ONLF threatens to thwart
Ethiopia’s oil deal with Petronas
26 July 2005
In response to the recently signed deal between Ethiopia
and Malaysia’s national petroleum corporation, PETRONAS, to explore oil in
Ogaden, whole SE Ethiopia, the Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) issued a
statement putting both countries on notice that it will thwart any exploration
of natural resources in Ogaden as long as the inalienable right to
self-determination of the people of Ogaden remains denied.
Ogaden
comprises the entire southeastern region of Ethiopia, which is about the size
of Britain, and is inhabited by exclusively ethnic Somalis. The ONLF has taken
up arms and has been fighting for the right to self-determination of the people
and region of Ogaden since early 90’s just like the current clique ruling
Ethiopia (Woyané rebels then) when it was fighting for the same reason on
behalf of the people and region of Tigrai.
Following is full text of the statement of the ONLF that
was posted on Ogaden website:
O.N.L.F
Statement on Malaysian Firm PETRONAS’ Oil Exploration in Ogaden (July 24 2005)
The Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) notes with grave concern recent
reports that the Ethiopian government will soon issue an oil exploration
license to the Malaysian owned petroleum Nasional Bhd (PETRONAS) to search
for crude oil in Ogaden. Petronas has been analyzing geological data from
Ogaden since last year and is seeking an exploratory license following positive
data results.
The ONLF wishes to make clear to PETRONAS and the Ethiopian government that so
long as the people of Ogaden are denied their undeniable right to
self-determination, the exploitation of natural resources in Ogaden for the
benefit of the Ethiopian regime or any foreign firm will not be tolerated.
We call on PETRONAS to cease and desist from its activities in Ogaden until
such time that a legitimate form of self-government exists in Ogaden. The ONLF
wishes to make clear to PETRONAS that the Ethiopian government is not in
effective control of Ogaden and therefore is in no position to be issuing
licenses of any kind for natural resources exploration. We further wish to note
that there is currently an armed conflict waging in Ogaden between Ethiopian
troops and ONLF liberation forces resulting in an unsafe environment for any
exploration to occur.
The ONLF also calls on the government of Malaysia to take note of the situation
in Ogaden and encourage PETRONAS to cease activities until such time it is able
to engage with the true representatives of the people of Ogaden.
Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF)
foreign@onlf.org
Source: http://www.ogaden.com/ONLF_Press_Jul2405.htm
July 24th 2005
