From Entoto Forum for Social Justice (EFSJ)
In a brief statement released today, the ODF has disclosed that it had a two-day talk with a high level Ethiopian government delegation. Apart from and in addition to the very encouraging development in the mutual understanding between the ODF and the Ethiopian government, the statement adds that the government delegation has expressed readiness and commitment to hold talks with all entities that are engaged in peaceful struggle.
Here is the complete statement released by the ODF under the title “የኦሮሞ ዴሞክራሲያዊ ግንባር (ኦዴግ) ከኢትዮጲያ መንግስት ጋር ያደረገውን ንግግር ኣስመልክቶ መግለጫ” (PDF). One important message in the statement is addressed to the opposition in the country and abroad that claims to be engaged in armed struggle. It calls the said opposition to examine its mode of struggle and take measures to opt for peaceful struggle.
From statements the ODF has made in the past and the speeches and interviews its leaders, it is not engaged in armed struggle and has no intention to be engaged in one, but it was not opposed to those who have chosen armed struggle. It appears that today’s statement heralds an end to this mixed signal which has been a huge disappointment to those who know armed struggle cannot lead to a democratic system.
Committed to peaceful struggle backed by elections, EFSJ congratulates ODF for clarifying its ambiguous position on armed struggle and its call for the opposition to opt for a peaceful one. If its call to the said opposition goes unheeded, EFSJ encourages the ODF to break ranks and continue its talks with the government with the intention to return to the country.
EFSJ also urges the Ethiopian government to maintain its position that talks are only possible with the peaceful opposition.
From Entoto Forum for Social Justice (EFSJ)
In a brief statement released today, the ODF has disclosed that it had a two-day talk with a high level Ethiopian government delegation. Apart from and in addition to the very encouraging development in the mutual understanding between the ODF and the Ethiopian government, the statement adds that the government delegation has expressed readiness and commitment to hold talks with all entities that are engaged in peaceful struggle.
Here is the complete statement released by the ODF under the title “የኦሮሞ ዴሞክራሲያዊ ግንባር (ኦዴግ) ከኢትዮጲያ መንግስት ጋር ያደረገውን ንግግር ኣስመልክቶ መግለጫ” (PDF). One important message in the statement is addressed to the opposition in the country and abroad that claims to be engaged in armed struggle. It calls the said opposition to examine its mode of struggle and take measures to opt for peaceful struggle.
From statements the ODF has made in the past and the speeches and interviews its leaders, it is not engaged in armed struggle and has no intention to be engaged in one, but it was not opposed to those who have chosen armed struggle. It appears that today’s statement heralds an end to this mixed signal which has been a huge disappointment to those who know armed struggle cannot lead to a democratic system.
Committed to peaceful struggle backed by elections, EFSJ congratulates ODF for clarifying its ambiguous position on armed struggle and its call for the opposition to opt for a peaceful one. If its call to the said opposition goes unheeded, EFSJ encourages the ODF to break ranks and continue its talks with the government with the intention to return to the country.
EFSJ also urges the Ethiopian government to maintain its position that talks are only possible with the peaceful opposition.