Press Release
On
The Situation in Somalia and the April 24 2007 Indiscriminate Mass Killings in the Ogaden, Somali Region
By
CUDP, UEDF & OFDM
We are gravely concerned by the continued involvement of the Ethiopian Armed Forces in the internal conflict in Somalia. It is to be recalled that Prime Minister Meles Zenawi reported to the Parliament on two occasions, on December 2006 and March 2007 that the Ethiopian Army deployed in Somalia would be soon recalled. Since then, we have not seen the promised complete withdrawal of Ethiopian soldiers from Somalia. On the contrary, we have been hearing and reading from the various media services that the Ethiopian government has continued deploying its army in Somalia. And the fighting between the Ethiopian Army and the army of the TFG of Somalia, on one side, and the remnants of UIC and clan militias on the other, has been intensified. There are also reports about many Ethiopian soldiers been killed in the war. It is needless to say that we are shocked and stunned that so many of our countrymen are being sacrificed in a war that has not resulted from a proven violation of Ethiopia's territorial integrity or security.
As a highly informed and credible sector of the population of Somalia has been clearly and loudly voicing the interference of foreign forces in the internal conflict of Somalia has become a hindrance to the reconciliation process of the Somali people in Somalia, we are seriously concerned that Ethiopia's deep involvement in the conflict in Somalia is becoming divisive among the Somalis. Furthermore, given the historical negative perception Somalia nationals, on the average, have towards Ethiopia, it is most prudent for Ethiopia to limit its involvement, in the internal conflict of Somalia, to what was multilaterally agreed on the IGAD, AU and UN fora. We also strongly feel that Ethiopia’s good name must be clear from the allegations of excessive use of force and of holding prisoners in a manner that breaches International Conventions.
We also strongly feel that the withholding of information from the Parliament, regarding the number of Ethiopian troops deployed in Somalia, the amount of financial resources committed and spent for the engagement of the troops in the last 4 months and the number of casualties since the conflict broke out, is absolutely unacceptable and is inconsistent with a system of government that should supposedly be functioning by respecting the democratic principles of separation of power as provided for in the Constitution of the land. The financial implications of such military undertaking are enormous, which our impoverished country cannot afford.
On another note, we express our deepest sympathy to the families of the victims of the massacre in Ogden, Somali Region on April 24, 2007. However, we maintain that the failure of the Ethiopian government to provide adequate protection to the victimized work force was deplorable. In view of this bitter experience, we once again want to reiterate our position on the propriety of engaging in talks and negotiations with all Ethiopian insurgent and other opposition forces to arrive at lasting solutions to guarantee peace and security in this country.
We therefore demand that the Ethiopian government,
1. Immediately provide complete information to the Parliament on all aspects of its involvement in the Somalia conflict.
2. Must form a Parliamentary Committee that would review the conduct of the Ethiopian army and the security forces in their involvement in the Somalia conflict and all matters related to it.
3. In view of the information that is being provided by the government, that "… the situation in Somalia is under control and stabilizing…", immediately and unconditionally complete the withdrawal of Ethiopian Army from Somalia and put pressure on the AU and UN to deploy the agreed peace keeping mission in full force.
4. Must provide maximum protection and security to all development projects and the personnel who work on them, to avoid deplorable incidents such as the one in Ogaden, Somali Region, in the future. The victims of the indiscriminate killings must receive an honorable official burial ceremony.
5. Must engage in serious talks and negotiations, without placing prohibitive preconditions, with all Ethiopian insurgent and other opposition groups to seek solutions to the existing outstanding issues raised by these groups.
Signed:
CUDP _________________________________________________________
UEDF _________________________________________________________
OFDM ________________________________________________________
Date ____________2007
Addis Ababa