H/Dn ABO, Jaal Dhugaasaa Bakakkoo, Guyyaa Yaadannoo Goototaa ilaalchisanii Ibsa kennan

Source: www.oromoliberationfront.info

H/Dn ABO, Jaal Dhugaasaa Bakakkoo, Ebla 15 -Guyyaa Gootota Oromoo - ilaalchisanii manaa PalTalk “Oromiyaa Oromoo” jedhamu irratti Ebla 26, 2008 ibsa balia’aa kennaan. Haasaa isaanii keessatti , H/Dn, seenaa goototaa Oromoo erga xuxxuqanii booda ABOn Ebla 15 maaliif akka Guyyaa Goototaa jehdee moggaasee kabajuuf murteesse ibsanii jiru.

Walgahii kana irratti Oromoonni 120 ol ta’an qooda fudhachuun gaaffii addaddaa kaasaanii deebii gahaa argatanii jiru. Gaaffii fi deebii godhamee kana keessa olola maqaa xureessii gandda keessa isaan irratti oofamaa jiru tokko-tokko gaafatamanii ololli kun gonkumaa dhara (soba) ta’uu isaa dubbatanii jiru.

Dhaggeeffachuuf: Real media ykn Windows media

Oromos and Sidamas Unite, Forging Kushitic Unity against Abyssinian Tyranny

Dr. Muhammad Shamsaddin Megalommatis

April 14, 2008

Determined to outmaneuver the evil Abyssinian projects for fratricide disputes between the equally oppressed and tyrannized Oromos and Sidamas, two leading fronts and organizations struggling for the liberation of the two historical Kushitic nations, the Sidama National Liberation Organisation (SNLO) and the Front for Independence of Oromia (FIO), issued a Joint Statement to highlight the need of unity among the two fraternal nations.

This represents a great moment in the History of the two subjugated nations, as it heralds greater synergy among all the oppressed Kushitic nations of Abyssinia, fallaciously re-baptized Ethiopia, in view of the impending collapse of Africa´s most loathed tribal tyranny, and most inhuman colonial relic.

From all parts of Africa, the eyes of all Kushitic nations, the Berbers of the Atlas, the Somalis of the Horn, the Hausas and the Fulanis, turn now to the highlands of Oromia and Sidama Land, as the liberation of the two nations, forged through Unity and Synergy, will herald a Great Kushitic Renaissance throughout Northern Africa.

We republish here integrally the Joint Statement, which reverberates more than 45 centuries of Kushitic Humanity, Noblesse and Civilization.

Sidama and Oromo Remain United Despite Barbaric Abyssinian Tactics!

Joint Statement by Sidama National Liberation Organisation (SNLO) and Front for Independence of Oromia (FIO)

April 13, 2008

Since the original Kushitic nations, namely the Oromos, the Sidamas, the Somalis, the Afars, the Kambattas, the Hadiyas, the Wolaytas, and the rest fell at the hands of barbaric Abyssinian colonial power in the period 1860 - 90, they have all been suffering intolerable hardship deliberately orchestrated and masterminded by the brutal occupiers. From the very beginning of this darkest era in the History of aforementioned nations, several millions of people have been mass murdered and indiscriminately slaughtered. Children and helpless elderly were mercilessly dragged to death, whereas hundreds of thousnads have been burnt alive. The sufferings of the aforementioned nations comprise of all kinds of injustice and have continued down to our times, involving additionally comprehensive expropriation of their natural resources.

The subjugated nations of the Oromos, the Sidamas, the Somalis, the Afars, the Kambattas, the Hadiyas, the Wolaytas, and the rest are still today systematically marginalised and deprived from enjoying all elementary aspects of cultural, religious, socio-economic and political life in their own historical territories. They all are tamed to eternal denigration, dehumanisation, slavery and human misery in an Empire - Cemetery of numerous nations.

At present time, therefore, Meles Zenawi´s regime is unable and can´t afford to act differently from its predecessors, thus perpetuating abhorrent practices of tyranny. Instead of implementing all the parameters of a civil 21st century society to achieve development and progress, Meles Zenawi´s regime is currently repeating previous cruelty that consists in Crime against the Mankind. The Abyssinian iintolerant regime is acting contrarily to all principles and values adopted by the Charter of the United Nations and the San Francisco Declaration. Instead of what represents a Value for the modern democratic societies, Meles Zenawi´s regime pursues the ages-old fallacious ´3000 years of Ethiopian history´ mantra´ - at the prejudice of its subjects.

