
Ethiopia: Oromo Liberation Front/Army (OLF/A) – OLF-OLA Cooperates with International Partners to Curtail the Famine in Oromia (16.08.2022)



“We are hearing reports that a Ship is on its way to Ethiopia carrying Wheat, and that famine is looming. All this is false information aimed at pre-emptively sabotaging the credibility of our Wheat export plans” – Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali (14.08.2022).
“The wheat will go to WFP’s operations in #Ethiopia. It’s one of many areas around the world where the near-complete halt of Ukrainian grain & food on the global market has made life even harder” (Abiy, 14.08.2022).
The Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Abiy Ahmed Ali is claiming and down-talking yet again humanitarian aid. It isn’t many months ago when he spoke ill of “wheat-aid”. Therefore, this is one of his pet-pees and issues he wants to settle. The PM can want to be self-sufficient and be able to produce enough food for the Republic. There is nothing wrong in that and everyone should strive on it.
“If we prevent wheat aid from entering Ethiopia, 70% of our problems will be solved. Ethiopia main problem is aid wheat. Together with aid wheat diseases and many other problems comes with. Stopping aid wheat means resolving most of our problems. After stopping aid wheat, we can create touristic areas. For example, can build a cafeterias in this place like we saw earlier today. Tourists go to Cape Town and South France. In our case. It’s sitting idle” – Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali (October 2021).
However, in 2022 and at this very time… the United Nations or Humanitarian Organizations aren’t undermining the authorities or the Prosperity Party for that matter. No, they are just coming with aide to the ones in need, which isn’t only in the Tigray region that has been besieged for months. No, they have to go Somali (Ogaden) region, parts of Oromia region and Afar region too. There are so many people who needs help across the Republic.
OCHA reported it like this ten days ago: “The overall humanitarian situation in Ethiopia has significantly deteriorated in 2022 leading to increased humanitarian needs across the country due to ongoing conflict and violence, and climatic shocks such as the prolonged drought. More than 20 million people are to be targeted for humanitarian assistance and protection this year. Nearly three quarters of them are women and children” (OCHA, 05.08.2022).
There are millions of people who needs it now. Yes, there are fields that grows wheat in Ethiopia. However, that is clearly not sustainable or able to cope with the needs of the Republic. That farmers and the Ethiopian agriculture is able to produce and expand their production is fine. Nevertheless, that doesn’t solve the crisis or the famines which are occurring.
These famines aren’t created to undermine or create distress for the Prime Minister. No, they are either happening because of the policies of the Republic of blocking humanitarian aide to the Northern Ethiopia, in general to the Tigray Region, or it’s happening because of prolonged drought and climate, which no one controls. Even if the Prime Minister has promised technology to create rain the other year. Clearly, buying drones and bullets for his war has been more important to his whole reign.
We are seeing the attitude and the charisma of a self-absorbed man. Who thinks he can solve everything on his own. A man who don’t want interference and want to be self-sufficient, but doesn’t have the tools or ability to see the struggles now. Maybe the years in the Palace in Addis Ababa has made him forget about the plights of the commoner. Because they are struggling from the tip of Ogaden to the end of Tigray. He clearly don’t mind their issues and think the imported wheat is there to destroy his vision.
However, the wheat imports is only to save the lives of civilians within his Republic. He should be happy it is coming. Nevertheless, that’s too much to ask for a man who clearly don’t value those lives or the suffering of the citizens as a whole. Peace.



“Armed militia from the Afar region of Ethiopia attacked the town of Andhufo killing 20 civilians on Sunday. This event took place on 08/14/2022 at the following location: Afar Region, Ethiopia” (Geopolitical Report – ‘Afar region militia kill 20 civilians in Andhufo’ 14.08.2022).
“Great news – the last occupied Issa Somali town, Unda Fo’o in Afar just fallen to Afar!! – the Awash Road from Samara now opens for the first time in 3 years!! At last Afar/ truck drivers can live without the terror of Issa raiding and roadside contraband is over” (Afar APDA, 12.08.2022).
This week the Issa-Somali Militia and it’s also reported from other sources that Liyu Police of the Somali (Ogaden) Region has attacked the Afar region. It is sadly not new and the Issa-Somali militia has attacked Afar before and seemingly continue to do so.
What is striking this week is that parts of the reports said the skirmishes was happening in the Sitti Zone of the Somali (Ogaden) region. While in reality these attacks was in Gabi or Zone 3 of the Afar region. It is tragic that people are selling the annexation and the planned efforts of taking territories from Afar. That’s why they are trying to distort old deals and agreements to besiege them with force.
The Issa-Somali militia got support from Djibouti and the authorities there. While we cannot today be sure of it the leadership or the leaders in Somali (Ogaden) region is also involved. We know that the Vice-President of Ogaden has previously been involved in sponsoring conflict. So, we don’t know if this is the case this time.
We can certainly be sure that the Afar Pastoralist and the Afar Regional Special Forces are behind the defence and the reason why the Issa-Somali militia didn’t get further into the territory. While it is really tragic that this is occurring and the amounts of lives lost.
There are reports that in Gawani town in Zone 3. That the forces are on high alert, as they are expecting counter attacks from the Issa Somali. This is what is reported from the area today.
This means we should sadly expect more the coming days. Most likely not yet peace, but more defensive operations for the Afar forces. Peace.









