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PDFThe Ogaden Peace Talks: Public Relations Stunt or Genuine Initiative?
By Jawar Mohammed*
It is reported that the Ethiopian government has held another round of peace talks with the Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) in Nairobi. First announced by the Ethiopian government, the news is confirmed by the rebel group, which has listed the key procedural points on which preliminary agreement has been reached. This was followed by another announcement that the Swedish journalists sentenced to 11 years after they were caught in Ogaden have been pardoned. This is an interesting development, but might not necessarily be a game changer for the conflict.
Why now?
The negotiation, which is being mediated by Kenya, has been going on for about a year according to sources taking part in the process. The latest round of negotiation was attended by a high level delegation from both sides: the government was represented by the defense minister, while the Ogadenis sent the commander of the army, head of its diplomatic section and prominent intellectuals representing civic society. Therefore, it seems each side wanted to make this appear a serious undertaking, and they have already achieved that as the news has gone viral among the international media. However, the timing of the current announcement and history of the prior relation between the two parties makes us doubtful.
– Read the Full Article (GulelePost.com)
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* Jawar Mohammed is a political analyst and a graduate student at Columbia University. He can be reached at jawarmd@gmail.com. His articles can be accessed at www.GulelePost.com
2 Comments
Galaagalee Sabaa said,
September 11, 2012 @ 3:52 pm
This anylysis is very informative on the couse of nagatation woyyane always use as either to divide or weaken the waring party. The same is true for Oromos who are romoured in nagotation.
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Laamalooshe said,
September 12, 2012 @ 1:41 am
Jawhars analysis shows that he has inside information. Either he got his information from the ONLF side or the Ethiopian side. Probably from the Ethiopian side. He references to the members of the ONLF delegation and not to the Ethiopian delegation. Another factual error he makes is that he says that Ethiopia first announced it. We know that ONLF issued a press statement and then Berek the clown put his spin on the story.
in general negotiations are part of the political game, but the alliance for freedom and democracy must be wary of the Woyane machinations. I am confident that ONLF leadership will not fall for this trap and abandon the struggle of the majority Southern peoples rights to self-determination. On the other hands, its is unfair for the Ogaden people to bear the brunt of the Abyssinian brutality while others confine their struggle to words and the web. Wake up guys.
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