Monday, August 18, 2014

ONLF’s 30 Years Commemoration : (Quotes from ONLF Chairman) -MOO By Ahmed Abdi

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ONLF Chairman’s speech covered:
• The Formation of ONLF in 1984 and how the situation was that time
• Ethiopia forced ONLF to go to war even though they were not prepared for war.
• Ethiopian military are committing war crimes in Ogaden without international condemnation.
• ONLF warned oil corporations not to get involved in Ogaden genocide and will not accept any.
• ONLF is ready for comprehensive peace talks and Ethiopia should know that they cannot gain peace and stability through war.
ONLF Chairman Admiral Mohammed O. Osman
Ogaden National Liberation Front or ONLF is celebrating its 30th anniversary around the globe. Founded in August 15, 1984, the group has been campaigning to realize the ambitions of the Ogaden people for independence from Ethiopia. The Ogaden territory, is mainly inhabited by 7-8 million ethnic Somalis, a territory which still suffer the betrayal of Italian-British colonial rule after British handed over Ethiopia in 1954 without its population’s consent or the treaty between the British imperial rule and the Somali chiefs and elders.
ONLF was formed after the defeat of Somalia in the Ogaden war (1977-1978). The group were diplomatically active in several countries, period between early 1980s to 1990s before Tigray people’s Liberation Front (TPLF) toppled the former President of Ethiopia, the socialist military Dictator , Colonel MengistuHailemariam, with the help of Eritrean revolution, or Eritrean People’s Liberation Front.
In the 1991, ONLF established its offices throughout Ogaden territory for the first time since its formation as a political party, but were forced out by the TPLF after Ogaden’s democratically ever elected parliament in the Somali region’s history that survived only 2 years’ service in Ogaden , had overwhelmingly voted for referendum according to the Transitional Charter of the time.
Ethiopia, which is one of the most brutal and violent nation in Africa passed a law to unearth ONLF, by killing the mayors of the provinces and districts, assassinating religious scholars and prominent elders, arresting and detaining members of MPs. They sacked the first legitimate Somali Ogaden president and his vice-president and put them in jail.Then Ethiopia began to mull over the possibility of capturing highly positioned in the ONLF and its former chairman, Ibrahim AbdallahMah, which at least 100 civilians that provided his defense line martyred in Werder, Ogaden region in 1994.
ONLF which had no appetite at that time to go war with Ethiopia,had no other option rather than fighting to the last.
“Ethiopia’s Transitional Charter which was agreed by all nationalities stated that any nationality under its rule can ask for referendum up to succession from it, and that gave us hope.But when we demanded our rights to self-determination, the current Ethiopian regime declared a war on us, and forced us to enter with her a bloody war, which was not at our agenda. They knew the situation of our people after the collapse of Somalia and that we had limited guns and ammunition as well as resources, except the will to pursue our God-given rights to decide our fate”, reads ONLF chairman’s speech, Mohammed Omar Osman.
Despite being unprepared to counter the Ethiopian aggression on ONLF members, the group shut down all its offices when they understand the TPLF assassination plan and left behind them squarely to prepare for a longer, bloodier, and harder war with Ethiopian aggressive troops stationed in Ogaden region. A war of liberation that continues up to the present day.
“We were brooding about two options within a short time period : To surrender, which is to recede and vacuous or to resist the Ethiopian sordid ambition. We selected the latter, which was at that time the toughest decision ONLF has ever made”, Said Mr. Osman in his speech.
ONLF worked to establish their liberation army and organize a die-hard supporters that mobilize the Ogaden communities inside and outside of the Ogaden region.Within a short period ONLF forces engaged with the Ethiopian army and were triumphant in most battlefields, largely because our boys were fighting for a just cause and were well trained. ONLF are fighting in their country, they know the terrain and the people supported their cause whole heartedly.
“We were strengthened by our people’s dedication to their just cause. They are encouraging us to continue the armed struggle till Ogaden is liberated from Ethiopian occupation. They are supporting us to strengthen our fighting capabilities. We work inside and outside to mobilize, strengthen, and enhance our people. We are totally dependent on self-enrichment for the members within our society. And with God’s help we will pursue our policy based on self-reliance”. The Chairman said in his speech.
ONLF’s strong correlation with Ogaden population unnerved several times the Ethiopian regime. They assembled the elders and informed them to stop supporting ONLF and to bring out their sons who are in the ONLF military service or to meet the consequences. But their intimidation and punishment threat do not deter as more and more people are joining the Ogaden National Liberation Army (ONLA) voluntarily.
The Chairman mentioned that, Ethiopia by seeking help from existing traditional institutions in Ogaden region called for the first peace talks in 1998 which was held inside Ogaden. But Ethiopia’s deceitful plan was to persuade the negotiating team for ONLF to disarm itself, if they refuse to kill the delegation.
“When Ethiopia could not persuade us to disarm ourselves without meeting our demands, by telling us that we are part of Ethiopia and are not different from the rest of Ethiopia, they did not kill the negotiators only, but also undertook a policy of killing our officials, members and prominent persons from the entire society. It was the hardest time ONLF passed through and we succeeded to overcome.”
The Chairman’s speech was long. He mentioned present situation of the Front inside and outside. He also mentioned the present requirements to continue the struggle and how to thwart the Ethiopian Plots. He concluded by demanding from the International world and those who admire liberty and Justice to intervene in part of stopping Ethiopia’s scorched- earth-policy towards Ogaden people.
Finally, The Chairman called upon the International community to look for the Ogaden issue and ask Ethiopia to haltthe Ogaden genocide which is one of the worse in the World that is not covered. There are 100,000 refugees and displaced peoplein neighboring refugee camps and in Ogaden,but unfortunately, the mainstream media and diplomats won’t touch the story.
The chairman warned the oil corporations to get involved in Ogaden genocide by supporting Ethiopian government ethnic cleansing and terror to get their hands on the sizable oil reserves. ONLF and the Ogaden will not permit this till they exercise their God-given rights.
The chairman made clear that Ethiopia is not ready for comprehensive talks to end this conflict peacefully and will never succeed to end through war and genocide.
“ONLF’s door is open and ready to sit with Ethiopian government to resume the peace-talks in order to achieve peace, justice and stability in the Horn of Africa and to quit the blood-shed, therefore, we again call upon the international Community to do its responsibility for doing something about the Ethiopia’s problems in Ogaden region.”
 
