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ONLF denies the reported alliance with Somali opposition

Posted on by Elias Kifle

ONLF PRESS RELEASE
June 9, 2007

The Voice of America (VOA) recent report citing unnamed sources alleging that Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) has entered into a coalition with political entities in Somalia is far from reality and well within the realm of fantasy. For nearly two decades, the TPLF regime has been engaged in an deliberate effort to misrepresent our struggle to the international community in a bid to divert attention from the legitimate grievances of the people of Ogaden. This misrepresentation has included efforts to portray the ONLF as a religious organization instead of a nationalist organization and TPLF statements aimed at leaving the impression that the scope of our military operations extend beyond Ogaden.

The ONLF wishes to make clear to the international community that we are not, have not been and will not be a party to the ongoing conflict in Somalia as a matter of policy and principle. In that regard, the ONLF is not, has not been and will not be a part of any coalition with political groups in Somalia. The only coalition that the ONLF is a proud member of is the Alliance for Freedom & Democracy (AFD).

The foundation of the ONLF policy toward Somalia is that Somalia should be left to the Somalis and that the Ethiopian army should immediately and without condition, pull its troops out of Somalia. The TPLF regime will have to face the reality that they must deal with the legitimate representatives of the people of Ogaden and abandon their failed military strategy in Ogaden and ongoing brutal crackdown against our civilian population. The TPLF must accept direct talks with the ONLF in a neutral country and in the presence of a third party arbiter with no pre-conditions placed on either side if there is ever to be a just, comprehensive and lasting solution to the conflict between the people of Ogaden and successive Ethiopian governments.

The TPLF must also accept the call for an all inclusive conference made by the member organizations of the Alliance for Freedom & Democracy (AFD)

Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF)

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URL of Voice of America Report : http://www.voanews.com/english/2007-06-08-voa39.cfm

4 thoughts on “ONLF denies the reported alliance with Somali opposition”

  1. that doesn’t mean they are part of Ethiopian opposition forces. They are part of Alliance for Democracy and Freedom of (Ethiopia, Ogandenia, Oromia, Somalia?) who knows.

  2. “Ogandenia” . . . what a worthless dream!! The idea that Ogaden region has a slight potential for crude oil productions in the future does not warrant that the nomads in the area should gather together and fight for independence !! The is the result of pure ignorance combined with greed and stupidity!!

    If I hold the power in Ethiopia, you will be a plain history in few months. I think you have to be very grateful to TPLF that you are still alive and you are still able to maintain few fighters in my territory.

    Asefa

  4. @Moe, I just saw a video of the so called ONLF “fighters” and the leader of the gang was explaining why he stood against the Ethiopian army. He said “because there are no schools in our area, this is why we started fighting!” I don’t think it will change any thing if the govn’t starts a “school-on-wheels” in the Somali regions for it is very clear that ONLF is powered by Eritrea in their wish to weaken Ethiopia.

    It is also easy to remember that Eritrea has been a part of Ethiopia for centuries, is now an independent country due to a mistake done by a weak hearted and gullible individualsl like you, who try to “see” the “positive” side of division between people. Since its independence, Eritrea has been mostly like a cancer to Ethiopia and it will probably be the same in the future.
    It it will be a clear stupidity to any Ethiopian govn’t to not take a strong measure against any divisive forces in the country.

    A

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