The Oromo and Sidama Nations

The Oromo and Sidama nations are brothers and sisters, who share common origin and genuinely Cushitic ancestry. Their shared affinities are far much stronger, deeper and ampler than their dissimilarities.

Their egalitarian and genuinely African democratic governance systems, Gaada for the Oromos, and Luuwa for the Sidamas, reveal tremendous similarities, common conceptual approaches to human and social phenomena, and absolutely the same stance towards Life and Nature. Both systems have long become the main target of the successive Abyssinian rulers who have not spared any effort to undermine and dismantle them, without ever succeeding.

Furthermore, the distress of the Sidama and Oromo nations under the Abyssinian colonial yoke has lasted more than a century, as nothing changed and nothing improved for both still subjugated nations. Their common fate is another factor to unite them, as they share the same, numerous forms of injustice, involving intentional starvation, ultra-poverty, deprivation of elementary educational standards, and severe socio-economic decline. Both Kushitic nations are totally exposed to rampant human rights abuses and deprivation from elementary humanitarian help; the lives of the Oromos and the Sidamas reflect the bleakest moments of African History, as both nations cross an interminable desolation.
Instead of acknowledging the past malpractices and renouncing their old tyrannical methods, Meles Zenawi´s regime keeps interfering in the social and national issues of the subjugated nations, although they consist absolutely distinct entities deserving their own nationhood. To perpetrate the same barbaric acts against the Oromos, the Sidamas, the Somalis, the Afars, the Kambattas, the Hadiyas, the Wolaytas, and the other subjugated nations, the regime deploys great effort in instigating unnecessary conflicts between two down-trodden nations that equally suffering abject poverty and abhorrent Human Rights´ abuses that represent some of the darkest pages in the History of the Mankind. This inhuman and lawless policy does serve the regime by diverting the attention of the oppressed nations from the socio-economic calamities and the burden of political despotism for which the present regime and its predecessors are the only responsible.

As part of the Zenawi regime´s methodological approach, the adoption of the aforementioned polcies included the incident that took place between local residents belonging to the Oromo and Sidama sister nations in the district town Malgee Woondo, also known as Wondo Genet. Since the first week of April 2008, people from both sides were driven into unnecessary conflicts which have been deliberately and systematically orchestrated by the Abyssinian colonial masters and their local affiliates. The adverse events caused the death of over 40 innocent people from both sides who don´t have any fundamental differences. Ever since the incumbent Meles Zenawi´s dictatorial regime has taken over in late1991, they caused similar conflicts among various subjugated nations of Ethiopian Kushitic origin, which resulted in deaths of thousands of innocent people, further triggering the displacement of millions of affected populations and the destruction of scarce resources. These abhorrent and inhuman policies are adopted in order to allow the unpopular regime further remain on power.

Therefore, we feel obliged to solemnly declare that the Sidama and Oromo nations don´t have any fundamental differences possible to lead them to any sort of conflicts. Thus, the SNLO and the FIO:-

1. Emphatically and strongly condemn the acts of Abyssinian Meles Zenawi´s regime, which instigates unnecessary conflicts between two brother nations, and warn them to refrain from further interfering in the affairs of the two sister nations´ issues

2. Request the utmost vigilance of the nations of Oromo and Sidama, in order to successfully resist this sort of ´democracy´ embellished with the poisonous and hidden agenda of the Abyssinian regime, which attempts to sow bitterness and disparity between two down-trodden nations. And we ask both nations to get inspired by the lofty values of Gaada and Luuwa, and continue practicing these traditional, egalitarian governance systems, which enable the Oromos and the Sidamas look into issues in a civilised way that is diametrically opposed to the barbaric manner that characterizes the acts of the Abyssinian rulers!

3. Request from all the oppressed nations of the colonian Abyssinian empire that have shared this tragically shameful, 21st century slavery to stand up against the barbaric Abyssinian rulers who try to dilute amd melt down the distinct identities of all the nations of the colonial empire!

4. We strongly recommend all the oppressed nations to realize that this time is a great historical juncture hastening the down-fall of century-old and increasingly shaken Abyssinian regime. Consequently, our historical need to exert our consorted efforts in the struggle for the Independence of our Nations can´t wait for a time and opportunity better than this. Therefore, we urge you all to facilitate the failure of the Abyssinian regime without any delay!

