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On [[12 August]], [[2006]], 13 members of the ONLF were killed and several commanders were claimed captured as they crossed into Ethiopia from Somalia.<ref>[http://allafrica.com/stories/200608140290.html] Archived for subscribers only</ref> The ONLF repudiated this claim, stating that it was intended to reassure prospective oil prospecting companies from Malaysia and China that Ethiopia is in control of the Ogaden territory.<ref>{{cite press release|url=http://www.onlf.org/pressAug122006.htm|title=O.N.L.F Statement On Ethiopian Occupation Of Somalia|publisher=Ogaden National Liberation Front|date=[[2006-08-12]]|accessdate=2007-01-08}}</ref>
On [[12 August]], [[2006]], 13 members of the ONLF were killed and several commanders were claimed captured as they crossed into Ethiopia from Somalia.<ref>[http://allafrica.com/stories/200608140290.html] Archived for subscribers only</ref> The ONLF repudiated this claim, stating that it was intended to reassure prospective oil prospecting companies from Malaysia and China that Ethiopia is in control of the Ogaden territory.<ref>{{cite press release|url=http://www.onlf.org/pressAug122006.htm|title=O.N.L.F Statement On Ethiopian Occupation Of Somalia|publisher=Ogaden National Liberation Front|date=[[2006-08-12]]|accessdate=2007-01-08}}</ref>


===Ogadenia confusion===


Since the insurgency to separate this region began many decades ago, the labeling of this southeastern area of Ethiopia has been controversial. On its part, the ONLF labeled the whole Somali region "Ogadenia" in reference to its Ogaden sub-clan that makes up the highest percentage of the region. <ref>[http://www.thefullmonte.com/ethiopia2.htm ONLF claims of Ogadenia]</ref>However, many other Somali clans and sub-clans reside in the area and animosity between the pro-ONLF Ogadenis and other Somalis in the area remains very deep rooted.<ref>[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/10/09/wethiop109.xml Divisions and anti-ONLF sentiment among local Somali population]</ref> In fact, the ONLF often accuses the Ethiopian government for exploiting this difference between the various Somali clans in southeastern Ethiopia to its advantage or by arming local Somali militias to reverse gains made by ONLF rebels. Yet, the ONLF also claims ownership of other clan territories and uses the word "Ogadenia," igniting clan hegemony accusations from other Somali clans, sub-clans as well as sub-sub-clans. Such ONLF claims over other clan territories have been very widespread enough that most of the international media incorrectly labels the multi-clan Somali region map using only the one "Ogaden" clan label.<ref>[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/10/09/wethiop109.xml Picture of the Somali region displayed only as an Ogaden region]</ref><ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/5365250.stm Somali region incorrectly labeled Ogaden]</ref><ref>[http://www.canada.com/topics/news/world/story.html?id=bfe8aaf3-2f28-4647-b9fd-c8d16398f52d&k=50827 Somali region labeled Ogaden]</ref><ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7004367.stm Picture of Somali region correctly labeled]</ref> Secondly, in contrast to the Somalia country that was created in 1960 by its founding father [[Aden Abdullah Osman Daar]]<ref>[http://www.mudulood.com/PageAadan%20Cabdulle%20Cusman.html founding father of Somalia]</ref>, a country by the name of Ogadenia never existed and remains a controversial matter between most Somalis.


== Effects on Ethiopia & the Somali Civil War ==
== Effects on Ethiopia & the Somali Civil War ==

Revision as of 22:15, 29 October 2007

File:ONLF flag.svg
Flag of the ONLF
Territories inhabited by ethnic Somalis

The Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) (Amharic: ኦጋደን፡ ብሔራዊ፡፡ነጽነት፡ግንባር)(Somali: Jahbadda Wadaniga Xoreenta Ogadenia, JWXO), is a separatist rebel group fighting to make the region of Ogaden in eastern Ethiopia an independent state. Because Ogaden is populated by many ethnic Somalis, the ONLF claims that Ethiopia is an occupying government. However the Ogaden people are represented in the Ethiopian government, including by the opposition party SPDP - Somali Peoples Democratic Party. The ONLF is composed mainly of members of the Ogaden clan.

The armed wing of the ONLF is the Ogaden National Liberation Army (ONLA). Some analysts argue that the OHRC, a human rights organization controlled by ONLF supporters, is its diplomatic wing assisting ONLF's foreign relations with western countries, using selective human rights assessments to benefit its secession aspirations.[1] Generally, ONLF is designated a terrorist group by the Ethiopian government.

History

Founded in 1984 by Abdirahman Mahdi, the Chairman of the Western Somali Liberation Movement Youth Union, Mohamed Ismail Omar (WSLF), Sh. Ibrahim Abdalla (WSLF), Abdi Ibrahim Geelle (WSLF-Trade Union), Abdirahman Yusuf Magan (WSLF) and Abdullahi Muhumed Sa'di-all (WSLF), Sulub Ali Abas (ONLF faction) and hidden members from different Somali separatists factions, the ONLF is currently led by Chairman Mohamed O. Osman.

