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 Somalia:
Worsening security and abduction of ONLF members
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Dr.Abdullahi Mohamed (Deputy Editor Geeska Afrika
Online)
Djibouti (HAN) May 12th, 2008
1st, Mr Abdulkadir Hirmooge, 2nd Vice-Chairman of the
Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF)
2nd, Mr Meskerem Atalay, Chairman of the Ethiopian
People's Patriotic Front (EPPF)
3rd, Mr Dawud Ibsa, Chairman of the Oromo Liberation
Front (OLF)
4th, Mr Yoseph Yazew, Chairman of NA.Committee of the
Coalition for Unity and Democracy Party (CUDP)
5th, Mr Galfato Feqa, Chairman of the Sidama Liberation
Front (SLF)
6th, Mr Meazo Meke of the South Ethiopian Peoples
Justice & Equality Front (SEPJE) |
Somalia:
Worsening security and abduction of ONLF members
Addis Ababa (HAN) May
12th, 2008- Worsening security in the Somali breakaway region of
Puntland is choking off humanitarian efforts, donors and aid
agencies warned Friday, nearly two weeks after two UN staffers
escaped an ambush. This has prompted agencies to temporarily
reduce the number of international staff in the northeastern
region.
In recent days, International news sources have begun to spill
out of Ethiopia detailing human rights abuses in Somalia and
Eastern side. Human Rights Watch issued a report urging Ethiopia
to stop "abuses violate the laws of war in Somalia."
The Government of Ethiopia categorically rejects the allegations
of Amnesty International that Ethiopian troops in Somalia have
killed people by slitting their throats “like goats”. This is an
outright, and deliberate, lie, fed to Amnesty by groups
affiliated to Al-Shabaab, groups that use the cover of human
rights to promote their terrorist agenda.
The U.S. government considers Ethiopia an important ally in the
war on terror, since it shares borders with Eritrea, Sudan, and
Somalia, the latter invaded by Ethiopia this past Christmas with
Washington's approval. Ethiopia has not been able to extricate
itself from Somalia, and the military has been accused of
possible war crimes there. Mogadishu even has a new nickname:
"Baghdad on the Sea."
In addition to sending nearly half a billion dollars in aid
money to Ethiopia every year, more than to any other sub-Saharan
African country, the United States also supplies the Ethiopian
military with funds, arms, and special forces training from Army
Rangers.
ONLF Statement On Puntland's Abduction & Extraordinary
Rendition of ONLF Officials:
The Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) strongly condemns
the forced abduction, detention and extraordinary rendition of
two ONLF Central Committee members by the Puntland regional
administration in Somalia on 22nd of April 2008.
This act constitutes a clear violation of the United Nations
Convention Against Torture and other Forms of Cruel, Inhumane,
or Degrading Treatment as the two officials have a clear and
well founded fear of persecution including torture in Ethiopia.
The two ONLF political prisoners were removed by force from
their hotel in Garowe in central Somalia by security forces of
the Puntland administration.
After intense interrogation, they were then driven in the
personal vehicle of the Puntland Minister of Finance Mohamed Ali
Yusuf "Ga Gaab" to Ethiopian security forces waiting for them on
the Ogaden side of the border with Somalia.
One of the ONLF officials was in Puntland to protest the
deliberate killing of a citizen of Ogaden by Puntland security
forces in a jail in the northern city of Bosaaso and to assist
his family members. He was in regular contact with Puntland
officials who never objected to his presence. The other ONLF
official was in Puntland visiting his spouse and children. Both
were unarmed political figures and posed no threat to the
security of Puntland.
The ONLF considers this act to constitute a clear hostile intent
on the part of the Puntland regional administration toward the
people of Ogaden.
The consequences of this action shall be the sole responsibility
of the Puntland regional administration. Ogaden National
Liberation Front (ONLF)
Sources:
Geeska Afrika Magazine, HAN staff Reporter In
Bossaso
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SOMALI
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