ONLF siezes Galaalshe, frees hundreds of prisoners including abducted WFP workers.

[Faafan]

I read this letter recently which is a letter to Obama and it reminds U.S foreign policy makers of this fundamental issue that many analysts continue to overlook, the Key to peace is finding a solution in the O'gaden.

 

In 1960, the US State Department made the correct assessment that ‘Peace in the Horn of Africa depends in large measure on the stabilization, if not the ultimate solution of the ****** Province of Ethiopia.’ (Kennedy Library, National Security Files, Brubeck Series, Somalia. Confidential. Drafted by Newsom on August, 24. A handwritten notation on the source text reads: “Sent to Mr. Bundy for info. Aug. 26. S.B)

Taleexi, I must disagree the reason why I mentioned the 77 war was because the main contributing factor which caused us the conflict was the interpretation of the war by the International community, an incursion into Ethiopia's supposed sovereignty by Somalia arming the "powers" with an excuse.Ethiopia is standing on unstable ground today and the "Somalia" card is not available, with several rebellions across the country, a large silent opposition majority boiling up and Meles Zenawi out of tricks to prolong his stay in power, the future is very bleak for Ethiopia.The Military of Ethiopia is rife with ethnic division, it is also a very weak institution that can explode with a few fireworks in the right areas.Can ONLF win Militarily perhaps not in the near future but it has the capability to weaken Ethiopia and end the conflict with some form of agreement.The next few years will be interesting for Meles Zenawi and his junta.

 

When Ethiopia is this concerned, all signs are positive.

 

the GoE's core Tigrean People's Liberation Front (TPLF) sees in the ONLF an image of itself two decades ago when it overthrew the brutal communist Derg regime, Prime Minister Meles and his Chief of Defense Force, General Samora Yonus, consider it vital to eliminate the ONLF before this insurgent group gains wider support.

The Ethiopian leadership has stressed in public and in private that the ****** counter insurgency operation is critical to the security (and survival) of the government, and that the ONLF must be neutralized

[Che -Guevara]

^I will even go as far saying viable Somali State will be realized if ONLF and like-minded Somalis prevail in Ethiopia.

[Faafan]

Che there is no doubt a defeated Abyssinia is the cure for the Somali people...Inshallah.

[Che -Guevara]

Ethiopia rebels say they take town, free UN staff

 

By Aaron Maasho

Friday, May 27, 2011

 

ADDIS ABABA (Reuters) - Rebels in Ethiopia's Somali Region said on Thursday they had seized a town from government troops and freed two U.N. workers who had been missing since an ambush on a U.N. convoy two weeks ago.

 

The ethnic Somali province, more commonly known as the ******, is home to a low-level insurgency led by the ****** National Liberation Front (ONLF), which has been fighting for independence since 1984.

 

The U.N. World Food Programme had said one of its drivers was killed and another injured when gunmen ambushed the convoy on May 13, and two other WFP workers were missing.

 

Government authorities and the ONLF have accused each other of carrying out the attack. The ONLF said it had been an attempt to silence WFP employees who had witnessed government operations that killed civilians.

 

"The ****** National Liberation Army of (the) ONLF has captured the town of Galalshe in Jigjiga Region near Babili," the group said in a statement that did not disclose any dates.

 

The rebels said they had inflicted casualties on government troops while also capturing armaments and ammunition.

 

"The (ONLF) army found hundreds of civilian prisoners detained in the Galalshe jail who had been tortured and badly treated. Among the prisoners found were the two WFP workers abducted by the Ethiopian Army," it added.

 

Authorities were not immediately available for comment, but they often dismiss the rebels' claims as baseless propaganda.

 

WFP spokeswoman Judith Schuler said the agency could not confirm the release, but that it had partially resumed operations in the region, which were suspended after the incident.

 

The area is facing a drought-induced food crisis. The United Nations last month appealed for $75 million in food and other aid for 2 million people in Ethiopia's southern regions.

