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SLF Press Release
If we recall, within the downfall of the communist regime of Ethiopia in 1991, SLM joined a collation of 24 political organizations, and they were able to form a short lived transitional government of Ethiopia. But unfortunately and from the very beginning the interim government had experienced EPRDF/TPLF domination, who took the lion’s share of the seats in the House of Representatives (Parliament). Consequently it began to dismantle other free political organizations, OLF and SLM to be main ones among many others.
When SLM held its national conference on 8th December 1991 in Awassa, TPLF (Ethiopian government) tried to assassinate its (SLM’s) leadership in general, Mr Woldeamanuel Dubale in particular. When the government troops opened fire upon us, Woldeamanuel survived the attempted assassination only because of gallant bravery of Sidama man by the name of Ato Waqo Orissa who offered himself as a human shield to save Woldeamanuel’s life. Lying over him Ato Waqo protected Woldeamanuel from death while he himself (Ato Waqo) being seriously wounded. In that incidence 5 people died from our side and 2 died from the government side including one female soldier.
However for this and other political reasons Woldeamanuel fled the country and sought asylum in Britain, as documents he has provided are irreversible evidences which are still held by UK home office. He was granted refugee status and later on British citizenship because he had claimed that he was a political refugee running away for his dear life from EPRDF regime.
Contrarily to his claim, since 1997 Woldeamanuel started secret deal with TPLF government. As a final betrayal in 2005 he officially agreed to sell the Sidama’s interest and SLM’s struggle to serve TPLF government for his own advantage. While this being the true side of this man’s story, to confuse others Woldeamanuel lied on the German radio recently claiming that he had no tendency to go into exile since he had has a good relationship with the TPLF government. Above all he tried to tell us that the TPLF government is doing good work or providing fair serves to the Sidama people, as they allowed Sidamas to build houses or other buildings in Awassa town. This is absolutely ridiculous. In first place Sidamas do not need TPLF licence to build houses on their own land. In fact any Sidama depending on their capacity had been building houses in Awassa, since the establishment of the town. Therefore, he cannot tell them any fiction since the Sidams know who is doing what. Dose he know that none of the previous governments attempt to take away the Awassa town from Sidama people, and it is only the TPLF government in 2002 who massacred the Sidama people to kick out them from Awassa town?
We cannot understand how Woldeamanuel dared to insult the Sidama people by telling them a naked lie to get some crumbs from TPLF table. We believe dignity worth much more than crumbs. On the other hand being a British citizen, as we know very well he is, he receives enough money for his weekly allowance to maintain his life on the European standard. But now he is lying to deceive the Sidama people to serve TPLF’s malicious aim to obtain extra pennies.
Finally, we like to advise the Sidama people to distinguish between real friends and friendly foes, as well to be aware of opportunist individuals.
Sidama Liberation Front (SLF).
01/04/07
THE STATEMENT OF SLF NATIONAL COUNCIL
The Sidama Liberation Front national council held its annual meeting on October 14-18 /2006. The council had a critical look at SLF’s current activities and identified areas which are successfully achieved and those which need a special attention. As a result, strategic directions have been suggested as a corrective measure on the areas which are lagging behind the target. Having taken into consideration the current local and international political realities, the council has passed resolution on the following key issues.
1. The council decided on the line of activities which have shown a greater achievement, the same strategies to be applied in this coming struggle year, For the areas which have not been satisfactory, appropriate corrective action to be taken.
2 On the recent allegation being spread by a few individuals with the so-called SNLO, the council saw it as just a failed smear campaign as it had no truth whatsoever. It is very unfortunate to hear such a destructive and malicious campaign while the oppressed people are waging all-round struggle for freedom and democracy in an organized and stronger manner than ever. The council condemned this initiative and indicated that those who genuinely want to contribute their part in the Sidama struggle in anyway, are most welcome to join SLF.
3. The council has condemned woyyane and its messengers’ bid to fuel conflict between Oromo and Sidama people around Awassa district. The two nations have had strong cultural, historical and psychological ties and share a common goal for its political future. Therefore, the council calls upon the two nations to uphold its age old unity and peaceful co-existence, understanding the motives of our enemy to divide and weaken us. It also calls upon the people of both nations to intensify its common struggle against the oppressive regime towards the realization of national freedom and democratic governance.
4. With regard to the Alliance for Freedom and Democracy (AFD), the council has decided that SLF should actively contribute to the success of the alliance through various means.