5. We also urge western powerful nations that fund the misery of Ethiopian nations under Meles Zenawi´s despotic regime to re-think their approach; we strongly recommend them to come to support the genuine African democratic movements, including the liberation movements of the Oromos, the Sidamas, the Somalis, and all the other subjugated nations who suffering from starvation and abject poverty, being the undeserved victims of rampant Human Rights abuses.

Liberation and Victory to all Nations under Abyssinians occupation!!

Executive committees, SNLO and FIO

Note

Picture: the logos of Front for Independence of Oromia (FIO) and Sidama National Liberation Organisation (SNLO)

Read more about the Oromos and the Sidamas:

http://www.sidamanational-liberation.org/ and http://www.awofio.com/

Second Opposition Faction Preparing Boycott of Ethiopia Vote

By admin on April 15th, 2008

The biggest opposition party that participated in Ethiopia’s nationwide elections Sunday is planning to boycott the second part of the voting, charging the first half was rigged. Another, larger opposition group had pulled out even before the first vote. VOA’s Peter Heinlein in Addis Ababa reports the withdrawal of the two largest opposition factions would clear the way for Ethiopia’s ruling party to take control of local councils nationwide, and to increase its majority in parliament.

The leadership of the Oromo Federalist Democratic Movement voted Monday to join a boycott when Ethiopia votes in critical municipal elections next Sunday.

The OFDM had been the largest opposition party participating last Sunday, as Ethiopians voted for the first time since 2005, when post-election protests turned deadly. Two hundred people were killed in the violence, and thousands were jailed, including most opposition leaders.

OFDM leader Bulcha Demeksa says his party had decided not to join the boycott for the first part of the vote.

But Monday, he accused election officials and the ruling Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front of massive intimidation and rigging, and said his party would join the boycott.

“We went in for the sake of peace and stability in our country,” said Bulcha Demeksa. “We did not want to be the cause of any crisis. But when the government shows no willingness to cooperate, and wants to be the only party which governs ethiopia, then we have no hope. We cannot work with this kind of party. We have to quit and show the world we are not able to work with them.”

Bulcha says preliminary results indicate his party did not win a single race Sunday in which it entered a candidate. Official results were not immediately available, but reports from political leaders indicate the ruling EPRDF and its allies won huge majorities.

Bulcha told VOA his party was not just defeated, but obliterated. He says as a result, he may be silenced in parliament because he no longer commands the minimum ten seats necessary to be considered a party.

He accused the EPRDF of using the elections as a means of instituting one-party rule in Ethiopia.

“This is happening because the EPRDF wants to be the only party ruling Ethiopia,” said Bulcha. “We’ve heard it. They’ve said they believe in the so-called dominant party. They want through semi-legal means to eliminate all the political parties in Ethiopia and remain the only political party that keeps power in Ethiopia.”

National Election Board office chief Tesfaye Mengesha told VOA Monday that Sunday’s turnout compared well with the 2005 vote. He said 24 million had cast ballots. It is not clear what percentage of the voting age population that represents, because there is no current census information available for Ethiopia, but the total voting age population is estimated to be roughly 40 million.

VOA reporters found polling stations nearly empty for the most part, but election board official Tesfaye attributed that to the addition of thousands of new locations that made voting faster.

The Chief of the Political Bureau of the EPRDF, Bereket Simon, on Monday expressed general satisfaction with the election. He declined further comment until results are announced. Asked when results could be expected, he quipped, “it will be quicker than in Zimbabwe.”

Earlier, Bereket denied there had been any intimidation or vote-rigging. He said the election board had investigated opposition complaints and found them to be without merit.

Prime Minister Meles Zenawi’s EPRDF is almost certain to sweep next Sunday’s elections, too. The party fielded nearly four million candidates for about 3.8 million positions being contested. The 32 opposition parties combined were able to register only a few thousand candidates. Opposition leaders complained in advance that as many as 98 percent of their prospective candidates had been rejected by election officials.

galbeed.com

Twin Blasts Rock Ethiopian Capital, Killing Three

By Peter Heinlein Addis Ababa 15 April 2008

Heinlein report - Download (MP3)
Heinlein report - Listen (MP3)

Two bomb blasts in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa have killed three people and injured 18 others. VOA's Peter Heinlein in Addis Ababa reports the attacks targeted Ethiopia's national oil company.

The blasts occurred within an hour of each other late Monday at two gas stations operated by the privately-owned National Oil Company in different parts of the Ethiopian capital. In each case, police say an explosive device was planted near a kerosene dispenser.

Among the dead was a 10-year-old girl.

Police immediately sealed off the areas around the blast sites, but witnesses say both explosions caused considerable damage.

