Ogaden Online: The official homepage of Ogaden on the Internet

October 1, 2010 — The Somali Ogaden Community of San Diego would like to issue the following statement regarding the fictitious “peace agreement” currently taking place between the Ethiopian regime and ONLF imposters most notably Salahadin Ma’ow. 
 
Although multiple organizations have continuously called upon the Ethiopian regime to with hold from engaging in counterproductive “negotiations” the government continues to entertain individuals such as Salahadin Ma’ow who in no way shape or form represents the people of the Ogaden, and more importantly the ONLF. On July 28th the Ethiopian government also signed a “peace agreement” with the United Western Liberation Front (UWSLF) a liberation movement that has been inactive in the Ogaden region for more than a decade and whose current leader Ibrahim Hussein was once leader of Al Itihad Al Islami (AIAI), a U.S classified terrorist organization.  Although the Ethiopian government hailed UWSLF’s peace agreement as a major success the situation in the Ogaden hasn’t changed. In addition, the Ethiopian armed forces have yet to halt their campaign of terror that includes the burring of villages, rapes, and massive destruction of foodstocks, livestock, and critical wells and irrigation systems.
 
With that in mind, it must be noted that the peace negotiations between Salahadin Ma’ow and the Ethiopian government will not change the dire situation in the region due the weakness of the self declared ONLF representative who lacks legitimacy as well as military authority which is needed to halt the conflict.
 
It is important to note that Mr. Ma’ow was ousted from the central committee of the ONLF in 2004, due to allegations of stealing thousands of dollars from the liberation front for personal use. Since his ousting Mr. Ma’ow has been entirely absent from the social and political matters regarding the Ogaden region. Therefore, it is only logical to conclude that such representative can not effectively draft and promote a lasting solution to the longstanding injustice and conflict in the Ogaden region. 
 
Furthermore, the so called “ONLF delegation” which Mr. Ma’ow supposedly heads consists of individuals who not only lack competency, but also credibility and the political expertise needed to bring about lasting peace and justice to the Ogaden region. These actors should not be dealt with in the context of a peace process, as a place at the negotiating table would grant them undeserved political legitimacy.  In addition, the Somali Ogaden community of San Diego strongly believes that the taxi drivers, welfare and SSI recipients of San Diego who have over night painted themselves as ONLF representatives should be viewed as spoilers to the peace process rather than representatives of the Ogaden population and must be disregarded immediately.
 
 In conclusion, it must be noted that future negotiations regarding the Ogaden conflict must be inclusive. Groups including the Ogaden diaspora, Ogaden advocacy organizations, and respected and educated religious and civil leaders must be consulted and included. Most importantly future agreements must include the Ogaden National Liberation Front headed by Admiral Mohammed Omar Osman who is the only individual capable of commending ONLF forces on the ground and who has overwhelmingly gained the support and backing of the mass people of the Ogaden.
 
The participation of such groups and individuals would provide the platform for the grievances of the Ogaden people to be heard and addressed.
Furthermore, the inclusion of these groups would further legitimize and enhance the success of the negotiations and would eliminate future set backs while constructing a lasting and just solution.

 

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Ogaden Community of San Diego