LEADERS OF ULFO
The Leadership Council of ULFO held its second regular meeting from February 15-22,2001. After the council had discussed on the activity report presented by its secretary and had deliberated on issues related to the state of the Oromo struggle, it concluded by passing these resolutions.
As decided on the first meeting of the Council, the major activity of the first phase of ULFO's endeavour focused on introducing the objectives of ULFO to members and sympathizers of member organisations and the Oromo people. The efforts made by individual member organisations to this effect and the responses that are so far received from their members and the Oromo people at large were encouraging. In order to consolidate those gains and commence the second phase of the Fronts' work programme, the Council has decided: -
Ever since TPLF came to power, it has been using every evil mechanism to subjugate and force the Oromo people accept its objectives. When its attempt to appease the Oromo people by stating that " we have got your rights respected" failed to bear fruit, it resorted to the policy of suppression. Accordingly, it has been detaining thousands of Oromos, looting their properties and impoverishing them, has been publicly and secretly killing many others, and deliberately denying them their rights to medical services thereby letting many die from lack of treatment. It has also deliberately destroyed the unique eco-system in Oromiyaa over the years.
The policy of suppression and destruction that is directed against the Oromo people and Oromiyaa has caused and is causing invaluable damage and sufferings. However, it has not made our people succumb to its machination and retreat from struggling for its freedom. It rather has helped our people to intensify its struggle both at home and in Diaspora.
This is witnessed in the open resistance that the Oromo workers, peasants, students, youth and women are putting up against the Woyane regime. The bold steps that different sectors of our society took in opposing the ill- conceived measures of Woyane in destroying vast forest land in Oromiyaa and relocating the capital city of Oromiyaa from Finfinnee to Adama are but a few examples.
These actions of our people not only have clearly shown that our struggle has attained a new chapter but also have demonstrated that no amount of suppression can deter us from continuing the struggle for freedom.
The Council of Leaders of ULFO admiring the determination that our people have shown against the fascist regime, says " Keep on your struggle! We attain our freedom only through our struggle and sacrifices! Your children fighting for your liberation are with you"
Parallel with this, the Council has resolved that member organisations shall take co-ordinated actions in their political and military activities to reinforce the popular uprising at home.
Launch a co-ordinated public relation and propaganda work to expose, at every forum ,the atrocities that are being committed by Woyane regime to the popular uprising of the Oromo people
Members of ULFO shall take necessary actions to strengthen and ensure the continuity of the popular uprising that is started recently by our people:
It is well known that the number of Oromos working with the satellite political groups formed by Woyane as well as government institutions such as the army and different civilian institutions is numerous. No matter how these Oromos perceive themselves and their allegiances , in the eyes of the Woyane rulers they ,by the mere fact that they are Oromos, are nothing but suspects . After serving whatever purposes they were brought in for, their fate is humiliation, dismissal- being accused of all sorts of phoney crimes- and being branded with those struggling against the regime.
The Council of Leaders of ULFO stresses that it's high time for every Oromo to realise these sad courses of events and it calls upon them to stand against the regime that has resolved to destroy the Oromo people and join the rank of their struggling people.
As is known, different peoples have been struggling against the oppressive regimes in Ethiopia like the Oromo people, though with differing objectives. Even though these peoples have different motives and goals, at least they concur in resisting the oppression and in aspiring to see the demise of the Tigrayan regime. Hence, ULFO reaffirms its stand that is clearly stated in the Oromo Consensus 2000 "... supports and works with all forces that struggle for peace, justice, self-determination of nations and respect the democratic and human rights. It also works and co-operates with them."
The Horn of Africa is a region where devastating wars have been waged and are still being fought in. It could not be far from the truth if it is branded as a region known only through the famine and the vicious cycle of war. History shows that the expansionist policy of all the governments of the Ethiopian Empire stands out as one of the main factors for the pathetic situations in the region. This policy of expansion is a calculated move aimed at maintaining the empire and is the reflection of a maniac desire to be a powerhouse in the region.
This old policy that was initially started by Menilik has come down through the line to the present day Woyane that is destabilising the region more often than its predecessors had done. Based on this fact ULFO condemns the aggressive policy of the current Ethiopian state against the neighbouring countries.
ULFO supports the Algiers peace agreement that helped bring the cessation of war between Eritrea and Ethiopia - a war that led to the destruction of lives and properties. However, it points to the fact that providing a lasting peace and stability to the region requires searching for a fundamental solution. To that end, ULFO believes that the system in the Ethiopian Empire, which was built upon and sustained by war, must be changed.
ULFO also supports the Transitional National Government that is formed in Somalia and its effort towards comprehensive settlement of conflicts in the country and to make the government inclusive of all the stakeholders in the country.
ULFO also confirms that the Oromo people stands by its Somalia brethren with whom it had long historical ties at this moment when they are endeavouring to achieve a lasting peace and stability. On the other hand it denounces the meddling of the Woyane regime in the affairs of the Somalia people, which is based on perpetuating war and instability and thus calls upon the international community to denounce the actions of the Woyane regime.
In this region Kenya has become one of the targets of the aggressive policy of the Woyane regime. The Woyane army, in different times in the past, by violating the territorial integrity of this peaceful and sovereign nation has massacred innocent civilians and destroyed properties and is still pursuing this policy. ULFO denounces the transgression of the Woyane regime that violates the charters of the UN, OAU and undermines international law.
In conclusion, We confirm that our struggle shall be intensified until the t system in Ethiopia which is the main cause of instability brought to an end and a new system whose tenets are peace, equality, development, cooperation and good neighbourliness is built
The Council of Leaders of ULFO resents the complacency shown by some members of the international community towards the havocs wrecked upon the Oromo people and the oppressed peoples in Ethiopia by the fascist Woyane regime .The Woyane regime has destroyed the natural resources of Oromiyaa in order to impoverish generations of the tolerant Oromo people. Human rights organisations have time and again recorded that this regime violates the rights of the Oromo people and other peoples with no regard to law or international opinion. It detains, tortures and forces to exile thousands of innocent civilians everyday. Moreover, this war-mongering regime is exposed as the source of evil in the region through the senseless war it wages and the devastations it causes to human lives and properties.
In general, this anti democracy, anti-human rights and fascist regime must be held responsible for the war crimes it has perpetrated and is perpetrating. It is on this ground that ULFO appeals to all parties that give political, moral and material support to this regime to reassess their policies and stop abetting the human tragedy in the region.
In the mean time ,ULFO would like to stress that the Oromo people is engaged in the bitter struggle principally to regain its natural and lawful rights to peace and freedom that is usurped by the military might of the subsequent Ethiopian rulers. It should be clear to all that the Oromo people has not set out in its struggle to create instability or to violate the rights of other peoples. It is pushed in to this state and pays the high prices it demands, as all other avenues are slummed upon it.
The Council of Leaders of ULFO calls upon all forces that champion peace , democracy and the rights of other peoples to note this fact and support the struggle of 30 million Oromo people and work together with us towards the sacred goal of a lasting peace in this troubled region
Finally, the Council of Leaders reaffirms its
commitment to the principles enshrined in " Oromo
consensus 2000" that is laid out to promote the joint
effort of the liberation forces of Oromiyaa to speed up
the struggle of the Oromo people for final victory.
UNITY IS STRENGTH!
Oromiyaa SHALL BE FREE!
Feb. 26, 2001
ULFO