The Zack Posted October 19, 2012 The second round of peace talks between the Oga'den National Liberation Front and the Ethiopian government mediated by Kenya was held in Nairobi between 15 to 17 October 2012. Abdirahman Mahdi, ONLF Foreign Bureau Secretary, led the ONLF delegation. The Ethiopian delegation was led by the Defense Minister Seraj Fegesa. The Kenyan government mediation team was led by Kenyan Defense Minister H.E. Mohamed Yusuf Haji. The Kenyan government hosted the talks. The Ethiopian government requested the Kenyan government to facilitate talks with the ONLF. Then the Kenyan government approached ONLF, who accepted the invitation to engage in the process in a genuine and principled way. In the first formal talks, the process went smoothly and the parties reached an agreement on the modalities, general principles and an agenda for the talks. In the second round of the talks, the Ethiopian government delegation did not respect the principles agreed upon. These stated that “the holding of negotiations must be in accordance with mutually acceptable principles and no preconditions shall be made to negate the inherent character and purpose of the peace negotiations.” Instead the Ethiopian delegation tabled a contentious issue that was a key element of the conflict, by insisting that the continuation of the talks depends on the ONLF accepting the Ethiopian constitution. Unfortunately, the Ethiopian delegation blocked any attempts for the talks to move forward by imposing this precondition. The ONLF position on the constitution is that it must reflect the will of the people and that the Somali people never exercised a referendum on the constitution. ONLF believes that the solution of the conflict in the Oga'den can only be achieved by accepting the principles of the right to exercise their self-determination without any preconditions or restrictions. The peace process is supposed to address differences between the two sides on all issues. The ONLF proposed that the parties continue to talk in the spirit of the initial agreement and start with confidence building measures that will lay a fruitful and conducive environment for tackling the impasse at a later stage. The ONLF is willing to continue engaging in a principled peace process with the Ethiopian government. The ONLF Oct 17, 2012 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Xaaji Xunjuf Posted October 19, 2012 Expected the Ethiopian government was not serious about these talks to begin with. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Zack Posted October 19, 2012 War Xabashi doqonsanaa... accept our constitution kulahaa LOL. Great job, the ONLF! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Zack Posted October 19, 2012 Xaaji Xunjuf;881105 wrote: Expected the Ethiopian government was not serious about these talks to begin with. They are retarded. They think the ONLF is like the Itixaad that surrendered for nothing. I heard the Kenyans and the EU/AU reps were shocked with the ridiculous demand of the Xabashis. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Che -Guevara Posted October 19, 2012 Habashi only respect brute force. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Zack Posted October 19, 2012 ^True and that is what they have been getting and they will keep getting. Now, they are not trusting the Liyu Police any more so they will have their fight on their own. That would be a win for the ONLF. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Che -Guevara Posted October 19, 2012 ^Where's this? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Zack Posted October 19, 2012 ^This is Nairobi. The ONLF delegates held a press conference when the Xabashis got mad and left the table. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Somalia Posted October 19, 2012 Your fellow Ethiopians are taking you for a ride here. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Naxar Nugaaleed Posted October 19, 2012 Great news maxa la Oran jirey amxaar hadal na kare xabad ba karta Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
