July 24th 2005

O.N.L.F Statement on Malaysian Firm PETRONAS’ Oil Exploration in Ogaden


The Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) notes with grave concern recent reports that the Ethiopian government will soon issue an oil exploration license to the Malaysian owned Petroliam Nasional Bhd (PETRONAS) to search for crude oil in Ogaden. Petronas has been analyzing geological data from Ogaden since last year and is seeking an exploratory license following positive data results.

The ONLF wishes to make clear to PETRONAS and the Ethiopian government that so long as the people of Ogaden are denied their undeniable right to self-determination, the exploitation of natural resources in Ogaden for the benefit of the Ethiopian regime or any foreign firm will not be tolerated.

We call on PETRONAS to cease and desist from its activities in Ogaden until such time that a legitimate form of self-government exists in Ogaden. The ONLF wishes to make clear to PETRONAS that the Ethiopian government is not in effective control of Ogaden and therefore is in no position to be issuing licenses of any kind for natural resources exploration. We further wish to note that there is currently an armed conflict waging in Ogaden between Ethiopian troops and ONLF liberation forces resulting in an unsafe environment for any exploration to occur.

The ONLF also calls on the government of Malaysia to take note of the situation in Ogaden and encourage PETRONAS to cease activities until such time it is able to engage with the true representatives of the people of Ogaden.


Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF)
foreign@onlf.org




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