2 October 2007

The Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) on behalf of the Somali people of Ogaden welcomes the passing of the Ethiopia Democracy and Accountability Act in the United States House of Representatives today. This act along with testimony provided at a related hearing has shown that it is possible to have a principled foreign policy that does not undermine the collective rights of peoples if there is political courage.

The US House of Representatives has shown that executing the global war on terrorism is not incompatible with the forceful promotion of human rights and democracy. It has rejected Ethiopia's current policy in Ogaden which deliberately creates an enabling environment for terrorism. The spirit of the legislation also supports the call made by members of the Alliance for Freedom & Democracy (AFD) to forge a just and better future.

The ONLF thanks the distinguished members of the House Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health who have shown that they will not look the other way as war crimes targeting the Somali people of Ogaden take place.

As noted by the Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Dr. Jandayi Frazer "A political solution is needed in the Ogaden that will both end the region’s historic marginalization and restore the commercial trade with Somalia to prevent a humanitarian crisis. "

The ONLF has long maintained that a comprehensive political solution in Ogaden is needed and reaffirms its commitment to work with those willing to build on
the political courage of the American Congress

The Somali people of Ogaden have long memories and they will not forget that the representatives of the American people thousands of miles away recognized
what the Ethiopian regime only a few hundred miles away has repeatedly and falsely denied is taking place in Ogaden.

Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF)
onlfpress@onlf.org