Fyr Posted July 19, 2005 Rebels approach Ethiopian govt 19/07/2005 14:54 - (SA) Addis Ababa - A separatist group on Tuesday offered to open peace talks with the government in an effort to end a low-level conflict in the lawless ****** region of eastern Ethiopia. The ****** National Liberation Front, which wants an independent state for ethnic Somalis who are the majority in the region, issued a statement saying it wanted talks in a neutral country and with an international mediator. Ethiopia's government would "respond positively" provided the rebels lay down their arms, according to a statement released by the foreign affairs ministry. The development comes after Prime Minister Meles Zenawi exchanged letters with ******'s community and clan elders in a bid to secure peace in the impoverished, desert-like region. The Muslim rebels have fought for the secession of the ****** region, an area the size of Britain and with four million people, since the early 1990s. It makes occasional hit and run attacks against government troops. United States forces have helped Ethiopian troops in anti-terror training in ******, which has a long porous border with anarchic Somalia. Last year, United States justice officials said Somali refugee Nuradin Abdi received military-style training in ****** before joining admitted al-Qaeda member Iyman Faris in Columbus, Ohio, in a foiled plot to blow up an unspecified shopping mall. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fyr Posted July 19, 2005 ETHIOPIA: ****** rebel group offers to end war 19 Jul 2005 15:16:16 GMT Source: IRIN ADDIS ABABA, 19 July (IRIN) - An armed rebel group waging a bloody guerrilla war in lawless eastern Ethiopia on Tuesday offered a truce to end its decade-old fight against the government. The ****** National Liberation Front (ONLF) offered peace talks in a neutral country to try to bring an end to the fighting that has plagued this arid region. The decision was announced in a statement following the exchange of letters between Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi and ******i clan elders in an attempt to secure peace in one of the poorest and most remote parts of the country. Key elections are scheduled to take place in the region in just over a month, which could tip the balance in Ethiopia's 15 May national elections, where partial results have the government and opposition parties on level pegging. "The ONLF is ready to engage in negotiations with the government in order to find a just and lasting solution to the conflict between the people of the ****** and Ethiopian regime if such talks are conducted in a neutral country," the statement said. "It is also vital that an internationally recognised entity is present to moderate the process," it added. In a separate statement, Ethiopia's foreign affairs ministry said the government would "respond positively" provided the rebels laid down their arms. "Community elders and clan leaders have requested the government for its readiness to hold discussions with ONFL to support its efforts and help it realise its peace initiatives," the ministry said. The rebels, ethnic Muslim Somalis, have fought for the secession of the ****** region, an area of four million people, since the early 1990s. An expert on the ONLF, Medhane Tadesse, said rapprochement with some factions of the rebel group had taken place in recent weeks. "The ONLF is a group that has created serious instability in the region," Medhane, author of 'Political Islam and the Black Economy', said. Insecurity in the ******, which borders Somalia, is one reason why national elections held in the rest of the country on 15 May were delayed in the region until August. Peace talks between the Ethiopian government and the rebels have broken down in the past, with both sides blaming each other. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
OLOL Posted July 19, 2005 one day the ONLF will win and liberate Somalis under the Abyssinian colonialism. Keep on the struggle! It took three long decades of fighting and struggle for the patient and brave Eritrean people to gain their freedom and independence. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Abdulladiif Al-Fiqih Posted July 19, 2005 This was Sky's repply Just few Days Ago. How can you get offer if you dont Exert Pressure on the Colonizers? ONLF has one goal and its getting closer to its goal by the hour!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Suldaanka Posted July 20, 2005 The ONLF now looks like it has turned its weapons to the local Somali nomads that do not share clan affiliations with them. here are the latest news from kilka shanaad. Fighting breaksout in Moholin district (Daroor) Dagaal faraha looga gubtay oo ka soconaya deegaanka Iimey bari ee ismaamulka Soomalida dalka Itoobiya ONLF ayaa xasuuq ka geystey meelo ka mid ah Kilinka shanaad ee ismaamulka Soomaalida Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sky Posted July 20, 2005 A-Ladiif you're right this is what I said 10 days ago: Anyhow, I think ONLF should put its guns down and start talks with Addis Ababa, because their inital goal is virtually impossible, at least for now it is. They should pursue Somalis in Ethiopia get their rightful share as 'Ethiopians'. Koley Life goes on doesn't it? I'm glad things are going as I wished them to be. The wellbeing of the Soomaali Galbeed people comes first. Then fight with a full stomach. Somali districts of Baabiile and Jinacsaney were shamelessly incorporated by the Oromia Regional State. Imagine the horror they are going through. Dire Dawa, a Somali city is lost. The Soomaali Galbeed people must strengthen itself in the Ethiopian platform and build from there to recover from their losses. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
General Duke Posted July 20, 2005 ^^^ Its a good move on the part of ONLF, as long as they can get a dignified peace... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