An Information Ministry spokesman would not rule out terrorism, but said no one claimed responsibility and no suspects were identified.

Addis Ababa has been the scene of two other bomb blasts in recent weeks, one outside Ethiopia's Commercial Bank and the other near the entrance to the high court

National Oil Company Chief Executive Officer Tadesse Tilahun says the two stations were back in operation Tuesday. He told VOA he is puzzled that oil installations were targeted.

"It has never happened like that in our stations," Tilahun said. "This is the first time, and I cannot tell because we here as a company are doing what is really good for the society at large, and that is our job, and I do not know anything negative from what we are doing to the public."

The semi-private National Oil Company operates 20 gasoline stations in Addis Ababa and about 80 throughout Ethiopia.

State-run Ethiopian television, in its report on the blasts, noted they came a day after the first phase of nationwide local and parliamentary elections. The reports speculated that the explosions could be the work of disgruntled opposition political factions.

A second phase of the elections will be held next Sunday, with Prime Minister Meles Zenawi's Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front expected to win by a landslide. Opposition parties have alleged massive fraud, and say a ruling party sweep would clear the way for one-party rule in Ethiopia.

Officials of the prime minister's party have rejected the charges, arguing that opposition parties, many of them small regional groups, were ill-equipped and poorly prepared for the nationwide municipal council elections.

Eritrea doesn't want UN troops on border-envoy

By Louis Charbonneau

UNITED NATIONS, April 10 (Reuters) - Eritrea's U.N. envoy said on Thursday he saw no need for U.N. peacekeepers to remain on its border with Ethiopia, despite U.N. fears that a total withdrawal could spark a new war in the Horn of Africa.

"We don't need UNMEE anymore," Eritrean Ambassador Araya Desta told Reuters in a telephone interview. He was referring to the U.N. mission on the Ethiopian-Eritrean border.

"The UNMEE issue is a dead issue," he said.

Responding to fears of a repeat of the two countries' 1998-2000 war, Desta said Eritrea was not planning to attack Ethiopia. But he warned Addis Ababa that his country was prepared to fend off any invasions into Eritrean territory.

"If the Ethiopians invade us, we'll be forced to defend ourselves," Desta said.

UNMEE has already withdrawn nearly 1,700 troops and military observers who for the past seven years had been trying to prevent another war between the Horn of Africa neighbors.

Some 164 peacekeepers are left in Eritrea to guard equipment, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said in a new report circulated to the U.N. Security Council on Wednesday.

The 1,700 peacekeepers had been stationed in a 15.5-mile (25-km) buffer zone inside Eritrea. But Asmara turned against UNMEE because of U.N. inability to enforce rulings by an independent commission awarding chunks of Ethiopian-held territory, including the town of Badme, to Eritrea.

UNMEE pulled most of its troops out of Eritrea after the government cut off access to fuel and restricted deliveries of food and other essential supplies. Asmara denies this and accuses UNMEE of enabling Ethiopia to occupy its territory. that a total withdrawal of UNMEE could lead to a new war.

Most UNMEE troops have been sent home temporarily, Ban said in the report, obtained by Reuters.

There are also still a few peacekeepers on the Ethiopian side of the border, though Addis Ababa had indicated that it does not want to be alone in hosting U.N. troops.

Ban's report said Eritrea was refusing to discuss the issue of the future status of UNMEE and accused Asmara of a "military occupation" of the official buffer zone between the countries established under the cease-fire agreement.

Desta said his government had not prepared an official response to the report but he vehemently denied that Eritrean forces had illegally seized the territory, which he said was land that belonged to Eritrea. (Editing by Cynthia Osterman)

