As the heads of State of the African Union (AU) convene, the Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) wishes to note the continuing suffering of the people of Ogaden at the hands of the host nation of the ongoing AU summit. The Ethiopian regime has a well documented and systematic campaign of persecution against the people of Ogaden. This campaign mainly targeting our civilian population is deliberately concealed from the outside world as a result of the regimes policy of denying entry to all independent media and human rights investigators. As human rights watch in it's recent report "Collective Punishment. War Crimes and Crimes against Humanity in the Ogaden..." the "Ethiopian armed forces have committed numerous violations of human rights, violations of the laws of war that amount to war crimes, and crimes against humanity against the civilian population. These have included widespread forced relocations of civilians, destruction of their villages, willful killings, and summary executions, and torture, rape, and other forms of sexual violence."Despite widespread reporting on these war crimes only a few hundred kilometers from the seat of the AU, the body has been unwilling and unable to even send a fact finding mission under the auspices of its Peace and Security Council (PSC) to independently investigate gross violations of human rights and war crimes. Such a fact finding mission was recommended by the United Nations humanitarian fact finding mission to Ogaden in September 2007 which specifically noted the need for an "independent investigation" into the human rights situation in Ogaden. Over two years after the call for a second fact finding team focused on human rights, the people of Ogaden continue to suffer at the hands of this regime with no international action. The regime continues extrajudicial killings, torture and other war crimes targeting innocent civilians in Ogaden. In addition, the regime continues to utilize food aid provided by the international community as a political weapon denying aid to civilians in large areas of Ogaden due to their political views.
The African Union represents a body of hope for the continent. It was founded on principles upholding the rights of all peoples to determine their political future and to live free of repression. It is therefore Ironic that the seat of the African Union is allowed to continue to pursue a policy of systematic persecution with impunity.
The ONLF calls on the heads of State attending the AU summit to recognize and address the continuing war crimes perpetrated by it's member State, Ethiopia in Ogaden. The ONLF further calls upon the African Union Peace and Security Council to immediately send a fact finding team to Ogaden in line with the recommendations of the United Nations in 2007.
The ONLF further calls on the African Union to realize an international humanitarian corridor into Ogaden to ensure that humanitarian assistance reaches the our people in a free and unfettered manner.
The AU bears a responsibility to respond to the suffering of the people of Ogaden and recognize the Ogaden conflict of one of Africa's long lasting conflicts requiring immediate international and regional intervention
Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF)
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http://onlf.org/news.php
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written by ahmed halgan, February 03, 2010
onlf"s pandering to the disinterest and indiference of the AU and Western countries is quite perplexing. its a wonder after soo many years of struggle ONLF's progress is only minuscule compare to the achievement of previouse rebel organizations in the same time frame and in the same region. No organization weather be it AU, EU, UN, US or any other political organization or country is going to take the statement of a rebel movement with no tangible achivements serious. perhaps the day that fact gets through the thick scull of ONLF cadre's can there be anyhope of acheiving the attention the ogaden so badly need.
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written by omar, February 04, 2010
May i convey my support to long standing struggle of the one ONLF united against the black colonial country of Ethiopia.second,the statement is well ballanced and accurate to the diplomatic convey it carries.i
hope the African union or organization take this massege seriously,and stand the injustice that had been commited against the people of Somali-Ogaden.It"s very sad and heart breaking to the soul to hear everyday a girl is kidnapped and rapped inside a jail and thrown in the river or lakes.it's to this effect the world community waiting from the African Union to say a one word of courage against the regime(Ethiopia) that disregard its own people underprotection,for that reason enough is enough for the suffering that lasted for last 5o(fifty) years of colonization,so its time for the African Union to stand for summission of Somali-Ogaden people to succecede from Ethiopia,before the Ogaedense brought the trouble to the african Union centre that is in Addis Abeba and other cities in Ethiopia.
hope the African union or organization take this massege seriously,and stand the injustice that had been commited against the people of Somali-Ogaden.It"s very sad and heart breaking to the soul to hear everyday a girl is kidnapped and rapped inside a jail and thrown in the river or lakes.it's to this effect the world community waiting from the African Union to say a one word of courage against the regime(Ethiopia) that disregard its own people underprotection,for that reason enough is enough for the suffering that lasted for last 5o(fifty) years of colonization,so its time for the African Union to stand for summission of Somali-Ogaden people to succecede from Ethiopia,before the Ogaedense brought the trouble to the african Union centre that is in Addis Abeba and other cities in Ethiopia.
