Mekelle: 14 May 2024 (Tigray Herald)
Ambassador Mike Hammer held talks with the Chairman of the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF), Mr. Dawud Ibsa, at the United States Embassy in Addis Ababa.
Ambassador Hammer and Chairman Dawud had extensive discussions on crucial matters about the current political and security issues in Ethiopia. The Ambassador expressed his heartfelt condolences regarding the recent killing of the renowned political officer of the OLF, Mr. Batte Urgeessaa.
The high-level talks between the U.S. Diplomat and the OLF chairman assessed details surrounding the agonizing situations that the OLF is operating within, the alarming security issues in Ethiopia, and the overall potential threats to peace in Horn Africa due to such conflicts.
Mr. Dawud Ibsa briefed the Ambassador on critical issues such as the difficult political terrain the OLF had come through and the seriously difficult situation the organization currently finds itself in terms of the untold adversity it is facing from the incumbent ruling party. Mr. Ibsa further suggested key solutions to the current stalemate that need to be acted upon sooner. Among such proposals were an immediate and unconditional release of OLF leaders who were unlawfully held in the regime’s prisons for years, the re-opening of OLF offices with unfettered access throughout Oromia, and the release of all political prisoners throughout the country to ease ongoing conversations for lasting peace and stability in the region.
Ambassador Hammer on his part acknowledged the very intimidating difficult situation the OLF has been facing as briefed by Mr. Dawud Ibsa, and assured the OLF Chairman that the United States Government is diligently working to resolve the multifaceted conflicts in Ethiopia.