5. The council calls upon the Sidama nationals serving in Woyyanae army to abandon their service in the anti-people agenda of Woyyane and join the SLF to contribute their part as responsible citizens in the people’s struggle for freedom. Those who want to make this historical decision, the council advises them to contact any other opposition fronts’ army located in all corners of the country so that they will guide you to SLF’s military base.
6. Finally, the council has deliberated on the current situation in Somalia. The council believes that the problem of Somalia should be solved primarily by the people of itself. But the unilateral and direct military intervention of Woyyanae government has no benefit to the people of both countries, rather it will exacerbate already volatile situation in the country and the region as a whole.
SLF National Council
October/2006
AFD STATEMENT ON THE DEVELOPMENT UNFOLDING IN SOMALIA
July 5, 2006
The Alliance for Freedom and Democracy (AFD) wishes to express its deep concerns regarding the developments currently unfolding in Somalia. These developments are of particular interest of our Alliance first of all because one of our member organizations, the Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF), struggles for the rights of the Somali people in Ethiopia. Although what is happening in Somalia could much more directly affect our Somali compatriots, they could also have important implications for all of us because of one historical reality in the Horn of Africa. Political developments in any corner of the Horn have historically reverberated throughout the sub-region raising the hopes of some and dashing those of others. Much more importantly, many of the region’s authoritarian rulers have time and again manipulated international perceptions of such incidents in order to dash the hopes of those working for freedom, democracy, and friendly relations among communities and states.
Somalia’s tragedy and the suffering of many other societies in the Horn of Africa can be traced back to the cold War era practice by the region’s authoritarian rulers of muzzling their internal critics by designating them as the agents of the opposing camp and thereby gaining the backing and endorsement of their international sponsors for their repressive policies. We are observing with increasing concern how current international concerns about the spread of global terrorism are increasingly being manipulated by some repressive regimes to continue this destructive practice.
The AFD and all its member organizations would like to make it perfectly clear that we stand united in opposition to the practice of terrorizing society whether it is perpetrated by state or non-state actors. Furthermore, we neither engage in nor condone indiscriminate acts that endanger the safety and security of the populace, as we also stand united in opposition to extremism and intolerance in all their manifestations. Our call for an inclusive process of dialogue not only demonstrates our opposition to fanaticism, the worst pretext for exclusion, but also constitutes the only reliable antidote to the dissemination of such sentiments. On the contrary, the desperation fanned by the behaviours and acts of exclusive authoritarian regimes, the absence of legitimate structures of law and order create the most conducive breeding grounds for the birth and dissemination of fanaticism.
We are currently observing the glee with which Ethiopia’s ruling party has received the news of what is unfolding in Somalia. In addition to deflecting attention from the deteriorating situation at home, the Ethiopian regime is desperate to regain the support of the international community, which has been put into serious question lately, by incriminating and silencing its domestic and legitimate political opposition. That is why the ruling party and its international backers are already trying to implicate our member organizations, separately or collectively, in the events unfolding in Somalia. We categorically reject any involvement in the purely intra-Somalia power struggles. The constituents of all our member organizations have been victims of the Cold War era rivalry that pitied Somalia and Ethiopia in a bloody war, the price of which all the people in the Horn of African region are still paying dearly. The world has enough experience of dictators projecting enmities across borders in order to divert attention from internal wrongdoings.
AFD and its member organizations have every reason neither to involve themselves in the affairs of Somalia nor to allow any group in Somalia to interfere in their internal affairs. Nor does AFD want the re-ignition of another cycle of contests and violent confrontation between Somalia and Ethiopia whatever the pretext.
The Alliance would wholeheartedly welcome the re-emergence of a stable democratic Somalia when this becomes a reality. Because we are convinced that an inclusive process is the only way of forging a stable and democratic order in Ethiopia, we appeal to all Somali groups to follow the same course. That is the only way out of the conflict that has blighted Somalia for years and condemned the people to unparalleled misery and mayhem. We also call upon regional and global powers to concentrate on bringing all groups in Somalia together and seek a comprehensive solution instead of sensationalizing the situation out of proportion and trying to find hasty fixes that may exacerbate the already muddled situation in Somalia, with its dire consequences for entire Horn of African region. The time calls for a sober analysis of the situation and the acceptance of dialogue as the only way out of the quagmire. The Alliance believe to do otherwise in the current circumstances is a sure recipe for disaster.