The ONLF fought against the Derg, the military dictatorship of Mengistu Haile Mariam, but was not allied to the Tigrayan People's Liberation Front (TPLF), the guerrilla movement led by Ethiopia's current prime minister, Meles Zenawi.[2]

ONLF was formed after the defeat of Somalia in the 1977 Ogaden War. ONLF systematically recruited Western Somali Liberation Front(WSLF) members and replaced WSLF in the Ogaden as the WSLF support from Somalia dwindled and finally dried up in the late eighties. By 1993 ONLF fully consolidated its position among ethnic Somalis in Ogaden. After the Mengistu regime fell, the ONLF joined the government but then left it when the Meles government launched its crackdown against the group in 1993 for advocating substantial autonomy or independence, both of which were permitted under Ethiopia's new constitution. [3]

The ONLF announced elections in December 1992 for the Somali District Five in Ethiopia, and won 80% of the seats of the local parliament. ONLF nominated the candidates for the district's presidency and vice-presidency and the Executive body and the parliament elected them in a majority vote. ONLF elected officials ruled the territory until the end of the charter period. Afterwards, the Ethiopian government pushed for a constitution since the former was a transitional period. In addition to ONLF there were/are other parties including SPDP - Somali Peoples Democratic Party - which eventually won more seats and became politically dominant. The Ethiopian government was then accused by ONLF of suppressing its members, while ONLF was accused of killing other Somali politicians and elders. Around 1995, ONLF's diplomatic wing well known as Ogaden Human Rights Committee (OHRC) was established. [4] This human rights organization, widely regarded as being partisan, also uses its connections to demand international condemnation of all government reactions to ONLF's insurgency.[5][6]

The ONLF continues to operate in the Ogaden as of 2006. The Ethiopian military has stepped up its actions against ONLF following the organizations stated that it would attack the Malaysian oil company Petronas, which plans to extract oil from the Ogaden Basin. Even though there are some developments including a new university in the Somali state region, new schools, hospital and Somali language television programs, full development has been restrained in the area because of the fighting between ONLF and government forces. Due to the nomadic nature of the natives and due to the ONLF insurgency, the Ethiopian government is said to spend very high amount of budget for the infrastructure development of the Ogaden region despite the government getting proportionally very low tax revenue from the locals.[7]

In 2005 Ethiopia proposed peace talks with ONLF. ONLF accepted on the condition that talks be held in a neutral country and with the presence of a neutral arbitrar from the international community, but the talks broke down due to Ethiopia's insistence that the two parties meet directly in a location in or around the Horn of Africa. ONLF became a part of the Alliance for Freedom and Democracy on May 22 2006 but the alliance has not achieved any progress since its creation.[8]

On 12 August, 2006, 13 members of the ONLF were killed and several commanders were claimed captured as they crossed into Ethiopia from Somalia.[9] The ONLF repudiated this claim, stating that it was intended to reassure prospective oil prospecting companies from Malaysia and China that Ethiopia is in control of the Ogaden territory.[10]


Effects on Ethiopia & the Somali Civil War

Main article: War in Somalia (2006–present)

On November 28, 2006, the ONLF threatened that it would not allow Ethiopian troops to stage into Somalia from their territories.[11]

On December 23, the ONLF claimed to have attacked an Ethiopian column near Baraajisale heading to Somalia, destroying 4 of 20 vehicles, inflicting casualties and driving the convoy back.[12] But no independent sources confirmed the attack.

on January 10, 2007, ONLF condemned Ethiopia's entry into the War in Somalia (2006-present), stating that Melez Zenawi's invasion of Somalia demonstrates that his government has been an active participant in the Somali conflict with a clear agenda aimed at undermining the Somali sovereignty.[13] However the Somalia government thanked the Ethiopian government for its assistance in Mogadishu.

On January 15, ONLF rebels attacked Ethiopian soldiers in Qabri-Dahar, Garbo, and Fiiq. Five Ethiopian soldiers and one ONLF rebel have been reported killed.[14]

According to the Chicago Tribune, the Chicago Tribune, "As of 2007, human-rights groups and media reports accuse Ethiopia -- a key partner in Washington's battle against terrorism in the volatile Horn of Africa -- of burning villages, pushing nomads off their lands and choking off food supplies in a harsh new campaign of collective punishment against a restive ethnic Somali population in the Ogaden, a vast wilderness of rocks and thorns bordering chaotic Somalia"[15] However the United Nations said the reports of aid blockade were completely wrong. The United Nations' WFP said it "does not consider the government is blockading the Somali region" and said that distributions of WFP food are under way in all vital regions. Yet, the UN also said that military operations in the area have restricted commercial trade and the movement of aid, which could lead to a humanitarian crisis.[16]

