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Ethiopia’s Government in Peace Talks with Ogaden Rebels

September 8, 2012 · 3477117 Comments2012-09-08+23%3A26%3A11SomalilandPress

Saturday, September 08, 2012

Ethiopia’s government is in peace talks with the Ogaden National Liberation Front, an outlawed ethnic-Somali rebel group, Communications Minister Bereket Simon said.

“It’s a very positive step and we will pursue negotiations up to the last and try to bring all concerned in that area to the constitutional framework,” Bereket said in a phone interview from the capital, Addis Ababa, today.

Principles to end the 28-year conflict in the Ogaden area of Ethiopia’s Somali regional state were agreed during initial talks on Sept. 6 and Sept. 7 in Nairobi, the rebel group said in an e-mailed statement today.

The Ogaden National Liberation Front has fought a low-level insurgency in the area with natural gas reserves of 4 trillion cubic feet since 1984, seeking greater autonomy. In April 2007, the group attacked a site operated by China’s Zhongyuan Petroleum Exploration Bureau, killing nine Chinese workers and 65 Ethiopians.

An unspecified date has been agreed for more talks facilitated by the Kenyan government and attended by Ethiopia’s Minister of Defence Siraj Fergasa and ONLF Foreign Secretary Abdirahman Mahdi, the rebel group said.

The talks occurred after armed insurgents indicated they wanted to take the “peaceful avenue,” Bereket said. “It’s in this spirit that talks have started,” he said.

The government signed a peace deal with a faction of the group in October 2010, since when it has denied occasional claims of successful attacks on security forces by rebels.

An e-mail and phone calls to U.S. and U.K. numbers for Mahdi were not immediately answered.

To contact the reporter on this story: William Davison in Addis Ababa via Johannesburg at pmrichardson@bloomberg.net.

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Antony Sguazzin at asguazzin@bloomberg.net

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By SomalilandPress

Tags: Ethiopia, negotiations, ONLF, Peace, War

mohamed cheers says:

It's anxiously hoped that the story is true enough. From time to time, things like this pop up
but never takes real stage. There's no other way for the ONLF but ultimate momentum peace
with the ruling powers of Central Govt in Addis Ababa. Ogaden are the minorities to the majorities
of the Somali Galbeed State of Ethiopia, and without majorities the ONLF can never win a guerilla
warfare insurgency. The Natural Gas reserves in the Region may become also a disputed
political issues for Somaliland's annexed 1953/1954 Hawd Reserved zones in the same Somali
Galbeed Region.Don't forget the Hawd reserved zone's is different than the somali Galbeed in
nature. All Onlf insurgency should not miss this lifetime opportunity after which Somaliland,
Djibouti, and all Somali Galbeed under Ethiopia could play better economical politics for the
good of the Horn,E.A.AU and beyond. Somalia Roadmap is a difficult prorated different politics.
Cheers.

10:58 pm on September 8, 2012

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- hawd says:
  
  stop writing garbage and nonsense.
  
  2:10 am on September 9, 2012
  
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MASLAX says:

mohamed cheers

what on earth are you talking about ?
ogaden a minority in ogaden?
somlailand djibouti under ethiopia?

are you chweing the mirra khat these days

4:05 am on September 9, 2012

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- mohamed cheers says:
  
  Did I Say Somaliland Djibouti under Ethiopia..I meant only Somali galbeed only, but after
  the Onlf lay down their weak struggle with no chance to win in gueirilla warfare insurgency,
  then the three nations could co-operate on eco-politics issues. Looks like you misunderstood
  my comments. Trust me, there are no different political interests between ONLF,Somaliland
  and Djibouti and Ethiopia is no exception.
  Cheers.
  
  6:37 am on September 9, 2012
  
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WADANI says:

Lol..

The hate you have for Ogaden cloud your judgment, when was Ogaden ever a minority in their own land, second, what makes you think you will be able to annex Haud, while you are occupying Sool, Snaag, iyo Cayn in the pretext of colonial borders, Ogaden Republic is a dream coming true, and we will be recognized, while you still beg the world for recognition. Is@@q is the reason why Ogaden is still under occupation, the hate you have for us overshadows your mind and will eventually bring you to your demise. Long Live ONLF..!!

4:31 am on September 9, 2012

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- whineforit says:
  
  Firstly, Annexation has been abolished. Hawd is a reserve area because the law changed after the Somali Galbeed regions were annexed. Secondly, Isaaq lost land too and they have no reason to hate you but you have a reason to hate us apparently. Trying to pity the Somalis against each other by setting one after another will not work anymore.
  
