The Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement that the US Ambassador Ervin Massinga’s speech on policy and human rights contained "allegations" and "unsolicited advice."
"The statement is ill advised and contains uniformed assertions. It is contrary to the historic and friendly relations between Ethiopia and the United States," the ministry said.
The ministry added that it would work with the US Embassy to correct the "errors and inconsistencies" in his statements.
The ambassador's speech came as he visited the American Gibbi, also known as the American Compound or Palace, a symbol of American friendship with Ethiopia, in the capital Addis Ababa, on Wednesday.
In his comments, Massinga said that "harassing those who criticize the government will not resolve those issues that must be addressed" and that "the political dialogue the Ethiopians need could be helped by releasing key political figures."
The envoy also said that "all armed actors are playing a role in driving human suffering, including new population displacements across the country."