ONLF on troop build-up in Ogaden

ONLF Press Release

May 13, 2006

"Ethiopia has always been a mosaic of linguistic groups but it has no history of internecine conflict on the basis of ethnicity until the arrival of PM Meles and his party in 1991; who to the horror of many, and for the first time in the country’s long history imposed virulent ethno-centric policies including a wide ranging bantustanization of the country along ethnic lines aimed more at manipulation of differences rather than the promotion of ethnic equality." - CUDP-Kinijit, April 22, 2006

In July of last year, the ONLF positively responded to a public call for dialogue by the Ethiopian regime. We made clear that we were prepared to engage in direct talks with the Ethiopian regime in a neutral country provided that an internationally recognized entity mediated the talks. Soon after our announcement the EPRDF embarked on a dual strategy of falsely informing various governments that talks were underway while secretly planning a military solution.

This buildup has already resulted in steadily increasing armed clashes between our respective forces with ethnic Somalis being harrassed, detained and in some cases killed by Ethiopian troops merely for being suspected of being ONLF sympathizers.

Captured Ethiopian government troops have indicated that they were the first wave of a three Month offensive using mainly ethnic tigrayan troops executing an executive order by Ethiopia's Prime Minister, Melez Zenawi.

By its military buildup, the EPRDF led Ethiopian regime has made clear to the Somali people of Ogaden that it is not interested in finding a comprehensive political settlement to the Ogaden dispute through peaceful dialogue and instead has chosen armed aggression.

This armed assault on the Somalis of Ogaden who are already victims of a drought warrants immediate international intervention to avert widespread conflict throughout the Ogaden.

As in the past, the excercise of this military option will prove futile as the resolve of the Somali people of Ogaden for self-determination will only be strengthened.

The ONLF wishes to reaffirm that we are prepared to engage in direct talks with the Ethiopian regime in a neutral country provided that an internationally recognized entity is present to mediate the talks with no preconditions placed on the talks by either side.

We call on the international community to intervene in order to cease this escalating armed assault on the Somali people of Ogaden by the Ethiopian government.

Ogaden National Liberation Front (O.N.L.F)
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www.onlf.org