Addis Ababa, August 8, 2007 – The Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) in eastern Ethiopia has warned foreign oil companies to desist from exploration in Ogaden region otherwise drastic actions would be taken against them.

The killing of 65 Ethiopians and 9 Chinese oil workers by ONLF fighters in Ogaden three months ago had scared the Chinese government from oil exploration activities in the area.

“Recent sensational claims by the Ethiopian regime that it has been able to realize military gains in Ogaden have no basis in reality and are designed to give a false sense of security to oil companies being urged by the regime not to abandon their exploration plans in Ogaden,” the ONLF countered in a statement, maintaining that its "forces are largely intact, operational and effective.”

“We also wish to confirm that the regime of Meles Zenawi does not have effective control of Ogaden, a factor which has contributed to their policy of denying entry to international journalists and expulsion of the ICRC.”

The ONLF said “pursuing oil and natural gas exploration activities in Ogaden at this stage can only be characterized as gross corporate irresponsibility given the war crimes being committed against our civilian population.”

The eastern rebel group expresses commitment to continue upholding the principles of justice, democracy and respect for human rights before oil exploration in Ogaden. The ONLF says it will not allow the Ethiopian government to “benefit from our peoples natural resources.”

The eastern rebels have not been at ease with the Ethiopian government’s recent announcement that it had killed over 200 ONLF rebels and captured 170.

Addis Ababa government accuses the ONLF of exploding two bombs in Jijiga on Sunday. In its bid to wipe out the rebels, the Ethiopian government had asked journalists and aid workers to quit the Ogaden region for security reasons.

Human rights groups blame the government of cracking down on civilians in the process, a claim vehemently denied by the Ethiopian government Spokesman, Zemedkun Tekle. He said government has already captured most of group’s members.

The ONLF describes the government’s claims as "a despicable act of desperation by cronies of the Ethiopian regime." It accuses the government agents of setting off bombs in the region to justify attacks.

Source: The Afrol News