 

Journalists and aid groups cannot move unhindered in the area, making the allegations very difficult to verify.

 

Ethiopian forces waged an offensive against the rebels in late 2007 after the ONLF attacked a Chinese-run oil facility, killing 74 people. Analysts say the rebels were weakened but are still able to launch hit-and-run attacks.

 

Ethiopia says the ****** basin may contain 4 trillion cubic feet of gas and major oil deposits.

 

Source: Reuters

[The Zack]

Good stuff, that a music to my ears!

[Faafan]

Update on the situation!

 

Military Communiqué:Ethiopia Deploys Helicopter Gunships in a Bid to Recapture WFP Workers

 

29 May 2011

 

 

The Ethiopian Army has deployed since yesterday helicopter gunships and more than a division of its forces in the O'gaden in a bid to recapture and silence WFP workers liberated by ONLF on May 26 in Galalshe. The Liberation Army is doing its best to ensure that the WFP workers to be placed in safe and secure hands.

 

ONLF has already contacted the UN regarding this matter and is trying to involve ICRC as a neutral observer.

 

The Ethiopian government, which relies on hiding War Crimes and Crimes against Humanity it commits by keeping away neutral parties from witnessing its heinous acts and then blatantly denying any claims from the victims, is gravely threatened by what the WFP workers may tell the world regarding the killing of their colleague and their subsequent abduction and imprisonment.

 

ONLF have taken adequate precautions in order to protect the workers and is requesting the UN to take a firm stand against the Ethiopian government’s attempt to stop the safe handover of the workers.

 

Issued by ONLF

[Faafan]

[The Zack]

Thanks for the update, Faafan.

 

Meles's ciyaal are confused now. Ina Ileey claimed that there wasn't any fighting in Galaalshe at all, and came back changed his words.

[The Zack]

ONLF has safely transfered the two WFP staff to UN representatives

 

The Oga'den National Liberation front has transferred the two WFP staff members to WFP representatives near the border of Somalia on June 27 2011. For almost a month the Ethiopian Army and security forces has set up many obstacles in order to stop all attempts by ONLF to hand over the two staff members. In order to save-guard the well-being of the workers, ONLF has decided to handover the two workers outside Ethiopia.

 

In a desperate bid to thwart the safe hand over of the staff members to the UN by the Oga'den National liberation Army, the Ethiopian army restricted the movement of the UN mission designated to deal with the situation, while mounting many attacks that were successfully repulsed. The details of those battles and others that occurred in June will be released in subsequent military communiqué.

 

ONLF is aware that the families of the two workers are under the scrutiny of the Ethiopian security forces who may pressure the WFP staff members to avoid blaming the Ethiopian Army.

 

O'gaden National Liberation Front

 

ONLF Communiqué Regarding Release of WFP workers

 

ONLFPress@onlf.org

[Liibaan]

Insha Allah Walaalaheyn ONLF/Western Somalia waa xoroobayaan,

 

Guul iyo Gobanimo ONLF/Western Somalia

[Xaaji Xunjuf]

^^^There is no such thing as Western Somalia the region is called the Somali region of Ethiopia or the O'gaden Desert

[The Zack]

Waar ka soco meesha yaa khaldaan, ain't nobody is asking you the name of the place.

[Xaaji Xunjuf]

Just being correct no need to be angry

[NASSIR]

Very good news about the struggle of ethnic Somalis in that region.

 

"The security dilemma is at its most vicious when commitments, strategy, or technology dictate that the only route to security lies through expansion. Status-quo powers must then act like aggressors; the fact that they would gladly agree to forgo the opportunity for expansion in return for guarantees for their security has no implications for their behavior. " Robert Jervis

 

^Give it an in-depth reflection.

[Taleexi]

NASSIR: Is this struggle of liberation winnable? hence given Ethiopia's almost double digits growth, the packing of the regime by the world powers coupled with the population density of 80 million.