ONLF: Statement

Ogaden National Liberation Front

15 September 2009

The Ogaden National Liberations Front (ONLF) informs all concerned parties that in the Ogaden there is an ongoing war between the Ogaden people and Ethiopian TPLF/EPRDF occupation Troops. The ONLF as a matter of principle and expediency is bound to engage any Ethiopian armed presence in Ogaden due to the threat such an army poses to the livelihood of Ogaden people and the war Crimes it commits against the Ogaden people.

Therefore, ONLF strongly advises multinational corporations that Ogaden is a war zone so they should not to conduct any business activity in it until there is a political solution to the Conflict. ONLA will not be responsible for any collateral damages that occur from its engagements with the Ethiopian Army or security apparatuses wherever they are.

It is the policy of the current Ethiopian regime to lure and involve Multinationals, especially Oil Companies, in the conflict in order to take advantage of the power and political influence of these Multinationals, whose lobby can sway international opinion in order to mute voices of conscience. Hence annul any international action against the War Crimes and Crimes against Humanity Ethiopia is committing in Ogaden. In doing so, these companies participate willingly in disinheriting the Ogaden people of their natural resources.

ONLF also calls upon the governments of these multinationals to take heed of the request of the Ogaden people and stop these companies from engaging in blood money and destroying the livelihood of a poor disenfranchised pastoral community in Ogaden. It is the epitome of demagogy and double standards to allow Ethiopia to get away with War Crimes and Genocide in Ogaden while imposing economic and aid blockade, including banning of NGOs, Human Rights groups and independent media on the pretext of insecurity. On the other hand giving the go ahead to multinational corporations to conduct oil explorations and other business activities in a territory where Ethiopia is starving the local people to death.

The Ogaden people are being pushed to a level of desperation beyond the threshold of tolerance. While all their neighbours are prospering and developing, Ethiopia is systematically exterminating them and the International Community including the regional organization, the AU is watching such Crimes in silence.

ONLF invokes Article 1 of International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights of the UN, which states that:

All peoples have the right of self-determination. By virtue of that right, they freely determine their political status and freely pursue their economic, social, and cultural development.

All peoples may, for their own ends, freely dispose of their natural wealth and resources without prejudice to any obligations arising out of internation

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