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written by ahmed, February 04, 2010
because ONLF leaders are serious about this freedon fight they just want to enjoy beautiful live in the west, evern if you give them another 100 years there is no way that ONLF will change anything on the ground with its current system who is there just for attention, not face real reality.
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written by Bashir, February 04, 2010
mr Ahmed i believe you are very wrong O.N,L,F leardes they know what they doing, i want tell you lost for ever who is doing great job last 17 years who start O,N,L.F who cantrol almost 85 percent of ogadenia tell me that iwant come back to you and i want teach what does O,N,L,,F means , dont ever say that again and also O,N,L,F they will be change in ogadenia future if you liked or not okey you have to understand that ogadenia people they were killing rapping by Ethiopia regime last hundred years or more but not any more ogadenia now they are to fight their freedom and no body stop them their, freedom than you will see in your own eyes if you not dead ogadenia freedom you liked or not idont care who you are you will see ogadenia freedom, in your own eyes just remember that but you and other bad guys, who support woyana regim i waiting for you when the woyana regime start to rapping you wife front of you rapping your sister front of you i waiting for you that day okey and after that you will know who you are .
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written by Nuradin, February 05, 2010
The problem with African Union (UA) is that it regards Ethiopia an untouchable holy cow. No matter what Ethiopian leaders (past and present) did/do to their own people –whether it was Haile Salasae’s feudal state or Mingistu’s Red Terror or the current Wayane tyranny- that organization remains to be a conduit for their evil practices, always giving them the cover they need from censure and condemnation.
The tired argument that says Ethiopia is the pride of the African continent, a country that has never been colonized except the brief disruption of that record by Italy, and so it should be given a favorable treatment as such becomes meaningless when the country is heading straight into abyss. If that argument is closely scrutinized and striped of its inherent distortion of history, lies and fabrications, there will be an ugly truth that reveals past Ethiopian rulers’ collaboration with European colonialism and betrayal of their African brothers.
Even if that argument is considered--with all its attendant defects--to constitute the basis for immunity for the current Ethiopian rulers, can it be a sound judgment then when they’re destroying the houses their forefathers father built?
I thought the African Union would have some political teeth when it was rechristened in Sirte, Libya on 9 July 2002 and the AU was formed as a successor to the Organisation of African Unity (OAU). But alas! The organization still remains a club of dictators and tyrants. The stated objectives of AU which was meant “to accelerate the political and socio-economic integration of the continent; to promote and defend African common positions on issues of interest to the continent and its peoples; to achieve peace and security in Africa; and to promote democratic institutions, good governance and human rights” has almost but floundered—thanks to the “untouchable holy cow” mentality.
The tired argument that says Ethiopia is the pride of the African continent, a country that has never been colonized except the brief disruption of that record by Italy, and so it should be given a favorable treatment as such becomes meaningless when the country is heading straight into abyss. If that argument is closely scrutinized and striped of its inherent distortion of history, lies and fabrications, there will be an ugly truth that reveals past Ethiopian rulers’ collaboration with European colonialism and betrayal of their African brothers.
Even if that argument is considered--with all its attendant defects--to constitute the basis for immunity for the current Ethiopian rulers, can it be a sound judgment then when they’re destroying the houses their forefathers father built?
I thought the African Union would have some political teeth when it was rechristened in Sirte, Libya on 9 July 2002 and the AU was formed as a successor to the Organisation of African Unity (OAU). But alas! The organization still remains a club of dictators and tyrants. The stated objectives of AU which was meant “to accelerate the political and socio-economic integration of the continent; to promote and defend African common positions on issues of interest to the continent and its peoples; to achieve peace and security in Africa; and to promote democratic institutions, good governance and human rights” has almost but floundered—thanks to the “untouchable holy cow” mentality.
