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Ethiopia: Conference in Toronto highlights Ogaden Human Rights issues

July 7, 2012 · 3173915 Comments2012-07-08+02%3A25%3A51Qalinle+Hussein

ONLF and Ogaden members meet in Toronto, Canada (HOL).

TORONTO — Members of the Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF), a rebel group fighting for independence for an ethnically Somali part of Ethiopia, have held their annual conference in Toronto, Canada, on Friday.

The three-day conference was organized by members of the Ogaden Diaspora community and participants came from far and wide — all seven continents.

Friday’s inaugural event was a flashy, exhilarating spectacle featuring Somali music and traditional dances as well as patriotic songs for the movement. Members of the Canadian mainstream society were also present at the convention.

The event, spearheaded by prominent political panels, highlighted the current political and social situation in the Ogaden region, which borders Somalia and is settled mainly ethnic Somali tribes.

ONLF and Ogaden members meet in Toronto, Canada (HOL)

The ONLF accuses the Ethiopian military of routinely killing Somali civilians and burning villages in an effort to displace them from their land.

Admiral Mohamed Omar Osman, chairman of ONLF, touched on a proposed peace talks between his group and the Tigray dominated government of Addis Ababa, which Kenya offered to mediate.

He said he was optimistic about the proposed agreement between his movement and the Ethiopian regime during his teleconference address on Friday. The scope of the proposed dialogue is not clear as the Admiral did not specify any details but some people have speculated that ONLF might agree to disarm its rebels.

The members of the ONLF central committee including Mohamed Abdi Yasin “Diirane” spoke there about the known abuses against the civilians. He presented a comedy show that highlighted some of the current Human Rights issues.

Some of the participants who spokes there briefed on issues such as oil exploration which they said was illegal and the locals did not have access to its wealth.

They warned foreign firms not to explore in the region against their will as the indigenous people.

The ONLF has been fighting the Ethiopian regime for over three decades.

Somalilandpress

July 7, 2012

Follow @somalilandpress

By Qalinle Hussein

Tags: Australia, Canada, Ethiopia, Meles Zenawi, ONLF, Toronto

misslovely says:

who cares about the slave of east africa their moster ethopia and what they been up to

9:17 pm on July 7, 2012

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- DaughterOfSomalia says:
  
  Who cares about muslims?. I do. What a wicked, compassionless, monster you are. Insha Allah your day will come when you will face worser suffering then those innocent muslims are enduring.
  
  11:43 pm on July 7, 2012
  
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  - Somaliaqueen says:
    
    Ignore her, she is blinded by hate. Maybe something happen to her in the past, May ALLAH SWT guide her to the right path. Ameen
    
    5:01 am on July 8, 2012
    
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- minilik says:
  
  here is the garoob again. you are ugly and i know you misslaughly personaly.
  
  5:00 am on July 8, 2012
  
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  - arab says:
    
    what is wrong with garoob They are my favorite easy kill.
    
    5:38 am on July 8, 2012
    
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- Somaliland says:
  
  They call Somalilanders the slaves of Ethiopia whilst we know who truly are- the Ogadens
  
  11:15 am on July 8, 2012
  
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  - xasan says:
    
    Lool the "Ogaden" region consist of 9 regions and the slaves are certaintly not only ogadeens but all somali clans who live there…
    
    4:22 am on April 10, 2013
    
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Kayse says:

ONLF has to change its strategy towards Ethiopia. Rather than investing in arms, which makes you look like the terrorist and gives Ethiopia an excuse to marginalize the populas…it should adopt a different strategy.

It can invest in pro-democratic movements which would get help and support from the international community including financial aid. It could also set up independent television, radio and other media watch dogs across the region who watch, maintain and record Ethiopia's abuses.

The international community will back an ONLF armed with cameras, surveillance equipment, democratic ideologies and this will dismantle the Ethiopian regime because at one point the world will realize and see the truth. Like Eritrea, Syrian regime they will put hefty sanctions against them and eventually the Ethiopians will blame the new measure on each others and Meles will face intense internal rift.

Gun used to be the way to win but in today's age of technology—ONLF has to invest in technology—facebook, twitter, TV, radios, blogging, mass journalism, it has to drum up the international media and human rights.

The more reporters and media Ethiopia arrests like those Swedish reporters, the more nations will turn against them and will cut trade, aid and even military supplies.

This will roll back the Ethiopian regime and within 10-20 years it will be fully dismantled by larger groups like Oromo.

ONLF must adopt new tactics and influence the international community, Ethiopia's weakness is the freedom of the press…it must push that and exploit that to the maximum so they can get the international condemnations.

Wadan kastaba meshu sensitive ka yahaay ba laga daba gaala, Ethiopia is fearful of media. The international community loves media….exploit that

9:35 pm on July 7, 2012

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minilik says:

true that keyse

4:59 am on July 8, 2012

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misslovely says:

MINILIK
DO YOU THINK I CARE IF YOU KNOW ME YOU FAQASH TWAT JUST STAY AWAY FROM THIS WEBSITE YOU FAQASH LOSER I DON'T CARE ABOUT YOU OR OTHER FAQASH

5:15 am on July 8, 2012

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- nidaam says:
  
  misslovely.
  It seems lately you become out of control wheelbarrow. stop taking what your taking currently.
  
  5:34 am on July 8, 2012
  
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adifataax says:

Any straigle in human history never win alone negotiation specialy in africa. arm wing and other means including using The media should run side by side with The right balance and measurement.

5:25 am on July 8, 2012

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khaatumo citizen says:

I support abdi illay and his Liyuu police even thoe i can't stand Ethiopian flag. the region needs development it's time to put the guns down, Ogaadeen alone can't liberate the region besides they not the only tribe who live in the region so why do they have to be ones to die for if other tribes airnt willing to participate.

the liberation of kilinka 5aad depends on one strong united somalia which is not gona happen next 40 years or so..

9:21 am on July 8, 2012

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- amal says:
  
  Liyu police are ruthless Ethiopian dogs. Habashis violate human rights killing, raping women and children and then arming another Somali nomads (liyu) against them and against other Somalis in places like Gashamo. So basically Ethiopians are exploiting Somali problems because of our status quo.
  
  You support them because they hosted khatumo seeg thugs who became dismantled now. But in reality all these is to Ethiopian advantage. They will never recognize somaliland because then Somaliland can stand up for itself and closely work with Mogadishu in partnership instead of Addis nor do they want a united Somalia that is too strong for them.
  
  Nevertheless, I'm sure we'll work something out.
  
  6:31 pm on July 8, 2012
  
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  - khaatumo citizen says:
    
    dismantled inaabti stop believing these propagandas, khaatumo khair gets strong by day.
    
    besides that's not the reason I support, ONLF have been fighting with Ethiopia for the last 2 decates all the other tribes turned their back on them spying and working with Habashis now ONLF are out of the picture they have to calacal ogeedan baa nalayaay. Abdi illay (president of zone 5) is a smart guy knows what is best for the region viva East Ethiopia.
    
    what is stoping somaliland to work with Magadishu now, NOTHING. we all know Faroole and Sii'layo both are Ethiopian puppets but nowadays they have throught Abidi illay to see thier Master Zenawi.
    I feel sorry for somalis wallahi they are enemies of each other..
    
    7:17 pm on July 8, 2012
    
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