Unfolding Disaster in Oromia and Ogaden

The history of mankind had traversed through periods whereby terms such as, violation of human and democratic rights, suppression of peoples right and genocide were not sufficiently used to expose crimes against humanity. Today, the international communities has reached a stage where global campaign is being conducted against terrorism, regimes that abuse the rights of its subjects for the sake of peace, democracy and good governance. Legally recognized institutions of segregation of some groups are not being tolerated.

Today, the dire economic, social, human rights and political situation in Ethiopian in general and in Oromia, Ogaden and other oppressed nations in particular is one of the most dreadful in the world. Our peoples are being terrorized, harassed, intimidated and forced to leave their country in mass. Oromo and Ogadeni peoples are living in a state of fear and terror. Nobody is sure to go out of his/her home and come back alive and safely. Any Oromo and Ogadeni can be arrested from work place, on the road or at home simply because of their ethnic background. Ogadeni and Oromo women and girls are being raped. The lands of Oromo and Ogaden have been turned to big prisons and thousands of Oromos and Ogadenis are languishing in prisons without court trial for a long period. Our peoples are starving and international aid is not reaching them.

Oromo and Ogadeni peoples are being arrested and tortured, summarily executed and looted under the pretext of supporting or sympathizing Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) and Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) respectively. TPLF regime, instead of giving proper response to legitimate demands of peoples, has resorted to brutal methods and coercion to silence them. This is further exacerbating the political tension in the country; and our peoples, when denied peaceful opportunity to solve their problems, stand to fight for their inalienable rights to self-determination and democracy. The intransigent nature of TPLF regime in Addis Ababa and its use of every inhumane measure to crash the indomitable will and uprising of Oromo and Ogadeni peoples is not solving the political conflicts in the country but will lead to more confusion and chaos. Today almost all schools in Oromia and some parts of Ogadenia are closed. Students, teachers and parents are being arrested without any crimes committed. There is flagrant violation of Oromo and Ogadeni peoples' rights.

The international community particularly the West is not giving proper attention and consideration to the gross human rights abuse being committed by the TPLF regime. Rather they are giving Ethiopia economic and political support, which encourages Ethiopia to defy all international norms of respecting elementary human rights in Ogaden and Oromia. The international community should not only concentrate on the development in certain parts of the world and neglect equal or even more acute problems in relation of human rights situation and man made famine in Ethiopia. The plights of Oromo and Ogadeni people under the TPLF rule in Ethiopia should be given enough attention and necessary measures be taken to avert the unfolding human tragedy before it is too late.

All Ethiopian regimes in past and particularly the incumbent TPLF regime are not only violating human rights in Oromia and Ogaden but are de-stabilizing the Horn countries. Ethiopia is openly interfering in the internal affairs of Somalia by arming and supporting warlords that are against peace and stability of Somalia. The peace process of Somalia and all efforts to restore a sovereign Somali state is not materializing due to the blatant interference of Ethiopia in the affairs of that people. The TPLF regime openly refused to accept the international border commission decision between Eritrea and Ethiopia. Ethiopian armed forces on various occasions violated the territorial sovereignty of Kenya and killed innocent Kenyan citizens and looted properties. Recently Ethiopia army crossed into Sudanese territory and created tension and confusion. In short Ethiopia is the source of trouble and instability of the Horn countries. Such a regime does not deserve international support and recognition.

The whole Ethiopian empire is engulfed with chaos, persecution, and severe violation of democratic and human rights. Lawlessness and anarchy is widely spreading in the institution of the regime, including the army, security and police force. Corruption, looting of public and private property, mass imprisonment of its subjects, in fighting and mutiny of the armed forces is the order of the day. Soldiers are defecting both internally and to neighboring countries in big numbers. These are signs of a regime nearing to its collapse. Possible solutions and remedies should be sought in time before everything gets out of hand and the country turns to anarchy.

We, OLF and ONLF, condemn such horrendous and criminal acts of TPLF; and appeal to international peace loving community to put pressure on Ethiopia to quit all inhumane practices. We once more reiterate that economic aid to Ethiopia is being used for military and political purposes by the TPLF regime. Therefore, we ask the donors to closely monitor whether the aids given are going to the intended beneficiaries.

Unity is strength!
Freedom to all oppressed peoples!

Oromo Liberation Front
Ogaden National Liberation Front

Source: www.biddho.com

Posted on Friday 30th April at 8:17:42