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written by Bashir, February 09, 2010
African leaders I don't want call holy cows but I call stupid animals because you know why because they are trash. I never ever seen some trash people call them self leaders what can of leaders like that if they do not change the way they doing their own people they will never ever succeed and they will go down down and down because they are trash. dectotors most of them they came to power more than twenty years ago and they are still ramain the power what can of leardrs like that. the are nothing and again they are stupid trash and also they killing rapping their own people. the only thing I can say for those who call them self African learders fuck you guys and see you around
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written by Nuradin, February 09, 2010
That is NOT how I meant it to be interpreted.
Any way I agree with the core of your argument.
Well done!
Any way I agree with the core of your argument.
Well done!
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written by Bashir, February 09, 2010
Nuradin you are ogdenia hero , you diong great job you have more education and age more than me im only twent years old but iam talk about the people who call them self African leardes, who just watch what happining in ogadenia every day , Ethiopia regime killing rapping with children in ogadenia thats why im angry about them if we are not doing that and we not talk about ogadenia problem who is gana talk about ogadenia problem ,so we are not done yet untill we get our freedom okey and iam not gana stop to support my country my own words thank you HERO .
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written by ahmed halgan, February 10, 2010
Br. I am happy to see that you have a lot of passion for the freedom of our country. Understand that issues and the happenings of Africa and world political affairs are not always black and white and that the best way to respond to people is not through profanity and expletives. ONLF is an organization (despite its short comings) that has succeeded in mastering the art of writing well intentioned but hollow statements. If you can't or won't rock the boat (status quo) everybody is going to swim along (despite the suffering of ogaden people). perhaps that is the truth that nobody can deny.
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written by Nuradin, February 11, 2010
I must say from the onset that I like the subtle yet shrewd way you put your points across.
However, when you accuse the ONLF of being experts in the art of writing “well intentioned but hollow statement,” I would like to know from you what makes these (ONLF statements) ‘hollow’ and the indicators you use to come that conclusion.
Are these statements hollow in their (supposedly, that is) inherent weakness to convey the message to target audience, or, from a language perspective? In other words the spin master in the Foreign Office of the ONLF is not properly doing his job, which should be to lobby hard, cleverly craft masterpieces (articles, opinion pieces, position papers, etcetera) to woe influential opinion makers and shapers of the world—or make way for other more competent persons to do the job. Or is the whole the exercise—the struggle—hollow undertaking?
To rock the boat, I understand it to mean: to take the conflict into the heart of the enemy and storm their castles, failure of which no one will notice our suffering in the distant periphery of the state (the boat will smoothly sail and no will notice the whining cries for help of a drowning person unless that person was to drill a hole in the boat and threaten the whole crew) and the status qou will remain the same in the foreseeable future.
All in all, notwithstanding your prudent observation, somethings are easier said (proposed?) that done.
However, when you accuse the ONLF of being experts in the art of writing “well intentioned but hollow statement,” I would like to know from you what makes these (ONLF statements) ‘hollow’ and the indicators you use to come that conclusion.
Are these statements hollow in their (supposedly, that is) inherent weakness to convey the message to target audience, or, from a language perspective? In other words the spin master in the Foreign Office of the ONLF is not properly doing his job, which should be to lobby hard, cleverly craft masterpieces (articles, opinion pieces, position papers, etcetera) to woe influential opinion makers and shapers of the world—or make way for other more competent persons to do the job. Or is the whole the exercise—the struggle—hollow undertaking?
To rock the boat, I understand it to mean: to take the conflict into the heart of the enemy and storm their castles, failure of which no one will notice our suffering in the distant periphery of the state (the boat will smoothly sail and no will notice the whining cries for help of a drowning person unless that person was to drill a hole in the boat and threaten the whole crew) and the status qou will remain the same in the foreseeable future.
All in all, notwithstanding your prudent observation, somethings are easier said (proposed?) that done.
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written by ahmed halgan, February 11, 2010
you have meticulously and politely unpacked what i have said, preserving all possibly venues for answers and not passing judgment hesitantly. that my friend is kind of rare in discussion boards.
Language (specially foreign) is not all that critical to bringing attention and value to statement's of an organization that is fighting to liberate an oppressed populace. the finer things related to diplomatic decorum and professionalism can only be disregarded when your struggling for your very survival. rather this "statement is hollow" in that it originated in digital media and that its influence doesn't have much bearing on reality. t
this struggle is far from futile. there are men and women who have sacrificed their lives to maintain the dignity of the Ogaden people and to equate their struggle as meaningless is just indecent. however, the potency of this struggle is lacking and that is what makes the statement's of the organization that leads the liberation superficial.
in truths somethings are easier said than done and all that i have said are nothing more than a man who wishes for results that he didn't work for.
