PasserBy Posted June 28, 2010 Ethiopia claims rebels depleted after deal ADDIS ABABA (AFP) – Ethiopia claimed on Saturday that the country's most active rebel group, the ****** National Liberation Front (ONLF), was on its last legs after a large faction agreed to lay down arms. "At the moment, they number around 250 fighters, of which half belong to the faction that is negotiating with the government," Abay Tsehaye, Prime Minister Meles Zenawi's security and intelligence advisor, told reporters. "It (ONLF) does not have any hope of running a significant army because the people are against them," he added. Formed in 1984, the ONLF is fighting for independence for the ****** -- an oil-rich southeastern region populated mainly by Somali speakers -- which it says has been marginalised by the regime in Addis Ababa. Government spokesman Bereket Simon told AFP on Thursday that a large breakaway faction of the ONLF had signed a deal on June 12. "The pressure from the people (in the region) is very intense. Every elder and family is pressurising them to come to peace," Abay said. He said the faction that agreed to talks included 20 members of the group's senior leadership that enjoyed "60 percent of the support base". Part of the agreement was to grant members an amnesty and provide the group the opportunity to function as a political party, while a "three-month ceasefire" has also been implemented. "The next (stage) is to give them time and come to finalise the agreement (in the summer)... so that they can hand over arms and be rehabilitated," Abay said. ONLF spokesman Abderahman Mahadi had denounced the announcement as a "farce" on Thursday saying Addis Ababa "wants the international community to believe it is negotiating when it is not true". The group has said in the past that it was ready to talk with the government through the mediation of a third country, a request so far rejected by the authorities in Addis Ababa. Both sides routinely trade accusations or trumpet major military victories. Information on the ****** is very hard to verify because independent media access to the remote region is banned. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PasserBy Posted June 28, 2010 Decision of ONLF and UWSLF To Pursue Peaceful Path Will Help Speed Up Development In Somali: Official Addis Ababa, June 26, 2010 (Addis Ababa) - The agreement reached by the ****** National Liberation Front (ONLF) and the United Western Somali Liberation Front (UWSLF) to make legal and peacefully operation by accepting the national constitution would help speed up the on-going development in Somali State, top government official said. In a news conference he gave here on Saturday, Abay Tsehaye, Security and Intelligence Advisor to the Prime Minister, said the decision made by the ONLF and UWSLF to renounce forceful means and pursue legal and peaceful path would help speed up development in the region. Abay said the abandonment of forceful strategy and acceptance of peace aimed at operating under the umbrella of the constitution by the ONLF and UWSLF reflects the strong pressure made on them by peace loving people of the region. The Advisor said the decision of the two political organizations pursuing the path of peace by renouncing subversive activities which hamper the development of the region is significantly important. He attributed the success to the management of the state government to carry out a good administrative works and ability of the national army along with the public to clear the area off anti-peace elements. Abay indicated that an agreement has been reached in Germany in June this year alone on three major issues. According to the Advisor, the ONLF and UWSLF had agreed to accept and operate under the constitution, as well as negotiate with the government directly. The government on its part had agreed to extend all the necessary support to the members of the two political organizations who have the desire to lead a peaceful life by re-uniting with the society. Abay said 21 leaders of the ONLF along with the majority of the members of the front had chosen to pursue the path of peace by recognizing that their subversive activities did no good to the people in the state. According to Abay, the larger faction of the ONLF has agreed to pursue peaceful path. He said the other faction which has a very small number of supporters was unable to pursue peace as it was engaged destructive activities as Eritrea as mastermind. The ONLF had decided to bring this faction through force if it refrains to join the ranks of peace, he added. Abay said the government has been striving to route out security problems from its roots and ensure peace and security in the region. He said the people in the state have contributed significantly for the agreement reached between the government and the two organizations. ---END--- Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PasserBy Posted June 28, 2010 Unfortunately Admiral Osman didn't get permission from Eritrea's strong man to make peace with xabashis. He is left out of the deal. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Saalax Posted June 28, 2010 250 men? what is this lol? muskar canoole? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Complicated Posted June 28, 2010 PasserBy: Oo ma iyagaaba badan, war 250kaba qabqabta. Caqli xumaa wuxu! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
