OROMO LIBERATION FRONT

Press Release

The current conflict in Somalia can lead to a
regional catastrophe.

The Oromo Liberation Front views the current skirmish
between the armed forces of the Somalia’s Union of
Islamic Courts and the Ethiopian regime with a grave
concern. The skirmish unless contained as a matter of
urgency could engulf the Horn of Africa region with
devastating consequences. The Horn of Africa is one
of the poorest regions of the world and a senseless war,
without any doubt, will only exacerbate the disastrous
economic, social and political situations created by
decades of ethnic oppression, armed conflicts, and drought.

The Oromo people share long historical ties with the
people of Somalia. We are mindful that the people of
Somalia have lived without a central government for
the past 16 years and we value their efforts to rebuild
their country. We believe that the people of Somalia must
be supported in a positive manner acceptable to t
hem to rebuild their country and shape their future.
On the other hand, we consider the interference in the
internal affairs of Somalia by the regime of Ethiopia
and others to be totally irresponsible. Meles Zenawi’s
interference in the volatile situation in Somalia is not
only a futile attempt to divert attention from his regime’s
abhorrent dictatorship and human rights abuses it is
inflicting on Oromos and other people in Ethiopia, but
also a dangerous manoeuvre that will have longstanding
negative consequences for peace in Northeast Africa as
a whole.

Oromia shares a considerable length of border with Somalia.
We are seriously concerned that the war between Ethiopia and
Somalia would cause further suffering of the Oromo and other
peoples, and instability in the region. The Ethiopian regime
will yet again squander the resource of Oromia that it
controls illegally on its war effort and will send young
Oromo conscripts as cannon fodders just as it did in its
war against Eritrea in 2000.

The Oromo people will gain nothing from the war between
Ethiopia and Somalia and therefore must refrain from
collaborating with the Ethiopian regime in the war effort.
On the contrary, we call up on the Oromo people to remain
focussed on the national liberation struggle to liberate
Oromia from Ethiopian colonization.

We would like to remind all involved in the ongoing
conflict in Somalia to show restraint and give diplomacy
a chance to resolve differences. We would also like to
express our concerns to the international community about t
he looming disaster and urge them to stop the harmful
involvement of the Ethiopian regime in Somalia’s internal
political affairs.

Oromia shall be free!

Oromo Liberation Front
29th November 2006