Ogaden rebels warn Malaysian firm against exploring oil

December 6, 2008 (ADDIS ABABA) — Ogaden rebels warned the Malaysian Petronas that they would not allow oil exploration in the Ethioia’s Somali region, a large state along the Somali border, said a press statement released today.

The Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) had attacked on April 24, 2007 a Chinese-owned oil exploration field in eastern Ethiopia on April 24. The rebels killed 65 Ethiopians and nine Chinese.

On Monday it was reported that Petronas would resume oil explorations in Ogaden region two years after the raid against the Chinese Sinopec.

The separatist group it would not allow the exploration of oil and gas as long as their region remains part of Ethiopia. They also added they would not tolerate the resumption of the activities of Petronas in the oil rich region.

“We urge Petronas to exercise corporate responsibility and steer clear of Ogaden so long as our people are victims of genocide and their rights to determine their own future are violently denied.” The statement said.

The Ethiopian authorities accuse Eritrea, with which they have a border conflict, of supporting the Ogaden rebels. But Eritrea dismisses the charge.

The ONLF is a rebel group fighting for the independence of ethnic Somalis living in the Ethiopia’s Ogaden region.

(ST)