OLF Statement on the Deepening Violence in Oromia.
July 2, 2022
The conflict-ridden Horn of Africa is facing a critical moment in this period. An incident in one
part of the region drags more chain of violence in another. OLF believes the issue must be
handled ingeniously. Yet the Ethiopian Prosperity Party leaders are behaving recklessly. The
suffering of people, death, displacement and hunger are seen as habitual. Repent of past
mistakes is not thought of.
Recently, Presidents of Amhara and Oromia regional states announced, in Bahir Dar, a new
pact to conduct war to wipe out the “rebels” (Oneg Shane) in Oromia. Following this pact, military
convoys of the Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF) with heavily armed security forces
have entered Oromia in a different directions from Amhara Regional State.
Several rounds of such brutal and violent responses against the deep-rooted political problems
in Ethiopia have turned out to be futile. What featured were killings of civilians, children, youth,
older men and women, burning of villages, destruction of crops on the field and in the granaries,
suffering and displacement. Currently, Ethiopia harbors the largest internally displaced people
in the Horn of Africa. The hunger of thousands of people is already recorded. Famine is looming.
Attempts at resolving political problems through violent means have proved inconsequential in
Oromia over the last 50 years. This time around, the impact of the violence would be much
dearer than ever as the intensity of the response is huge.
We call upon the presidents of both regions to call off this offensive, end this violence and resolve
the conflict through peaceful means. We would remind them that the responsibility for further
bloodshed, deepening the already complex contradiction, suffering and displacement of the
civilians is on the leaders.
We also call upon the other regions of Ethiopia not to take part in this action for the sake of our
people’s mutual benefit, friendship and fraternity and the peaceful coexistence of peoples that is
so needed in this troubled region of the Horn.
Victory to the Masses!
Oromo Liberation Front
July 2, 2022
Finfinnee, Oromi