Ethiopian rebels claim government breaches deal

By Addis Getachew

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (AA) - Ethiopian rebels on Friday accused the government of breaching the key provisions of the deal which they reached recently.

Dawud Ibsa, Chairman of the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF), leveled allegation against Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s government in a news conference.

In July, the Ethiopian parliament annulled the “terrorist” designation from three rebel groups, including OLF, following which the rebels returned from Eritrea to pursue peaceful struggle.

But in recent months, OLF and government resorted to claims and counterclaims.

Oromo Democratic Party (ODP), one of four parties in the ruling Ethiopian Peoples’ Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF), has been accusing the OLF of engaging in activities that destabilize the peaceful living in numerous parts of Oromia.

“The government forces started war recently on OLF positions,” Dawud claimed.

According to Dawud, the government and OLF had reached a deal to integrate OLF fighters into the army and police force.

“The OLF combatants who had been taken for training are being mistreated and we have been prevented from seeing them,” he added.

There is an atmosphere of tension being felt even in the capital Addis Ababa due to the claims and counterclaims between government and OLF and ongoing clashes in numerous areas in Oromia just four months after Dawud Ibsa returned.