We would like to warn the international community that unwarranted interference in the affairs of Somalia by the Ethiopian regime could easily revive deep-seated historical memories of rivalry and should thus be avoided. Similarly we would like to warn all groups in Somalia that they have neither the mandate nor right to speak on behalf of our Somali compatriots.
We wish to contribute to the promotion of partnership within Ethiopia as well as between it and all the other states of the Horn of Africa. And for this to occur, the establishment of a just, representative, and democratic order within each state is absolutely essential. Ethiopia, being the most populace and centrally located state in the Horn of Africa, the course towards regional peace and stability can be paved only by putting Ethiopia’s political life on an increasingly democratic footing.
Over 1000 Sidama farmers are to be forcefully removed from their homes and left without subsistence and shelter – Awada, Sidama in southern Ethiopia
SLF: Press Release
Over 1000 Sidama farmers and their families including children are being forced to leave their village called Awada. It is located between Yirgalem and Abosto towns by the Addis Ababa-Nairobi highway, southern Ethiopia. The village is found about 315 km away from Addis Ababa and about 40 km from Awassa town. The people are being forced to leave their homes and properties without any compensations or alternative places to go before joining the two towns mentioned above for urbanization.
Population: Well over1000 and one of the most densely populated areas in the country. They earn living mainly by growing coffee and Weese; agriculture with animal husbandry is popular and main local engagement. They do not have any other means of survival.
Yirgalem and Abosto towns: Among the oldest, these towns have been neglected for too long and not managed properly; too many waste lands with small population. Managing them as they are could be a priority and more productive.
Geography: The area has several clean and natural hot water-springs which are used for drinking and other purposes. There are three rivers surrounding the village, making it every green. The altitude ranges from medium to high with pleasant climate. The Sidama people inhabited this area from the time immemorial.
Schools and health centre: The people from the village do send their children to local schools which are within a walk distances. There is also one hospital nearby and one health station used by both the farmers and town dwellers.
Local investment: Organic and fresh coffee processing plants are widely seen owned by various local business people and Sidama Coffee Growing Union SCGU. The villagers are members of the Union and they supply coffee to the plant. These businesses have never interfered with the local farmers.
Problems – Forceful Removal of farmers:
The idea of removing the Sidama farmers was first proposed by General Isayas Gebre-Selassie who was a governor of the Sidamo Province under Haile-Selassie’s government in the 1960s. The governor attempted to merge the two towns but he failed because the farmers refused to give up their farm land and properties. Moreover the farmers took their case to the Imperial Appeal Court where Emperor Haile-Selassie recognized the farmers’ ownership right of their land and properties; and the Emperor overruled the proposal in favour of the farmers.
However, about four years ago the current Ethiopian government came up with the same idea of merging Yirgalem and Abosto towns like their predecessors. The Southern Ethiopia Peoples, Nations and Nationalities Regional State (SPNNRS) was given the responsibility of implementing the process of merging the two towns. Was there any budget to finance the farmers before removing them from their homes?
Implementation-Urban plots of plots land:
The village people were astonished and caught unprepared when the authorities suddenly went to divide their land and uproot the farmers from their holdings and homes. The land with properties such as coffee, weese, etc. is going to be divided into urban plots; whereby each farmer will be given only a single plot of land to live on. The rest of plots will be given to other people according to urban planning.
Action: The villagers protested against any unplanned move to displace them from their settled lives without any suitable and alternative places to go and without any compensation. They went to the Sidama Zone to express their opposition to the forced removal of farmers but they were ignored. The Regional government also ignored them. These villagers have repeatedly asked the government to answer their questions peacefully. They were and are ignored.
Now where to go from here?
Questions:
- The farmers are not going to get any compensation for their existing properties and homes before or after they are removed. How can they survive and feed their young’s?
- The farmers are not going to get any suitable and alternative places to lead their normal lives any more. How can they survive??
- The farmers do not hold any office jobs. They are not given any other alternative or additional plot of land to grow crops. They have no other income. How can they survive on a single plot of land meant for town dwellers? How can they feed their children??
- Why there are no plans to accommodate these villagers properly?
- Why there are no compensations for their properties if they are going to be moved
- What future do these people and their families have? What is going to happen to them? They are going to be displaced forcefully
- Is it an urgent matter to merge the two towns, Yirgalem and Abosto? Is it necessary and priority? Why don’t the government improve the conditions of the existing towns and manage them properly first instead of merging them and creating additional waste land?
