Copenhagen, December 19, 2009 – Dozens of Ethiopian Diaspora members of the Oromo and Ogaden communities demonstrated against the participation of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi at the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen. They accused Meles of having no respect for human rights and the environment. 

Waving the flags of the armed rebel groups Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) and Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF), the protestors claimed Meles belongs at the Hague for trial at the International Criminal Court (ICC) instead of being honored as a spokesman for all African nations at the global conference this week. 

Many Afican nations seek financial compensation for the continent in order to combat climate change. Recently, some African groups opposed a deal between Meles and European leaders while US President Obama praised the "leadership role" of Meles Zenawi. Ethiopian Opponents of Meles are also in disagreement with each other in regards to the issue of Climate Change. Some opponents accuse Meles for allegedly “selling out” on Africa by making a deal with the WEST at the Copenhagen meeting and by reportedly settling for just $10 billion instead of $600 Billion annually. At the same time, some Ethiopian opposition have been against Africa getting any money or funds since they believe corrupt African leaders and their spokesman Meles Zenawi will misuse the funds.

The OLF and ONLF rebels are fighting for a referendum to win independence for the Oromia and Ogaden regions in Ethiopia. The Ethiopian government claims the OLF and ONLF are “terrorist” groups. In Oromia, unregulated factories have polluted rivers while forests have been set on fire by government forces in order to hinder OLF insurgents from hiding. In Ogaden, hundreds of mainly Somali civilians have died during the conflict between pro-government Somali militias and the ONLF. The ONLF supporters in Copenhagen accused Meles Zenawi of committing genocide on the Somali speaking people in the Ogaden region. 

Both regions suffer from failing seasonal rains and crops as well as livestock. However, while most of Oromia has historically enjoyed fertile land, the Ogaden region’s desert conditions are likely to worsen due to global warming in the next few decades. Millions of Ethiopians in the Ogaden and other areas often depend on food aid for survival.

Source: Jimma Times, December 18, 2009‎

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