Mekelle, March 4፡2025 (Tigray Herald)
The Ogaden National Liberation Front (#ONLF) wishes to address inaccuracies in recent media reports, particularly the article published by Borkena on March 3, 2025
The Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) wishes to address inaccuracies in recent
media reports, particularly the article published by Borkena on March 3, 2025.
Clarification on the Voice of America (VOA) Amharic Interview Contrary to claims in the article, ONLF Chairman Abdirahman Mahdi did not participate in an interview with VOA Amharic.
The interview was conducted by Mr. Abdulkadir Hirmoge, ONLF’s spokesperson and Head of the Information Bureau. Accurate representation of our communications is essential for maintaining public trust and ensuring informed discourse.
ONLF’s Stance on Self-Determination and Democratic Change.
The Ethiopian Constitution, under Article 39, guarantees the right to self-determination
for all nations, nationalities, and peoples within the country. This right can manifest in
various forms, including regional autonomy, political, economic and cultural rights.
Currently, our focus is on advocating for genuine democratic reforms in Ethiopia. Our aim is to establish a political system where the rights of all groups are respected, and no
single entity dominates under the guise of Ethiopian statehood.
Policies that favour one group over others sow the seeds of human rights violations and
can lead to atrocities against marginalized communities. Such approaches risk destabilizing the nation and precipitating the collapse of regimes that perpetuate
inequality. Regrettably, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and the Prosperity Party (PP) have
fallen into this pattern, leading to widespread grievances.
Challenges Facing the Somali Region
The Somali people have endured tactics of divide and rule, the imposition of corrupt local
administrations appointed by the federal government despite claims of self-rule, and
territorial encroachments.
We recognize that similar challenges afflict other nations and
regions within Ethiopia. Without genuine cooperation and understanding among all
oppressed groups-irrespective of individual interests and political perspectives-this
regime will persist in its oppressive practices.
The Regime’s Attempts to Discredit Genuine Opposition The machinations of the regime in parading individuals before the cameras-individuals who claim to represent ONLF while being forced under duress to refute ONLF’s official statements-is an old and stale practice. The Ethiopian government has used this same tactic against opposition parties across the country in an attempt to discredit genuine political resistance. However, the people of Ethiopia are well aware of these fabrications.
Such acts hold no value or effect; they only serve to mislead the regime itself into
believing its own lies.
A Collective Call for Self-Determination Against Tyranny by ONLF
The current struggle transcends the self-determination of any single group. It embodies the collective aspiration for self-determination against tyranny and one-party rule that has kept Ethiopia at the bottom of global development rankings. ONLF remains committed to working alongside all marginalized communities to achieve a democratic Ethiopia where equality, justice and the rights of self-determination of all nations prevail.
We urge media outlets to report responsibly and accurately, reflecting the true positions
and voices of those they cover. Misrepresentation not only distorts public perception but also undermines the efforts of those striving for positive change.
Finally, we also recognize that any inaccuracies were unintentional and appreciate your efforts to present the public with an accurate portrayal of the current realities in Ethiopia.
Thank you
ONLF
