Ogaden rebels renew call for talks with Ethiopian govt

Mat 12, 2006 (ADDIS ABABA) — The rebel Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) renewed its call to the Ethiopian government to engage peace talks; it also urged the international community to condemn the military build un the region.

In a press statement the ONLF said that thousands of Ethiopian government troops have been pouring into Ogaden in recent weeks in what clearly signals a rejection of the pursuit of peace through dialogue and the broadening of armed conflict in the region.

In July of last year, the ONLF positively responded to a public call for
dialogue by the Ethiopian regime. The rebel group expressed readiness to engage in direct talks with the Ethiopian government in a neutral country provided that an internationally recognized entity mediated the talks.

This buildup has already resulted in steadily increasing armed clashes between our respective forces with ethnic Somalis being harassed, detained and in some cases killed by Ethiopian troops merely for being suspected of being ONLF sympathizers, the statement said

This military buildup indicates that the ruling EPRDF party has that it is not interested in finding a comprehensive political settlement to the Ogaden dispute through peaceful dialogue and instead has chosen armed aggression.

The rebel ONLF urged the international community to intervene to avert widespread
conflict throughout the Ogaden reminding that Somalis of Ogaden who are already victims of a drought

As in the past, the exercise of this military option will prove futile as the resolve of the Somali people of Ogaden for self-determination will only be strengthened.

(ST)