OLF calls upon Ethiopian army to follow Gen. Kamal’s example

August 11, 2006 — The Oromo Liberation Front has been diligently agitating and organizing Oromos of all walks of life to participate in the national liberation struggle. As a result, Oromo national awareness and identity has reached an irreversible stage. All sectors of society are now following the leadership of the OLF. The non violent civilian disobedience of the Oromo people, that started in November 2005 and the present pulling out of Oromo officers and soldiers from the Ethiopian army in a coordinated and organized manner is a concrete evidence for the relentless activities of the OLF among people.

The EPRDF regime is daily complicating and deepening the political crisis of the country. This regime does not have the capacity or the willingness to resolve these intricate and complex political problems of Ethiopia. Political power is concentrated in the hand of the minority Tigrean elites. National oppression particularly on the Oromo people has escalated. Dissent, dissatisfaction, and division on various issues are wide spread through out all sectors of government. The regime is using the scarce resources of the country for military purpose, while millions are starving or dieing of curable diseases. Any sane person understands that it is crime against humanity to work for such regime. This is why the OLF called in Brigadier General Kamal Gelchu, Colonel Abbabe Gerasu and several hundreds of Oromo soldiers to leave the Ethiopian army and joint the Oromo national liberation struggle. Oromos of Ethiopia are responding to the call of their organization, the OLF. This is just the beginning, not the end.

This historic and heroic action taken by General Kamal Gelchu and his group, will set an example for the Amhara, Sidama, Somali and other oppressed peoples nationals in the Ethiopian army. It is time for all peace-loving organizations, individuals and groups to stop serving the EPRDF regime. Such an action will also consolidate and objectives the AFD. The Alliance for Freedom and Democracy (AFD) is formed with primary objectives to tackle the complicated and immense political problem of Ethiopia. Tolerance, with understanding of each other’s differences to embark on resolving the chronic political crisis that is consuming the fabrics of the country should be the guiding principles for all organizations, groups and individuals.

Hence, the OLF calls upon all Oromo nationals and others to make timely decision to intensify their struggle against this repressive and tyrannical regime. Particularly those in the armed forces of the EPRDF regime should make bold and decisive action to save the country from the looming disaster. The beginning of the end of the EPRDF regime should be accelerated for freedom, justice, equality and peace to prevail soon.

Victory to the Oromo People!!