Negotiations between the ONLF and the Ethiopian Government:

[Xaaji Xunjuf]

Negotiations between the ONLF and the Ethiopian

Government: How can a lasting peace be attained in the

Somali Region?

By Karamarda Group

May 01, 2012

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________*

Introduction:

Every now and then efforts aimed at resolving the long standing conflict between the ONLF and

the Ethiopian government surface. Some of the notable ones include: Abdurahman Khalif

Dhicis’s initiative in the late 1990s, the 2006 initiative that involved ten Somali elders, and the

direct military-to-military negotiations that led to the death of Deq Abdi Rasin and three other

ONLF military commanders. None of these efforts have produced meaningful outcomes. Lately,

Somali Regional State (SRS) citizens have been discussing reports about possible negotiations

between the ONLF and the Ethiopian government in the coming few months. In this paper we

would discuss incentives and disincentives that may bring the two antagonists to the negotiating

table. We would also explore scenarios and possible outcomes of the planned negotiations. Our

main argument is that a lasting and just peace can be attained only if the Somali people’s long

quest for self-determination is addressed. Additionally, we would touch on why we are deeply

skeptical about TPLF’s intentions.

 

http://www.wardheernews.com/Articles%202012/May/01_Paper%20on%20negotiations%20between%20ONLF%20and%20Ethiopia_karamarda.pdf