O.N.L.F Statement On Renewed EPRDF/TPLF Violence
Against Somalis In Ogaden

October 31st, 2005


Ethiopian government troops have stepped up military operations and acts of violence and harassment directed at Somali civilians in Ogaden in recent months. EPRDF/TPLF political operatives have been positioned in key towns in Ogaden to direct a campaign targeting suspected Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) 'sympathizers' and members of civil society groups opposed to the regime.

In total over 30 Somali civilians have been killed by Ethiopian troops and security personnel in Ogaden since the so-called regional ‘elections’ on August 21 with over a hundred Somalis having gone missing during the same time period. A large number of innocent civilians continue to languish in jails in Jigjiga and Godey, the capital of Ogaden, simply because of their political views.

The EPRDF/TPLF regime has also stepped up military operations in Ogaden demonstrating a clear lack of desire to finding a comprehensive political settlement to the longstanding dispute between the Somali people of Ogaden and successive Ethiopian governments.

While the ONLF has been clear on its willingness to reach a comprehensive political settlement to the  Ogaden dispute through peaceful dialogue in a neutral country and in the presence of an independent third party, there should be no doubt by the EPRDF/TPLF regime that the ONLF will take all necessary steps to defend our people from this renewed violent assault on their human and political rights.

The ONLF calls upon Human Rights organizations and members of the International Community to investigate this renewed violence in Ogaden designed to intimidate ethnic Somalis and broaden armed conflict in the region.

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Ogaden National Liberation Front (O.N.L.F)
onlfpress@onlf.org
http://www.onlf.org

 

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