ONLF Statement on Malaysian firm PETRONAS’ oil exploration in Ogaden
Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF)
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.