Oromo...March on Washington was a success

On March 31, 2008, members of International Oromo Youth Association once again marched to the capital to remind the US government, the international community and the American media to give the necessary and long over due attention to the turmoil occurring in the horn of Africa. The International Oromo Youth Association (IOYA), an umbrella organization of all Oromo Youth Associations and Student Unions across the globe, with a vision of engaging in a multifaceted struggle to bring freedom and justice to the Oromo people, pledges to come back year after year, to March on Washington, until freedom and social justice is a reality in the horn of Africa.
Since the current minority regime of Ethiopia clinched to power in 1992, the Oromo nation has seen the largest exodus in its recorded history. Whereas almost everyone was affected by the act of ethnic cleansing theatrical staged by Ethiopia’s government, many left the country to save their lives. Hundreds of thousands are living a nightmarish life in fear of forced deportation, killing and arrest in neighboring countries.
Over the last couple of years, the Ethiopian government had systematically planned to cut short the ongoing Oromo struggle for self-determination. To effectively carry out this tactical goal; it went to war with Somalia, went across border to Kenya to kidnap and kill Oromo refugees and pressed the Sudanese government to deport Oromo refugees. Since the Ethiopian government invaded sovereign territories of Somalia, an unaccounted number of Oromo refugees were taken as prisoners; others were murdered in a cold-blood. In a more recent incident more than 100 Oromos were burned down with their houses in Somalia’s city of Bosassoo.
Our mission is to be the voice for the voiceless majority in Ethiopia. Huluka Abebe, one of the organizers from Georgia State University said “rain didn’t stop us… the cold weather didn’t stop us…we will continue to burn the candle until it gives us some light”. Other enthusiastic members of International Oromo Youth Association, a non-profit youth organization based in Minnesota share Mr.Abebe’s views.
The youth came from as far as Australia, United Kingdom and Canada. Within the U.S; Oromo youth drove in sheer numbers to attend the rally from Minnesota, Atlanta, Tennessee, California and neighboring states of Virginia, Pennsylvania and New York. The Organizes estimate that about 400 people attended the rally, citing bad weather as a reason for the low turn-out. Kitesso Chiri, IOYA board member from Minnesota says “we had many things working against us, yet we have done what we have to do, no matter how little change this might bring, our members were dedicated enough to come out and say nothing can stop us”.
IOYA is determined to continue advocating and telling the stories of those who are kept in darkness. We want to affirm our commitment to organizing similar marches for peace and justice for Oromo people. We call on all Oromos, friends of Oromo, and all peace-loving people to join us on our next rally which will be held during the last week of July, in Minnesota. We would like to express our deepest gratitude to all who participated in the rally. We also thank all organizations and individuals who supported the efforts in making this rally a success.

International Oromo Youth Association

PO Box 14668, Minneapolis, MN 55414

ioyapress@googlegroups.com

http://www.ioyn.org

Mine blast kills 10 Ethiopian troops

At least 10 Ethiopian soldiers have been killed and 13 others injured in a landmine explosion in south of the Somali capital, Mogadishu. The Ethiopian troops were killed when their vehicle hit a landmine in Waaberi district on Wednesday, a Press TV correspondent reported from Mogadishu. Several civilians were also injured in the attack, witnesses said. Another roadside bomb, targeting Ugandan peace keepers went off near Adan Adde international airport in southern Mogadishu, but there were no immediate reports on the number of casualties, witnesses said. The streets of Mogadishu are the scene of daily clashes between Insurgents and Ethiopian troops, Somalia government forces and African Union peacekeepers. Somalia has been plagued by almost uninterrupted civil unrest since the 1991 ouster of former president Mohamed Siad Barre. HE/MMN

Press TV

Land clashes kill 18 in Ethiopia

ADDIS ABABA (Reuters) - Clashes over grazing and farm land killed 18 people last week near the southern Ethiopian town of Wondo-Genet, police said.
A police commander told Reuters the fighting on April 3 pitted members of the Gugi Oromo and Sidama clans, some 260 km (160 miles) south of the capital Addis Ababa.
"Clashes between the two clans have been brought under control and the government is investigating their cause," Demsash Hailu, public relations head of the Federal Police, said late on Tuesday.
Fighting between the two clans in the region, which is known for its hot springs and lush forests, flare up sporadically.
They normally centre on disputes over land used for grazing and for growing khat, a narcotic plant that is one of Ethiopia's main exports and chewed across east Africa and the Middle East.

The Ethiopian Mafia Masterminded the gold scam

Nairobi (HAN) April 6th, 2008- The Ethiopian Mafia and the Bankers who masterminded the recent gold fraud at the National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE) have left the country before police started to arrest suspects.
Reliable sources told The Reporter that the individual who first started to supply gold plated steel to the NBE was Asmare Ayalew. In 2005 Asmare’s close friend called Samson went to NBE with a forged gold export license named Kefeyalew Umeta Export. Samson, who used the fake identity, Ketyalew Umeta, as his name previously served in the Addis Ababa police commission with the rank of sergeant.

Samson (Kefyalew Umeta) gave a power of attorney to Asmare, which enabled Asmare to supply gold to NBE on behalf of Kefyalew Umeta and to receive payments. According to information obtained from NBE in 2006, Kefyalew Umeta supplied 239.36748 kg of gold with a total value of 35,924,502.59 birr.

