP), All Ethiopian Socialist Movement (MEISON), Council of Alternative Forces for Peace and Democracy (CAFPDE), Ethiopian Democratic Unity Party (EDUP), Ethiopian Democratic Union- Tehadiso- (EDU Tehadiso), Ethiopian Medhin Democratic Party (Medhin), Ethiopian National Unity Front (ENUF), Ethiopian People Federal Democratic Unity Party (Hibrehizb), Ethiopian Peoples Revolutionary Party (EPRP), Gambella People's United Democratic Front (GPUDF), Oromo National Congress (ONC), Oromo People's Liberation Organization (OPLO-IBSO), Southern Ethiopia Peoples' Democratic Coalition (SEPDC), Tigrian Alliance for National Democracy (TAND).

The United Ethiopian Civic Organizations: Moaanbesa, Ethiopian Democratic Action League (EDAL), Council of Concerned Nationals for Ethiopian Security, Ethiopian National Congress (ENC), International Solidarity of Tigrayans for Justice and Democracy, Union of Ethiopian Civic Organizations.