 

Generation fearless of death and detention destroys mountains

By Firehiwot Guluma Tezera \ August 18, 2014
Firehiwot Guluma Tezera
Firehiwot Guluma Tezera
There is an Ethiopian saying “she lost what she has under her armpit while reaching for the upper shelf”. While this selfish individual tries to get hold of another, what she already has will be scattered. Lately in Habesha camp fear has spread and uneasiness has increased.
Soothing, warning, rebuking and some others were tried. Unfortunately they try to tell us that the source of their problem is the national struggle of the Oromo people. In reality the aim and goal of the struggle of the Oromo people is to get rid of authoritarian rulers and thus to achieve the right to self determination for the Oromo people based on international regulations and laws is fair. The importance of the struggle is not only for the Oromo people but for all the people of the empire who are suffering under the colonial rule. So the Oromo people trust in united struggle of oppressed people. It will and has been wedging joint struggle with forces with similar aim. In other ways Oromo people demonstrate peace in its cultural and administrational structure and supports fair unity. It helps the weak and stand for the oppressed. A good demonstration is the exemplary unity the different ethnic groups living in today’s Oromiya exhibit despite the numerous attempts by anti Oromo groups to create a rift between them.
As Oromo people in their social life and national struggle respect the rules of human rights and by any measure are not threats to neighboring and same region people, the fake information disseminated by groups wanting to re-instate the old system and tplf jointly and independently turns out to be false.
The truth has been illustrated at various times by different individuals. But as long as those Oromo-phobic individuals who could not understand it give in, we must show and teach them theoretically and by action how Oromo struggle has matured. Accordingly the Oromo struggle has come a long way and has reached a stage where it cannot be averted, even though they are not going to like it I would like to demonstrate by credible facts
  • By the sacrifice paid by its dear children Oromo people has been able to show to all world their country’s boundary and true history. By blood and bone of her children our country Oromiya will be respected till eternity. This is the reality.
  • The language and culture of Oromo people has been developing on solid foundation. Today Afan oromo has its own alphabets. Millions study, teach and do research by it. Medias with International audience broadcast by it. It has become language of literature. As this indicates that the struggle is nearing the end, we must take note.
  • The Oromo people struggle has arrived at the generation who doesn’t fear death and ready to sacrifice its dignity for the sovereignty of Oromia. This confirms all. As this reality is being seen on the ground, there is no need for further explanation.
  • The international community has not only understood but forced to look for solutions about the arbitrary killing of Oromo people. This is the fruit of relentless struggle. Even if you don’t like it you know the exact gist.
  • Today we have arrived at historical chapter where the Oromo people have demonstrated that they won’t crack by propaganda of anti Oromos and that they have stood together in union for a common goal. This cooperation between Oromo people has started to shake your power base giving you high blood pressure as demonstrated by the recent uprising.
  • As the Oromo national struggle consist of all options, Oromia mountains, valleys and forests are witnessing strong military preparation. Accordingly in May 2014 the Oromo Liberation Army has attached enemy soldiers and killed and wounded more than 200 soldiers. It has confiscated a lot of military equipments.
Overall Oromo people have scored important victories and is mobilizing it human and material resources to claim the rest of its rights. So are you trying to stop this visionary generation by imprisonment? Or trying to fool them by rebuking and fake words? To tell you the truth that era has passed. Let me help you realize the truth. You can’t stop them. This is because you can’t stop a generation with a cause. The better way is to drop the old eyeglass which twists the truth and straighten your views and live together.

May God help you.

Firehiwot Guluma Tezera



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