Abole Raid, subsequent conflict

Main articles: Abole raid and 2007 Ogaden conflict

On April 24, 2007, members of the ONLF attacked a Chinese-run oil field in Abole, Somali Region, killing approximately 65 Ethiopians and 9 Chinese nationals.[17] The ONLF claimed it had "completely destroyed" the oilfield.[13] Most of the Ethiopians killed in the attack were daily laborers, guards and other support staff. Some members of the Ethiopian security officials were also killed during the surprise attack however those killed by the ONLF included 30 civilians.[18] It was the most deadly single attack by the ONLF.[19] On April 27, Ethiopian government spokesperson reported that ONLF rebels had detonated a "grenade," killing one person who was attending a funeral of family member killed during the prior attack.[20]

Shortly after the attack, the Ethiopian Army launched a military crackdown in Ogaden.

Somali deaths

A grenade attack by ONLF rebels in the Somali region of Ethiopia claimed the lives of at least 11 Somalis.[21] During a national holiday ceremony held at the Ogaden town of Jijiga, the grenade thrown at the podium of the stadium also wounded Somali regional president Abdulahi Hassan Mohammed in the leg.[22] A government advisor blamed both the ONLF and said that Eritrea is responsible since it arms the ONLF. However the ONLF denied the accusations. [23] The bombing triggered a huge stampede in the stadium which led to the death of around six children.[24] Various Somalis, who are native to the Ogaden region, have always blamed the ONLF for killing their own people and assassinating Somali leaders.[25]

Other ONLF attacks

An ONLF grenade attack on a cultural gathering in Jijiga killed four middle school students in May 28, 2007.[26] In a separate attack, fifty civilians were injured, including the regional president Abdullahi Hassan, and three artists were killed in May 28, 2007 by the ONLF.[27]

An ONLF attack on the town of Dobaweyn in Korahey region also left ten civilians dead, including two schoolteachers and a pregnant woman.[28] An attack on the town of Shilabo left five civilians dead.[29] An ONLF-planted landmine near Aware in Dagahbour region exploded, killing three civilians traveling in automobile.[30] An ONLF unit attacked district of Lahelow nearby the Ethiopia-Somalia border, targeting members of the Isma'il Gum'adle sub-clan, twelve of whom were slain.[31]

Notes and references

  1. ^ The relationship of ONLF and OHRC discussed
  2. ^ http://hrw.org/english/docs/2007/07/02/ethiop16327.htm
  3. ^ [1]
  4. ^ The year 1995 marked ONLF's human rights wing entity labeled OHRC
  5. ^ [2]
  6. ^ OHRC condemns Ethiopia and demands the UN put a referrendum for Ogaden seccession
  7. ^ Addis Ababa government uses significantly more money into Ogaden for roads and other services than it receives in taxes
  8. ^ "Statement announcing the formation of the Alliance for Freedom and Democracy" (Press release). Alliance for Freedom and Democracy. 2006-05-22. Retrieved 2007-04-26. {{cite press release}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  9. ^ [3] Archived for subscribers only
  10. ^ "O.N.L.F Statement On Ethiopian Occupation Of Somalia" (Press release). Ogaden National Liberation Front. 2006-08-12. Retrieved 2007-01-08. {{cite press release}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  11. ^ "Ogaden rebels to resist Ethiopian army if it attacks Somali-statement". Sudan Tribune. 2006-11-28. Retrieved 2007-04-26. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  12. ^ "Ogaden rebels destroy Ethiopian military convoy en route to Somalia". Sudan Tribune. 2006-12-24. Retrieved 2007-04-26. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  13. ^ a b "ONLF Statement On Military Operatio Against Illegal Oil Faclity In Ogaden" (Press release). Ogaden National Liberation Front. 2007-04-24. Retrieved 2007-04-26. {{cite press release}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  14. ^ "ONLF rebels attack Ethiopian soldiers in 3 towns". Garowe Online. 2007-01-15. Retrieved 2007-04-26. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  15. ^ [4]
  16. ^ UN says there are no government aid blockades
  17. ^ "Ethiopian Rebels Kill 70 at Chinese-Run Oil Field". The New York Times. 2007-04-24. Retrieved 2007-04-24. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  18. ^ 30 civilians killed by ONLF during April attack
  19. ^ ONLF massacre detailed
  20. ^ "Ethiopian rebels attack family mourning victim of earlier rebel assault,", Associated Press, April 27, 2007
  21. ^ ONLF throws grenade at crowd
  22. ^ ONLF attack injured Somali leader
  23. ^ ONLF denies the grenade attack
  24. ^ Six children killed in the rebel attack
  25. ^ Ogaden natives blame ONLF for deaths
  26. ^ grenade attack on a cultural gathering in Jijiga
  27. ^ ONLF grenade attacks on cultural gatherings
  28. ^ ONLF attack in Dobaweyn
  29. ^ ONLF attack in Shilabo
  30. ^ ONLF landmine attacks in Aware
  31. ^ ONLF attack kills civilians
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