The Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) strongly condemns the sentencing of the leaders of the Coalition for Unity & Democracy (CUD) member of the Alliance for Freedom & Democracy (AFD)to life imprisonment. Both the arrest and the sentencing of the duly elected leaders of the CUD were illegitimate
and politically motivated.

The Tigray Peoples Liberation Front (TPLF) regime currently in power in Ethiopia has determined that change, even through the ballot box, is unacceptable as far as it is concerned. The TPLF regime by virtue of this act has sent a clear signal to the international community that it will not tolerate any form of effective opposition.

The ruling by the TPLF controlled court represented a gross miscarriage of justice and coupled with the current war crimes taking place in Ogaden, clearly demonstrates the brutality and desperation of the TPLF regime.

The ONLF calls upon donor nations in particular to recognize that the current political dispensation in Ethiopia is unsustainable and unjust. Only through a comprehensive and all inclusive dialogue called for by the AFD can the aspirations of the people be realized.

The ONLF stands in solidarity with the CUD during this period and with our other alliance partner organizations in the AFD.