Press Releases
SLF: Statement on OLF's agreement to resolve differences
The OLF’s announcement on September 27, 2010 that the party has agreed to resolve its internal differences is not only good news for Oromo people, but also for Sidama people and others regardless of their ethnic background who have no choice but suffer at hands of brutal TPLF regime.
TPLF knows well the historic position of OLF in guiding struggle for freedom and justice of all oppressed Ethiopians and hence the news is a big blow for dictatorial ruling regime. It is indeed regime’s wishes to see not only opposition parties divided, but also divisions and mistrust within millions of Ethiopian people, so that only few to continue doing as they please without slightest regard for the rule of law and human rights. For past two years, the regime is the only beneficiar as a result of the conflicts that arose within the OLF party. Indeed, the news shakes up TPLF camp but creates cheering at hearts of Ethiopian public at large.
SLF well understands that struggle for freedom is a road with full of bumps, it is a journey that requires serious of compromises and, at times accompanied by disappointments. But OLF also understand this and took the finest step to leave the past behind which is anticipated news for SLF. By so doing, OLF will have strong support of majority of Ethiopians to finish the journey.
It is our firm belief that OLF will emerge stronger than before and it will strengthen its promises for allegiance with other like minded organizations to bring the dictatorial regime to its knees sooner than later.
SLF also extends appreciation to all parties and individuals who are involved in this good work to be fruitful.
Sidama Liberation Front, September 2010
SLF: Statement on the occasion of innocent Sidama’s Massacre in Hawassa eight years ago: The Commemoration of 24 May 2002 bloody Massacre.
Once again we honour our fallen innocent compatriot on the occasion of 8th anniversary Hawassa massacre. Those who committed this heinous crime may wish that Sidama people will forget such barbaric act, however, no right minded person will ever forgo such a gross crime against humanity until those who are responsible for it brought to court of justice and receive the punishment they deserve.This may take time, but rest assured that justice will be done. As Amharic saying goes ‘yewoga beresa yetwoga iyresam’ we will continue to press for full investigation to bring all perpetrators to Law Court. The Sidama people, in general and SLF in particular have heavy responsibility to shoulder to persecute those mass murders any time any where. We, Owe to our fallen brothers and sisters so that their sacrifices will not remain in vain.
The barbaric and murderous TPLF/EPRDF regime has committed huge number of similar atrocities all over the country. Just to mention a few, they have massacred innocent people in Gambelly (Anouk), Oromia, Somalia, and many other localities. SLF strongly condemns all inhumane actions of TPLF and its leaders whose hands are socket in innocent blood of all Ethiopians. Further more SLF will join hand with those national organizations to exert maximum pressure on crime ridden dictatorial TPLF regime and its affiliates to be brought to justice. WE also join in unison with those national parties to expose the criminal acts of TPLF and in lighten the international communities about the true nature of TPLF, and what they have been doing to our compatriots, since they took power in Ethiopia through a barrel of gun.
Finally, it is with great pride we salute our fallen innocent people on this 8th anniversary of their massacre.
Long live the Sidama Struggle, Victory will be ours.
Sidama Liberation Front.
24 May 2010
SLF: Statements on Upcoming National Election in Ethiopia
The TPLF regime of Ethiopia is disseminating its well versed propaganda machine about the further coming so called national election in May 2010. As every one is well aware this is not the first time the TPLF has conducted stage managed election since they took power in Ethiopia through the barrel of gun.
We are very aware how the Woyane regime wind hooked the international community in general and Ethiopian people in particular during 2005 election and rigged the result of those elections. If we are going to learn a lesson from the recent past of Woyane’s vicious treachery and arrogant lies the 2005 election was an excellent example to all Ethiopians and also to those international communities who believe in and support a genuine democracy everywhere.
The TPLF regime was created by Woyane and its policy is solely based on the old Albanian type communist philosophy. It is a fact that a tiger never shades away its true colour and the same truth holds for Woyane too.
Although once in a while when it fits their arrogant ambition they had tried to deceive national and international community by pretending that they would shade some of their ugly spots from their despicable skins. But TPLF is such a shameless outcast even their shade of lies would not convince anybody at all.
As a matter of fact the so called upcoming election is already predetermined and all those cadres who are hand picked know the result.
Just give one indisputable reason why this is so true is that Woyane’s regime has already banned genuine and prominent international observers coming into the country to witness their (TPLF) controlled election(selection) on site.
The main obstacles for free and fair election in Ethiopia are the so called Electoral Board, which solely appointed by TPLF regime and similarly appointed judiciary system that are stooges of their masters.
SLF would like to point out to all those who believe in true democracy that there are numerous reasons that are seriously hindering free and fair election in Ethiopia under TPLF regime. We would like to list just a few below:
The TPLF regime controls all aspect of life in Ethiopia. Their dreaded spies control every walk of life all over the country including tinny hamlets in towns and villages. That means no free democratic parties will dare to campaign against TPLF and its cohorts.
The TPLF regime controls all bureaucracy apparatus in the country, be it finance or telecommunications. The TPLF regime has all financial and communication muscles to subdue any opposition with limited resources.
They run all mass media in the country including printed media, television and radio. The total control of media gives them unassailable advantage to do or disseminate all kind of lies.
Without a real change in those above mentioned conditions in the country it will not be possible to conduct free and fair election. It is incumbent upon all Ethiopians and friends of Ethiopians to stand stead fast and campaign for free and fair election.
With relation to this, SLF would like also to convey a message to those parties who call themselves oppositions and who are hesitantly engaging in taking part in this sham election. We believe that your participation once again is delaying the freedom and human rights blossoming in the country (Ethiopia). Some of you have been calling yourselves opposition party in rubber stamp parliament of Woyane over eighteen years and others at least five or more, and what changes did you bring to your fellow country men? Even the little hand out you are given by TPLF regime has not improved your own individual well being. We believe that the time has come for you to rethink and withdraw from this sham election, if not history will judge you just like your masters the Woyanes.
Finally we would like to emphasis that participation in such election has no meaning except legitimatization the tyrannical rule of the Ethiopian regime.
Consequently, we advise our friends, supporters and others peace and democracy loving people in the country not to take part in this hideous election.
Sidama Liberation Front
24th January 2010