Oromo Liberation Army welcomes government’s move to embrace dialogue

GOOBJOOG NEWS | ADDIS ABABA: The Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) has said it welcomes the move by the Ethiopian government to call for dialogue as a means to resolve the ongoing conflict in Ethiopia.

In a statement, OLA stated that the peaceful negotiations should involve an “independent third-party mediator” and that the Ethiopian government should maintain transparency throughout the process.

However, OLA said it objects the government’s continued reference of their organization as “Shene” maintaining that they should be referred to by the right name of their organization, OLA.

“Our organization’s name is the Oromo Liberation Army and any other designation is incorrect and an attempt to misinterpret our identity and objectives. We urge the regime to cease disseminating this kind of disinformation,” OLA said in a statement.

OLA further stated that since the beginning of the conflict, the organization has consistently called for peaceful dialogue as a way to resolve the stalemate saying that military solutions would not bring about the desired outcomes for the Oromo people and the Ethiopian people in general.

“OLA remains unwavering in its commitment to engaging in constructive dialogue and working towards a peaceful resolution that addresses the grievances and aspirations of the Oromo people,” it stated.

Adding, “We are hopeful that this development marks the beginning of a transformative chapter in our pursuit of justice, equality and self-determination.”

The Ethiopian government has outlawed the OLA movement which says it is fighting against marginalization of the Oromo people, the largest ethnic group in Ethiopia who make up more than a third of the population, including president Abiy Ahmed himself, who was born in Beshasha, a town in the Oromia region of Ethiopia

Both the OLA and Ethiopia’s federal government blame each other for a number of attacks in the Oromia Region.

• By Fauxile Kibet