UNPO Calls for the Release of Abducted ONLF Leaders and Urges Ethiopia and Kenya to Resume Peace Talks

Brussels, 11 February 2014 - The Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization (UNPO) calls on the Ethiopian and Kenyan Governments to disclose the whereabouts of the two abducted senior members of the Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF), Mr. Sulub Ahmed and Mr. Ali Hussein. The UNPO also urges relevant authorities to release the two men and guarantee their safety and security. The heinous extra-territorial abductions present a complete disregard for international law, Universal Declaration of Human Rights, African Union human rights law and state sovereignty.

On Sunday 26 January 2014, Mr. Ahmed and Mr. Hussein, who were in Nairobi for a Kenyan-brokered third round of peace talks between the ONLF and the Ethiopian Government, were abducted after leaving a restaurant in Nairobi at approximately 15:00 East Africa time. The two men were attacked and subdued by two security officers and four other individuals, who sought the help of guards and other civilian bystanders in the vicinity falsely claiming that they were apprehending Al-Shabaab members. It is believed that they were transported to Moyale, a town on the border of Ethiopia and Kenya, where a helicopter took them to an unknown destination.

Although the identities of the two security officers remain unconfirmed, this is not the first time that formal peace negotiations were disrupted by unlawful killings or abductions of ONLF delegates. Previously, in 1998, the Ethiopian military executed three and kidnapped two members of the ONLF members engaged in bilateral negotiations with the Ethiopian Government. The 2012 negotiations presented a glimmer of hope for the ONLF to effectively mediate the long-standing Ogaden conflict, but Ethiopian Government officials assassinated a senior ONLF leader, further stalling diplomatic efforts.

In light of recent international law and human rights violations, UNPO calls upon the international community to pressure Ethiopian and Kenyan to re-commit to peaceful dialogue with ONLF and adopt all necessary measures to ensure the viable renewal of diplomatic negotiations, including refraining from any actions, which may disrupt discussions. 

The abduction of Mr. Ahmed and Mr. Hussein may hamper new negotiation initiatives as it represents a breach of confidence. UNPO, therefore, also implores the Kenyan Government to remain a neutral party, facilitate any investigations into the abductions, provide any necessary assistance regarding the return of the abductees and ensure the proper administration of justice. 

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