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VOA interviews OLF leaders on the leadership split

Posted on , Updated on by Elias Kifle

VOA’s Amharic program has interviewed leaders of the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF), Dr Bayan Asoba and Ato Lencho Batti, on the leadership split. Click below to listen [forward to 33:00].

[podcast]http://www.ethiopianreview.info/audio/voa_08052008a.mp3[/podcast]

10 thoughts on “VOA interviews OLF leaders on the leadership split”

  1. I strongly agree with the points made by Mr. Lencoo. However, the change that is being requested is not fundamental enough to justify the unconstitutional move by his group. The question is of efficiency and effectiveness only. The vision is what actually defines OLF, so who ever leads the struggle and how, OLF remains OLF.

    Rather the formal support by the so called ‘pro-unity’ websites and individuals to the ‘new OLF leadership group’ may jeopardise possible and probably more needed cooperation with the other group. And it is unwise to take side on an issue which is internal to OLF. Expressing support to one means rejecting the other without knowing the consequence.

    God Bless Ethiopia

  3. It is about time the current OLF leadership got shook up and change their ineffective form of struggle, stop living in the past and being afraid of their own shadow and start fighting for the rights of the Oromo and all Ethiopians. How can one justify that the organization that respresents the largest ethnic group in Ethiopia doesn’t fight as hard for the rights of Ethiopian people as hard as the ONLF, EPPF and TPDM? If that doesn’t wake up the current leadership of the OLF then what should, now that they are challenged by genuine Ethiopians within the organization they are all over the media defending their stay in power, that is one good reason for the need for shake up and new blood to lead this ineffective organization.

  4. As an Oromo Ethiopian, I wish to applaud both Dr. Bayan and Mr. Lencho for a civilized political discourse they demonstrated on the interview. Dr. Bayan referred to his opponents as brothers who are misguided but never questioned their intent. Ato Lencho also said that the discourse is the result of many years frustration, trial and tribulation by the enemy – and most of all the ever growing repression against the Oromo by Woyane.

    Both groups have the Oromo cause at heart – and despite the wishes of Woyane and others who wish demise to OLF including Woyane proxy websites such as Ethiomedia, who would like to see the disintegration of OLF, the two groups expressed their tactial vision for achieving the legitimate and rightful place for the Oromo people in the democratic republic of Ethiopia.

    They both agree this can only be achieved on the grave of the fascistic Woyane who have killed, jailed and persecuted hundreds and thousands of Oromos during their 18 years of tyranny.

  5. the effectiveness of the change that can take the opreesed oromo ppl and the chenge to bring dimocrassy in ethiopia is the will and wish of us haw ever to stabelish the real democrasy in that kind of dictetorial state the firest step is to destroy the arogent selfish unwise old school polotician tho i dont see much of the difference in both mens intervew

    should the new idea of change previl
    much neded

  7. dont worry …these people r capable of solving their differences in a way that helps the organisation to be more stronger than ever .Some times some divisions could help to understand the advantage of unity.Victory for OLf…victory for the oromo people

  8. it’s a time for 3to4 decade leaders to look back and relaize what sould have done should the split and shook up withn organaizetion treat their power?
    they shulden”t give a benefit of doubt for next generetions if they can afford to weaken it more it”s time to go good by

    if we dont unite it is another day for woyane

    victory for oromo people
    change we need and beleve in

  9. Those who advocate for change have to focus on the enemy to step-up the Oromo revolution to bringabout real freedom for Oromos and then for others in the Empire.The most significant thing to do is to unite all Oromo political organizations and listen to hearts and minds of our people to lead a true and well esablished unity to fight against Wayne.After this reality, all Oromos will join the so called fundamenta change.

  10. For the last many decades, this one time blessed country ‘ethiopia’ witnesed a number of ethnic oriented and power thirsty leaders. But the leaders are not alone. Quite often than not,they have had right hand supporters both among the ordinary as well as educated people who sing the same song as their leaders. When I say leaders, it also include those who chair and run a certain political party such as the OLF,CUD, and what not. Is Ethiopia made of only Oromos, Amharas and Tigres ? It is very rediculous if , you , the advocates of these tribes believe so. Why don’t we start to think in a rational way? Why don’t we try to bring the ‘good old days back’when all ethiopian ehenic groups live and work together and creat the New Ethiopia.

    Lets forget these worth destroying parties as the OLF, CUD, EPRDF, and start to build the one and only one Ethiopia under one big umbraella.

    God bless our country.

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