Narobi,Pretoria,London, March 8፡2025 (Tigray Herald)
ONLF Abandons 2018 Peace Deal with Ethiopian Government.
Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) has declared that it is abandoning the 2018 peace agreement with the Ethiopian federal government, citing a series of grievances. However, critics argue that the group is making flimsy excuses while ramping up its confrontational rhetoric.
Ethiopian officials have dismissed ONLF’s claims, stating that the government has upheld its commitments and accusing the group of seeking to reignite tensions for political leverage. “The peace agreement remains intact, but ONLF is choosing to walk away rather than engage constructively,” a government representative commented.
Meanwhile, ONLF has accused the Ethiopian government of interference and bad faith, particularly after Somali regional leader Mustafa Omar held a meeting with individuals the group insists were falsely presented as its representatives. However, observers note that ONLF’s refusal to engage in formal dialogue raises questions about its true intentions.
With ONLF now threatening to pursue “alternative paths” for Somali regions self-determination, concerns are growing that the group is abandoning peaceful means in favor of renewed hostilities.
ONLF Accuses Ethiopia’s Somali Regional President of Sabotaging their Peace Talks with Ethiopian Government, Warns of Renewed Struggle.
ONLF chairman Abdurahman Maddey, in an interview with BBC Somali, accused Ethiopia’s regional president, Mustafa Cagjar of obstructing reconciliation efforts between the group and the Ethiopian government. He stated that despite holding 20 meetings with the regional president, no progress was made.
Maddey also alleged that Mustafe Cagjar, the regional president, has started to engage in talks with expelled ONLF members to create the illusion of negotiating with the organization after their talks failed.
He further emphasized that ONLF is now turning to the people for consultations on whether to restart what he referred to as the “liberation war” or explore alternative paths.
Maddey also asserted that they recognize the Somali region as “Ogaden region,” despite Ogaden being just one of the Somalian clans inhabiting the region, making up less than 20% of the population.
He also stated that ONLF will not participate in the upcoming elections in Ethiopia, arguing that the country lacks genuine democracy.
