UWSLF’s Ogaden warns oil firms over dealing with Ethiopia

April 25, 2006 — The United Western Somali Liberation Front (UWSLF) which is political and armed organization dedicated for the right and freedom of Western Somali (Ogaden) has recently learnt the Ethiopian authorities illegitimate measures for an international bid for the development of the Calub and Hilala gas fields in Western Somali and took steps of short listing some international companies from China , Malaysia , India, Russia and Middle East to be granted an oil exploration licenses.

Ethiopia is trying to exploit the natural resources of Western Somali (Ogaden) whom has no the basic human rights under its rule as they suffer a severe drought for the last five years added to the oppressive and brutal practices by its soldiers against the people of Western Somali.

The UWSLF declares in this statement an ultimate warning to all companies submitted their interest on gas fields in Western Somali as we call on all those companies to halt this deal with Ethiopia which has no the right of granting such contract because it has occupied this territory by force and it is colonial rule upon the people of western Somali who expressed their opposition to the existing Ethiopian rule in many ways as they continued to fight against occupying Ethiopian troops until now.

Further more We note that there is ongoing fighting against the occupying Ethiopian troops in Western Somali and the liberation forces operate actively in most of rural areas and their military offensives also extended to the urban settlements.

Any company which neglects this warning can fully responsible the consequences of its act and should be considered apart in a harmful deal against the national interest of the people of Western Somali.

Foreign Relations Office

UWSLF