  8:27 am on September 9, 2012
  
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- osman5 says:
  
  Wadani,
  It doesn't matter whether one group of tribesmen claimed themselves as a majority of Ogaden region,
  the land is inhabited by Somali background nomads and it falls under the Ethiopian government jurisdiction. The ONLF has been fueling insurgent fights with Ethiopia to have semi autonomy for Ogaden region more than 28 yrs. with plenty of shortfalls.
  
  Finally, the insurgent group has realized its time to reconcile with Ethiopia to minimize the human casualties on their side, on the other hand, the government of Ethiopia is looking into if the truce by the rebels is acceptable.
  
  East African affairs experts, however, believe the notion of the rebels reconciliatory gesture should be deemed a weakening signal of ONFL. Thus, the ONFL cannot be categorized a republic nation, In fact, the ONFL is disengaging by itself. Now, I'm wondering who's being impaired in a great deal when it comes to the current world affairs.
  
  Osman Qaal
  
  10:10 am on September 9, 2012
  
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JWXO says:

Reer Sheikh Ishaaq, please lets work together, enough with the hate, you help us and we help you, Zanawi is dead and ethiopia will never recognize Somaliland, so walalayaal, abtiyal, stop your obsession, anger and hate towards your fellow Ogaden brotheren. Somalinimo is key, when we become independent we will recognize Somaliland, (SSC-Khaatumo state excluded off-course, non-negotiable) kkkkkkkk

4:41 am on September 9, 2012

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- mohamed cheers says:
  
  reer sheikh ishaaq aint the only tribes in Somali Galbeed..if you want real peace talk
  in more idealistic nature recognizing Somaliland and Djibouti as qaran Govts and not
  as fitna tribes. On this basis, the Somali Galbeed and Hawd Reserved annexed zones
  would be treated as one people and clear understanding of non-hostilites would bring
  about real peace and eco-politics exchanges etc. Am I wrong here.
  Cheers.
  
  6:59 am on September 9, 2012
  
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mohamed cheers says:

Folks, brothers and sisters, dont get wild on me lol. When I said ogaden is minorities in
Somali Galbeed State, I meant when you count all other tribes including Isaaaq?
Aint they the majorities?
Cheers.

6:41 am on September 9, 2012

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- hussen wadani says:
  
  when you add them all together still Ogadeen are the majoirty. stop daydreaming.
  as long as somaliland is part of somalia then we ogaden have no problem to be under Ethiopia.
  
  7:06 am on September 9, 2012
  
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  - mohamed cheers says:
    
    Dead wrong. That's your mentality like Kayse the lone black sheep.
    Cheers.
    
    7:31 am on September 9, 2012
    
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  - Dhuguse says:
    
    Hussen Wadani
    If you add Hartis, Jidwaaq, Marehan, Geri Kobe etc. may be you could argue the Da*ods are the majority otherwise I have great reservations about it. Gare, Ha*iye, Dir, Gurgure, Ise, Shiiqaash, Akishe, Barsuug, Samaron, Is**q and many other non-Da*od Somali clans live in Somali regions of Ethiopia and by calling all these Somali regions in Ethiopia as Ogadenia looks absurd to me and this will definitely backfire the needed unity amongst the Somalis and their destiny for the many years to come.
    
    8:00 am on September 9, 2012
    
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sahra says:

it is time to joint Somalia galbeed the rest of their brothers in Somalia talking time is over with our neighbors.

9:37 am on September 9, 2012

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whineforit says:

Truthfully. It is important to let people vote for themselves. If the Ethiopia Somali State/Somali Galbeed was to be taken for its merits. Then, they should take the path of voting for which future each and every individual wishes in that region. Why? Because it will settle many grey areas and arguments.

Somaliland should try to deliver this message to all troubled regions. Here say and lawlessness should no longer be accepted by all. Regardless of you're aspirations.

5:02 pm on September 9, 2012

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ONLFFORLIFE says:

Mohamed Cheers you are a dreamer. The Ogaden tribe is the majority in Ogadenia, everyone knows this but of course you are blinded by hatred and jealousy. When we sign the peace treaty with Ethiopia, an empire that ruled for 5,000 years, do you actually thing we would yeild to an ethnic minority in somaliland? Our young men and women who are sacrificing their lives to protect the Ogaden nation and in their bravery and might defeated the mighty Ethiopian empire into submission will not hastate a second to eliminate any threat from Somaliland. Somaliland is known to acquire lands that do not belong to them, we all know the indigenous lands of every Somali tribe, so please save you weak and contradictory claim to the Ogaden land. Ogaden will always belong to the ogaden people.

9:27 pm on September 9, 2012

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Ambition boy says:

You guys respect my abtiyaday isaq I love them and I am happy onlf & peac deal we are all one and all Somali I goog haaaaah

12:40 am on September 10, 2012

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