“A command post is a committee of military personnel that actually holds power in an area under a state of emergency. In addition to command posts, the army also controls areas on many interregional borders” (Netherlands – ‘Country of Origin Information Report Ethiopia’ February 2021).
Today the National Security Council released a statement after holding a meeting. This meeting and statement is revelling the rising insecurity across the Republic. The authorities and the republic’s forces are stretched, apparently. Since there aren’t anywhere to hide or seek relief. The state is also claiming to catch “terrorists” on the regular, but that could also just mean “dissidents” or “opposition”. Since the Federal Government have hang of arresting vocal activists, journalists or anyone who dares to oppose it. Therefore, the definition of “terrorist” in Ethiopia in 2022 can be a bit “blurry” to put it mildly.
However, there was too very revealing things in the release from the National Security Council and even in the government press. The Command Post isn’t a new thing and was part of the former State of Emergencies that the previous Prime Minister and his political allies used to target dissidents. That’s why reading about them now and without declared “state of emergencies” it is clearly a tool of oppression and use of excessive force. Not that it’s shocking, since the army is used against civilians and not to defend the territories of Ethiopia against invaders. Alas, here is one of the problems. While the same government uses Command Post and goes after civilians while competing with rebellions. It surely is losing grounds and moral high-ground. Since, the population see the usage of force and cannot see the possible difference between a “terrorist” and a “government agent” except for the badge or label on their uniform.
Just read here from Government Friendly Press:
“According to the statement, to fully destroy the OLF-Shene terrorist group, command posts of Shewa, Wollega and Guji have been formed in Oromia Region. The national Defence Force, Oromia Region leadership and security forces are undertaking coordinated deployment to this end. Statement indicates that 3,280 militants of Shene have been captured, and others refused to surrender to the government forces have been destroyed” (Fana BC, 08.08.2022).
“The Somali Regional leadership mobilizing and involving the people took an exemplary measure against the enemy, the Council said. Saying that a command post including the national army is established, the council indicated that 813 Al-Shabab militants were killed while 79 others captured in a join operation” (Fana BC, 08.08.2022).
Yes, the OLF has targeted just like Querro did in the past. This is a continuation of that and the OLF has only been more vigilant as they are operating in what seems like war. That has been done for months and the state has promised to do the “final operation” and finish them. However, they never seem to be able or have the capacity to do so.
The attacks of Al-Shabaab is different and is foreign terrorist organization attacking Ethiopian soil. That is understandable and within reason of what a National Army should do. What I am more worried about is the establishment of Command Posts, which has been reflected as a means of “State of Emergency” and been used as a tool to silence the citizens of any given region, which we have seen before in Ethiopia. That’s why the Command Post usage both place can be questioned. Because, this tool has been used in the EPRDF time and now under PP.
This isn’t a sign of peace, but utter insecurity when the army has to control parts of regions under Command Posts. It shows that things are dire and not in good place. Also, shows how far reaching the troubles are now. As it is burning wherever you turn. Especially, if you read the statement of National Security Council. There wasn’t corner where the authorities needed to be vigilant or acts with suspicious. That is just saying something and how things really are. Peace.
Reference:
Fana Broadcasting Company – ‘Council Praises Positive Steps Taken To Reduce Internal Vulnerability, National Security’ 08.08.2022


“BREAKING: Hundreds of Ethiopian troops and vehicles have crossed the border of Somalia into the town of Dolow in Gedo. These troops will open bases in Dolow and Beledhawo to support the Gedo Regional Administration” (The Daily Jubba, 06.08.2022).
Yesterday it was reported that the Ethiopian National Defence Force (ENDF) entered and deployed itself in the Gedo region of the Jubaland State. There been no announcement or memorandums officially published from either party. There has been official communication from the Federal Member State (FMS) of Jubaland. Neither has Villa Somalia or any of the Federal Government of Somalia spoken out on it either. Lastly, it has been silent from the Office of the Prime Minister of Ethiopia or the ENDF as well.
This is just troubling as the neighbour here is practically “invading” and occupying parts of border territories of Somalia without any concern. Especially, when we cannot know the mandate, mission or the goals of the operation. This is interfering and not respecting the territorial integrity. The Ethiopian government would have gone to war if the Sudanese Armed Forces went out of the contested areas around the border and did similar acts in the Tigray region. Therefore, this is questionable at best.
We know the Al-Shabab and the conflict with them has spiralled out lately. There been skirmishes on the border and the ENDF has defended it’s territories in the Ogaden (Somali) Region. That has been established and known about. As yet another conflict the ENDF has to deal with and use it’s capacity to take control over.
Some has stated and wondered why the new Somali President hasn’t visited Addis Ababa and such. He has been elsewhere in the Horn of Africa and visited allies. However, he never went to Ethiopia and visited Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali. There been talks and rumours speculating that there been a fallout after Abiy lost his ally Farmaajo. Therefore, the recent act seems possibly like a revenge or a retaliation. Also, as the Al-Shabaab suddenly attacked Ethiopia too. It is all coincidently happening as the new Somali President is being in-charge.
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has to both look into the leadership in Jubaland State and the Gedo region. If they allowed this with or without prior consent from the regional leadership. Secondly, the Villa Somalia needs to diplomatically establish why Ethiopian forces did enter and such. This is a clear indication that Mogadishu and Addis Ababa has lot of trouble brewing between them.
Abiy has possibly started another proxy-war and does so possibly by being allowed by regional leadership to enter. That is showing a lack of coordination and clear-cut policies of the Villa Somalia. They are showing weakness instead of strength. The neighbour is taking advantage of fragile and porous borders. In such a manner, that the integrity and the sovereignty doesn’t matter to it.
The next few days will be interesting. Especially to see how the new administration in Mogadishu takes it and acts. Because, this is happening on their turf and on their territory. The ENDF is the outsider and certainly has a questionable task to explain why they are there…
This will be monitored and followed. Since the signs are worrying and the air-silence isn’t making things any better. Peace.