Ogaden ONLF reiterates adherence to opposition alliance

June 15, 2006 — On the 21st of May, 2006 the Ogaden National
Liberation Front (ONLF) entered into a bold new
alliance with the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF), the
Ethiopian People’s Patriotic Front (EPPF), The Sidama
Liberation Front (SLF) and the Coalition for Unity &
Democracy Party (CUDP) to form the Alliance for
Freedom & Democracy (AFD).

The alliance represents the hopes and aspirations of
millions of men, women and children who have for far
too long been denied their inalienable rights to forge
their own future based on the principles of mutual
respect, tolerance, justice, freedom and democracy.

The Somali people of Ogaden have suffered immeasurably
under successive regimes and the EPRDF led minority
regime currently in power is no exception. In Ogaden,
extra judicial killings of Somalis, arbitrary
detention and other forms of EPRDF directed repression
is commonplace.

The Ogaden has very few schools, no significant
infrastructure to speak of and armed militias
sponsored by the EPRDF regime regularly intimidate and
sometimes execute innocent civilians.

Traditional commerce between Ogaden and Somalia, a
lifeline for our people, is routinely and deliberately
interrupted by EPRDF troops creating widespread
economic hardship for our people.

Humanitarian assistance for the victims of drought in
Ogaden are often sold on the black market by EPRDF
military officers seeking to profit from high food
prices.

Where gas and oil exploration projects are planned by
the minority EPRDF regime, civilians are relocated
against their will and without compensation. These
forced resettlements exacerbate inter-clan conflicts
among pastoralists as competition for grazing land and
wells often turn deadly.

The EPRDF minority regimes has also used the Ogaden to
train militias and smuggle weapons for Somali warlords
in clear violation of the UN arms embargo put in place
fueling armed conflict in Somalia and contributing to
political instability in the entire region.

Despite public statements by the EPRDF regime
indicating that it was prepared to engage in direct
discussions with the ONLF, the regime has deliberately
avoided seeking a comprehensive and lasting political
settlement to the Ogaden crisis choosing to ignore a
path of peace through dialogue and instead pursuing a
futile military solution which has resulted in
widespread suffering among the people of Ogaden.

Last month, the minority EPRDF regime deployed
thousands of troops to the Ogaden in a bid to
eliminate by force the ONLF and persecute those
suspected of being ONLF sympathizers. This new
military assault on the people of Ogaden is currently
ongoing with civilian casualties mounting.

Deserting EPRDF troops have indicated to the ONLF that
this redeployment is part of a three month offensive
seeking to also secure areas identified for future oil
and gas exploration.

The AFD has the potential to represent a different
path. One which is based on mutual respect and a
recognition that force cannot quell the aspirations of
the people to determine their own future. It is in
that regard that the ONLF urges the international
community to support the AFDs call for an all
inclusive conference aimed a reaching a just and
comprehensive political settlement.

The ONLF joins the other members of the alliance in
overcoming the challenges that have prevented us from
working together. We stand ready to play our role in
ensuring that the politics of hate and suspicion will
be replaced with the politics of tolerance, mutual
respect and cooperation to forge a brighter future for
all concerned.