Ethiopia: Somali rebel factions declare a shift to work for peace, dev’t

By Tesfa-Alem Tekle

August 5, 2010 (ADDIS ABABA) — The Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) and the United Western Somali Liberation Front (UWSLF) have vowed to engage themselves in developmental activities, for the prevalence of peace of the country in general and to the people of Somali state in particular.

The two fronts had previously reached an agreement with the central government to stop their state of insurgency and make a definitive shift from their former position and abide by the constitution for a peaceful struggle.

Last week, a peace accord in the context of the twenty year old separatist conflict in eastern Ethiopia has been signed between representatives of the Ethiopian government and rebel leaders of the United Western Somali Separatist Liberation Front (UWSLF).

According to the official Ethiopia Radio and Television, Leaders of The Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) and the United Western Somali Liberation Front (UWSLF) yesterday held consultations with the public in Ethiopia’s Eastern town of Jijiga.

UWSLF Chairman, Sheik Ibrahim Ahmed Hussein on the occasion said the attained progress opens a new chapter in the Somali region. He pledged that his group will work for the peace, security and development of the region along with the government of Ethiopia.

Abdulahi Mohammed expressed regret over disrupting the peace and security of the region for two decades. He said the Somali region would have registered a much better growth if the recent agreement had been reached some years back.

Another of the leaders, Tahir Ahmed for his part expressed intent to consult with residents of his birthplace, Degehabur about the fate of the Somali region.

Representatives of both fronts said they will hold series of similar consultations with Somali communities across the region on ways how to closely cooperate for the better of the region.

Last week after peace accord was signed wirh UWSLF, the Ethiopian government called on other factions to follow Front’s footsteps further expressing readiness to work closely and reach agreement with other parties willing to operate peacefully and abide by the constitution.

(ST)