The Ogaden Patriotic Liberation Front (ONLF) has announced the formation of a new political alliance called the Somali People’s Self-Determination Alliance (SPAS), which it said represents the unification of the political, diplomatic and social efforts of the Somali people living in Ethiopia.
A long statement issued jointly by the ONLF, the Congress for Somali Cause (CSC) and the Somali Regional Democratic Alliance (SRDA), and released in the city of Jigjiga, said the new alliance aims to “strengthen the political voice, dignity and future of the Somali people”.
The organizations reiterated their argument that the annexation of Somali lands by Ethiopia was historically “without the consent of the Somali people”, accusing successive Ethiopian governments of discrimination, political repression and trampling on fundamental rights.
The statement also recalled the 2018 peace agreement, at the beginning of Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s government, when the ONLF laid down its arms and joined the peace process. However, the organization said that hopes for peace had become “empty”, and allegations of displacement, land grabbing and political repression continued.
“The chapter of self-control is over,” the statement said, accusing the Addis Ababa government of refusing dialogue and taking actions that the organization described as “threatening the existence of the Somali people”.
The new SPAS coalition called on all Somalis to unite their positions and show “a united determination based on the right to struggle and self-determination”.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government of Ethiopia has yet to comment on the new statement, and there has been no official response from the Addis Ababa government so far.
This comes at a time when international concerns remain over the stability and human rights situation in parts of Ethiopia, particularly in areas affected by conflict and political disputes.
