| Harassment and Intimidation of the TPLF Regime
Cannot Reverse Our Determination for Freedom and Justice |
| Date: |
March 18, 2004 |
| Source: |
Statement by United Liberation Forces of Oromia | |
Since the TPLF came to power in Ethiopia, it has been oppressing and exploiting the Oromo people mercilessly and plundering the natural resources of Oromia. Recently the TPLF regime has become frustrated and desperate when its policy could not be fully implemented as it wanted due to stiff resistance of the Oromo people. The TPLF regime is a regime that does not have support and sympathy of peoples in Ethiopia and is on the verge of collapse. However, the TPLF is trying to do everything possible to breath life to its dying regime. The Oromo people must join hands and intensify their struggle to free the Oromo people from archaic rule and liberate Oromia.
The TPLF regime reckons to contain the growth of Oromo nationalism by reversing the gains the Oromo people obtained through its bitter struggle and dear sacrifices. One of such attempts is to put several towns and cities of Oromia under the administration of Federal state. The sinister motive behind such action is to deny Oromia to get the economic benefit from these towns and replace it by Amharic as median of instruction instead of Afan Oromo. The recent order to move the seat of Oromia regional state from Finfinne to Adama is all encompassing motive. Plonking towns of Oromia under the administration of Federal state will automatically stop Afan Oromo from being official language and take away Oromo identity from these places. It is undemocratic plan that sows seeds of violence and disturbance. Thus, it has to be combated without more ado.
In its struggle against Ethiopian occupation, Oromo people have amassed rich experience and its nationalism is growing daily. Despite the inhuman and irresponsible actions of the TPLF, that does not have the slightest respect for human lives, the Oromo people is putting up stiff and consistent resistance to TPLF regime. This is further frustrating the TPLF and forcing it to take more repressive and savage measures.
Peaceful demonstration organized by Mecha and Tulama Association against the removal of Oromia regional state from Finfinne to Adama turned to violent episode when police used force. Riot police in full battle gear dispersed peaceful demonstrators by harassing and savagely beating them. Elderly leaders of the Association were mercilessly beaten, workers and students were brutally clubbed, and as a result, many sustained physical injuries. Several hundreds were rounded and detained. To date, numbers of these detainees' whereabouts is not known.
The resistance of Oromo university students against the sham cultural show was used as a pretext to detain several students and subsequently all Oromo students in Addis Ababa University were dismissed. Oromo students in various High schools staged peaceful demonstration demanding the release of detained university students and the re-admission of dismissed students. However, police force was called to disperse these peacefully demonstrating students brutally beaten them and four students were killed in Xuqur Incinnee west of Ambo town only.
The TPLF is trying to do everything possible to pacify the struggle and quell the resistance of the Oromo people by taking certain measures that it thinks will sow fear and desperation among Oromo people. Resistance of the Oromo people is gathering momentum daily. This fact is making TPLF more desperate and forcing it to take actions that are not expected from a government.
The prisons of TPLF are full of Oromos who are said to be members or supporters of OLF. Recently, the TPLF regime has announced that two Oromo nationals have been sentenced to death by hanging. This is a calculated action meant to create fear, desperation in the ranks of Oromo people and to deter them from the fierce struggle they are conducting. The policies that the TPLF is perusing in Oromia are no different from what the French used in Algeria and the apartheid regime in South Africa.
No Oromo in its right mind can keep silent to the oppression and harassment of TPLF regime. As long as people's demands are not answered and there is denial of basic human rights, there will be resistance and struggle. In order to stay in power the TPLF will employ and escalate its oppressive mechanism. Under such condition, the only alternative left to the Oromo people is to intensify its struggle until liberation and freedom. Hence, the United Liberation Forces of Oromia calls upon the Oromo people to join hands more than ever to meet this noble objective.
It is a national duty to support those Oromos who are at the forefront resisting the repressive TPLF regime and support those who are in prison simply for being Oromos. Wherever they are, Oromo nationals should do all in their capacity to fulfil this national duty. Beyond its role to coordinate the activities of member organizations, United Liberation Forces of Oromia will do every thing possible to implement this dignified duty. The Oromo people should rally with ULFO to materialize this noble cause. ULFO calls upon those Oromos who are working for the government to stop being obstacle to the national liberation struggle but rather contribute their part to the liberation of Oromia.
Unity is Strength!!
Oromia Shall Be Free!!
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United Liberation Forces of Oromia ::
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