The widely reported tension between the EPRDF and OLF ever since the new government came to power turned to armed conflict last month. In a broadcast statement the EPRDF gave warning to the OLF that “a point has been reached where a choice has to be made between peace and war.” The EPRDF accused the OLF of instigating armed conflicts and engaging in economic sabotage, armed robbery and other subversive activities during the last nine months. The EPRDF also charged that the OLF has planned to form an independent Oromia government.

The OLF says the EPRDF is improperly using its responsibility for the security of the country, as agreed during the July 1 Conference, to try and extend its political influence into the south. “They have closed our offices and arrested our members,” OLF deputy secretary general Lencho Letta told Reuter.

The EPRDF also reported that it foiled a joint offensive launched by the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) and the Islamic Front for the Liberation of Oromo (IFLO) on the town of Harer. Samora Yunus, transitional government commander of the Eastern Command of the Army, said that the two organizations staged the attack from Fedis Wereda and Boko localities.

Telecommunications between the capital city of Addis Abeba and Harer and other towns in the Eastern Ethiopia are reportedly inoperative. The traffic between the cities of Harer, Dre Dawa, Asseb and Addis Abeba has been virtually cut off following the destruction of a major bridge by OLF. Supply trucks have been stranded, and the delivery of relief supplies to refugee camps and drought-stricken areas will be stalled for some time, according to local authorities. Rail transport between Addis Abeba and Djibouti and relief shipments to the starving population in the southeast has been blocked by fighting.

Since the formation of the transitional government, the two sides have had differences over such issues as self-determination, regional and local elections and political and military power sharing.

The United States, the World Bank and other donors have threatened to cut off assistance to Ethiopia unless the government ensured security and stability.