SomaliNet Forums

It is good to see young Absame American intellectuals supporting the upcoming peace talks that is expected to put an end to the over century old bleeding.
---

IHASA welcomes peace talks between Ethiopian gov't and ONLF



San Diego, 12-Sep-2012 - The U.S. based Institute for Horn of Africa Studies and Affairs (IHASA) has welcomed the preliminary peace talks between the Ethiopian government and the Ogaden National Liberation (ONLF).

In a statement sent via email to Wabishabeele, IHASA - which has repeatedly emphasized the need for peace in the Somali Regional State in its prior press releases - urged both parties to attain an effective ceasefire immediately and to reach a peace settlement.

"IHASA would like to extend a great deal of gratitude to the Kenyan government for their meditation and for providing the venue and an atmosphere conducive for these talks to take place. IHASA urges both parties to take immediate confidence-building measures, including pardoning prisoners... and show patience and sheer determination until a lasting political solution is found," IHASA said in its statement.

Both the Ethiopian government and the ONLF have confirmed that these peace talks took place on Thursday and Friday of last week in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi.

Organizations like IHASA have been instrumental in promoting peace talks, and addressing the vast social predicament which lies at the root of the instability in Somali Regional State.

The peace talks between the Ethiopian government and the ONLF come just a little over two weeks after the death of Ethiopia's prime minister Meles Zenawi. ONLF said the peace process has been months in the making.

"In 1960, the U.S. State Department made the correct assessment that 'Peace in the Horn of Africa depends in large measure on the stabilization, if not the ultimate solution of the Ogaden Province of Ethiopia.' (Kennedy Library, National Security Files, Brubeck Series, Somalia. Confidential. Drafted by Newsom on August 24. A handwritten notation on the source text reads: 'Sent to Mr. Bundy for info. Aug. 26. S.B.),'" IHASA said.

U.S. has several times urged Ethiopian government to make peace with the ONLF. US Congressman told The Standard last month that American government prefers ruling Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) to reach out the opposition in the Ogaden region (Somali Regional State).

Well known for its extreme food insecurity associated with prolonged conflict and drought, Somali Regional State is believed to be rich with natural gas reserves estimated at four trillion cubic feet.

Read my location...

I think ONLF leaders should compile a list of changes to be made before there can be talks. Accepting every peace talk they offer just shows them how desperate we are for one and two This regime is notorious for being trecherous. I think we should pay no heed to their invitations until we get what we want.

Nacaskii wayaanada jeclaa waa la daydayan dhe. Saadashu waa guul.

Nimayow maxaa la sugayaa de tolow, waanu sugi la'nahay e.


gashaanle yaasha sare waan idin salaamay.

Guys, accepting peace talk is not the same as surrendering. ONLF military struggle has to be complimented with political vision to measure a bench mark of the goals it expects to achieve. It is Ethiopia that always opposed talks by rejecting to held the talks out side of Ethiopia but have finally come to terms that it can not suppress the will of the people, ONLF will continue the struggle for self determination until they take the last breath. In 1994, after Ogaden people democratically elected their own Ogaden Assembly and also in accordance to the Ethiopian Federal constitution they overwhelming chose to part away from the rest of the Ethiopia. Meles went to the airwaves, rejecting the will of the Ogaden people and made a promise to bring the ONLF members on their knees within days.
How long has it been now? 19 years of fruitless genocide that produced nothing for Ethiopia. Failed to kill AUN Chairman Sh Ibrahim Abdalla, look at the economic perspective also, they failed to drill oil and finally failed to military control the region. With these circumstances in mind as a result of their misjudgment of the ONLF, Ethiopia finally come to its senses and removed the basic obstacle to any negotiation by accepting the talks to take place at a third neutral country with the presence of the international community. After that the plan for talks started going forward and this is what we see now. Let’s wait and see what comes out of these talks, we are not expecting Ethiopia to sign Ogaden to be independent here but there are crucial points that both ONLF leadership and Ethiopian regime to put on the table that might kick start some sort of a ceasefire if agreed upon by both sides.