From July to December 2007 Kefyalew supplied 222.9623 kg of "gold" valued at 35,974,160.34 birr. Sorces told The Reporter that Asmare was supplying the product to NBE on behalf of Kefyalew Umeta and the payment was transferred to Asmare’s bank account in the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia (CBE). Sources said Asmare supplied the product to the NBE by bypassing the Ethiopian Geological Survey’s Central Geo-Chemical Laboratory which is supposed to inspect the gold. Asmare and Sason had wooden boxes which NBE gives to gold exporters.

They also had forged seal of the Ethiopian Geological Survey. According to information obtained from NBE, Kefyalew Umeta Export supplied 529 kg of "gold", which only 30 kg was real gold. In 2005, the laboratory inspected 30 kg of gold brought by Kefyalew Umeta Export. The laboratory also inspected eight gm of real gold brought by Kefyalew but it was not supplied to NBE after the inspection.

According to sources, at least 200 million birr payment was transferred from NBE to Asmare’s account in CBE. Sources said Samson (Kefyalew Umeta) and Asmare left the country in September 2007. Sources added that Asmare now resides in the US while Samson is in Australia. Asmare helped other individuals who collaborated with him to get out of the country.

Asmare got an investment license to establish a big construction company here in Ethiopia which he used to legally send the money out of the country. Sources said Asmare opened a letter of credit at CBE claiming that he wanted to purchase heavy duty construction machineries from the US. The money was wired to a construction machinery manufacturing company in the US through City Bank. However, after Asmare went to the US he took the money from the company saying he had changed his mind. Asmare and Samson took their families with them.

The Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission’s Prosecutor is expected to file charges against 26 suspects who are under custody accused of an alleged involvement in the gold fraud on the coming Monday. Sorces said some of the business people under custody learnt about the fraud from Asmare and Samson.

When the commission took the case to the Federal High Court the file was called under the file of Kefyalew Umeta. However, now the file is called under the file of Mudesir Mohammed. Mudesir, owner of Sofam Enterprise, is in custody together with his four brothers and one nephew. Four individuals from the Ethiopian Geological Survey, seven from NBE and 15 businesspeople and other individuals. According to the Federal Auditor General report, the NBE has lost 158 million birr. However, sources said Samson and Asmare defrauded the bank of over 200 million birr and this one was not included in the report. The court case is adjourned for April 7.

Dozens flee Ethiopian army in Somalia

Ethiopian army has launched a house-to-house search after more than 57 servicemen deserted army in Mogadishu, fleeing to nearby regions.

Military sources in Somalia said a massive manhunt has been launched to spot the defectors in a region about 30 km (20 miles) northwest of Mogadishu since Thursday, a Press TV correspondence reported on Friday.

Last year, more than a hundred Ethiopian soldiers left duty and fled Mogadishu, seeking asylum in Yemen, but eventually they were handed over to Ethiopians by Yemeni officials.

Daily desertion by both Somali and Ethiopian soldiers is increasing, as more army officers resign from their posts, saying that they are not able to continue cooperation with the ruling government.

Meanwhile, Somalia opposition Islamic Courts Union (ICU) and al-Shabab fighters have vowed to continue the fight against the Somali ruling government.

Elsewhere in north of Mogadishu, one woman was killed and three others were seriously injured after a man lobbed a grenade at a group of civilians in a street in Shiibis region.

MRD/MMN

Ethiopian Ogaden rebels claim killing 62 government soldiers

Excerpt from report by Ethiopian opposition Radio Freedom audio website on 26 March
At least 62 colonial soldiers were killed and 16 others were known to have been wounded this past week in battles between the ONLA [Ogaden National Liberation Army] and colonial troops.

As Radio Freedom correspondent in the Ogaden [all places in southeastern Ethiopia] reports, one Ural truck was also burned. The battles took place as follows.

On 23 March 2008, two soldiers were killed when a nocturnal attack was mounted against colonial troops conducting a military operation in Dig town.

On 22 March 2008, five soldiers were killed and seven others were wounded in an attack on a colonial army convoy driving through a place called Darida near Barmilka.

On 21 March 2008, a surprise attack was carried out against colonial troops on a mission, killing five soldiers and wounding nine others.

On 16 March 2008, one colonial army Ural truck was destroyed killing over 50 soldiers riding in it. [Passage omitted].

Source: Radio Freedom, Voice of the Ogadeni People audio website in Somali 26 Mar 08

March 27, 2008