Language (specially foreign) is not all that critical to bringing attention and value to statement's of an organization that is fighting to liberate an oppressed populace. the finer things related to diplomatic decorum and professionalism can only be disregarded when your struggling for your very survival. rather this "statement is hollow" in that it originated in digital media and that its influence doesn't have much bearing on reality. t
this struggle is far from futile. there are men and women who have sacrificed their lives to maintain the dignity of the Ogaden people and to equate their struggle as meaningless is just indecent. however, the potency of this struggle is lacking and that is what makes the statement's of the organization that leads the liberation superficial.
in truths somethings are easier said than done and all that i have said are nothing more than a man who wishes for results that he didn't work for.
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written by Bashir, February 11, 2010
mr Ahmed can we play the piano, your advice is not what we see descripe you maind idea, we dont understand are you with us or not, onlf its only troops we have and we are very happy with them, and also what they doing, and they are ogadenia hero be care ful what you try to say onthe internet our dicision is to move ford not to go back this messege going to for anyone who not support ogadenia, and sametime live in ogadenia, you cant not enjoy in ogadenia if you not suppot onlf , anyone who support woyana regime he or she they died sooner because onlf they know their enemy ,onlf mission is clear that to brinfg freedom in ogadenia, thats application we have my suggest to you is came with us our freedom and our beatiful country, we have research and we, ll get what we need thats freedom of ogadenia, you are in under unlock house and your comment is stupid comment if you still believe that you and other people who believe that you guys will never ever succeed carried ofer you point but just remember iam just volunteer im not work with onlf but ilike them ilove them and iam very happy with them believer or not and iam ready to support for them this is what i want tell you mr Ahmed ogedina war will be prevail thats good news for us, and we are active for that im serious about this i want ask you this if you need emergency who did you call, you call your familly but ogadenia people or anyone who lives there they call onlf just remember that, and also congaratulaions mr Ahmed next comment i hope you will be come onlf suppoter and ihope we need to do more exericises to gether so you round and i will see our category possible we in the different pages , however idepesed to you that big paragraph and you can learn more.
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written by Ahmed halgan, February 12, 2010
Perhaps Mr. Bashir you don't understand what the topic is about. I can see that you’re passionate about ONLF, ONLA, and the struggle to rid ourselves of colonial bondage. But that is not what the topic at hand is about. You see people (like me) see the article posted and after reading it respond to it. Now granted I made some claim about the hollowness of the posted article/statement, it was never about the validity of the struggles or ONLF's leadership of the struggle.
What is said on internet boards isn't something u can control or dictate, rather the best approach is to understand people's view points and influence them to the best of your ability. I know I am kind of coming across as someone pretending to be "holier than thou", and I apologize for that, but I am trying to establish some level of understanding that is civil and respectful. Then perhaps we can discuss the ideas you propose in the rest of your paragraph.
What is said on internet boards isn't something u can control or dictate, rather the best approach is to understand people's view points and influence them to the best of your ability. I know I am kind of coming across as someone pretending to be "holier than thou", and I apologize for that, but I am trying to establish some level of understanding that is civil and respectful. Then perhaps we can discuss the ideas you propose in the rest of your paragraph.
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written by Bashir, February 12, 2010
Mr Ahmed you way behind I consider that you always try it to attack ogadenia leaders ,that by you don't have any I dea how had job do they have, you missing the point you explanations is wrong I disprove you that you drop the pool and many detailed this is not notified alerts excellent resourse, keep track that way I think this is interective lessons for you and unlited exercice I hope you will be a intelligent person ,not someone act flush I hope you are geneates your words you can't sweem inthe ocean that's means you lose that's had enough for you or you still need more and also sofeware preparing,readingskills,you knowlege is despair when come to onthe enternet you behind a way that you even have memory lost instrutions catchup our mission is clear,the reason I say that because start game and les conected each other this is your resalution support ogadenia that's all thank you and see you around.
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