(ONLF) PRESS RELEASE !!!

ETHIOPIA HAS EMERGED AS THE LARGEST OBSTACLE 

TO RECONCILIATION IN SOMALIA

March 9th 2001

Ethiopia has recently increased her flagrant interference in the internal affairs of Somalia in order to sabotage the proposed Nairobi peace conference set for April and sponsored by IGAD. The escalation of Ethiopian military activities on Somali soil are nothing less than an attempt to undermine this peace conference as well as intimidate the Somali Transitional National Government(TNG).

While other member states of IGAD concern themselves with the need to reconcile opposing forces in Somalia, Ethiopia continues to arm and train groups opposed to the TNG adding a destructive element to an already explosive situation.

Ethiopian troops deep inside Somalia have also begun repairing airfields to facilitate support to their surrogates. Communications centers have been set up throughout Southern Somalia to monitor the airwaves. Ethiopian infantry units are stationed in places like Garowe, Galgaduud, Guriceel and Hudur.

Somali civilians living in areas under Ethiopian occupation are subject to arbitrary detention and physical intimidation, often resulting in death. Elders and other prominent figures among the Somali population are particularly targeted.

These and other desperate and cowardly acts by the Ethiopian government are designed to thwart any effort at establishing a unified Somali sovereign state which is in the interest of not only the nations of Horn, but the whole world.

The Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) urges the International Community and particularly IGAD member states to put pressure on Ethiopia to cease its aggression and meddling in Somalia and withdraw her troops from sovereign Somali territory. The continuous Ethiopian interference in the affairs of Somalia will only serve to aggravate the already unstable situation of the Horn of Africa and will increase the suffering of many innocent Somalis who seek peace.

The ONLF commend the efforts taken by Kenya, Eritrea and Djibouti, who have demonstrated their commitment to seeking true reconciliation in Somalia.

OGADEN NATIONAL LIBERATION FRONT (ONLF)

Information Bureau