Intervention: There must be an intervention by the international community to call for immediate halt of the forceful removal of people from their village. The unplanned move by the authorities has to stop forthwith and there must be a public consultation as follows:
- There must be proper local consultation
- People must be given choice to decide for themselves whether there are any benefits out of merging the two towns. Can we improve the conditions of the existing towns instead of creating another big waste land? Can the government justify the merger?
- There must be suitable and alternative arrangements in place prior to displacing the people from their settled lives and making their lives miserable. Their lives should not be subjected to disruption.
- However, should finally the government wish to go ahead with the idea of urbanization, there must be a proper compensation and alternative arrangements in place.
History and Conclusion: The Sidama people have been particularly subjected to various injustices by the current and previous Ethiopian governments. It can be recalled that over 100 peaceful Sidama people were massacred in Awassa on 24th May 2002 by the order of Ethiopian government when the Sidamas expressed their constitutional rights.
- The current Ethiopian government wants systematically to get rid of the Sidama nation and the culture of the Sidama people
- The Derge, the military government, massacred hundreds of Sidamas during its rule. Derge displaced the Sidama people from their settled lives in the of villagization. Today, the TPLF government of Ethiopia is displacing the Sidama people from their settled lives in the name of Urbanization. For this reason we urge the international community to condemn this arbitrary and inhuman act against the Sidama people.
- Haile Selasie’s government excluded Sidamas from attending schools. During His government No development works were done in Sidama.
Finally, we fear that current Ethiopian government could take harsh measures similar to that of the 24th of May 2002 against the Sidama people for opposing the removal from their homes, properties and land.
Sidama Liberation Front
27 December 2005
SLF: Press Release on the occasion of the third anniversary of Awassa massacre on 24 May, 2002.
As customary the month of May comes and goes, but the murderers of this incidence are walking free, some of them with promotion. The reckless Ethiopian regime is not ready to heed the Sidamas demand as well the international communities request to bring those murderers to the court of justice. However, we believe that history will determine this barbaric act (the massacre) of the government in due course.
Nevertheless, the month of May can be said that it has a peculiar place in the international scene (calendar), specially for its workers movement or the Labour Day (May Day). But on the contrary May month has a black hole in the Sidama calendar.
In this year several countries including United Kingdom, Lebanon, Ethiopia etc (if Ethiopian election also to be counted as real election) have held national elections in May. Naturally free election indicates the process of freedom, equality, democracy etc… Then election month or day is a day of joy and happiness. But in the case of Sidama the reverse is true. For the Sidamas May is a mourning month for the massacred people, children and adults, students and teachers, young and old, men and women on 24 May 2002. Sidamas remember the month and day with bitterness and sorrow, but they comfort those who lost their arms, limbs and properties on that gloomy day, (24 May). For the Sidamas May is lamentation month for their lost freedom, liberty, justice and human rights. Sidamas observe the day remembering how they were chased away from their homes, lands and properties by the Ethiopian government’s cruel and beasts like soldiers. Whenever the month May comes, Sidamas conceive unbearable agony in their minds thinking the massacre. On that day the Sidamas glance with their spiritual eyes how Awassa (their capital) slid away or fell into the hands of their enemy who used unbalanced forces against innocent civilians. The month of May reflects to or reminds the Sidama people the inhuman deeds and dictatorial rule of the Ethiopian government.
Finally, we urge you the Sidama people to continue your struggle until you win back your land and justice.
Sidama Liberation Front
May 24, 2005
Press Release on Ethiopian Government’s Usual Tactics to Deceive International Community
We regret the failure of international community to understand the machination of TPLF (EPRDF) regime of Ethiopia. As he made deceit his duty, the unrepentant Meles Zenawi, Prime Minister of Ethiopia continues cheating international community as usual. His government released twenty political prisoners who have been locked up for more than 22 months since Awassa massacre of 24th May 2002. It is strange and doubtful how they were released a head of their court hearings. They were suddenly called on 15th March 2004 in the afternoon and were told that they could follow up their court cases after being released on bail.
At present delegates from different Human Rights groups including AU Human and People’s Rights Commission are visiting Ethiopia. They are expected to make recommendations on prisoners and prison conditions of the country after visiting main central and regional prisons. Most of the delegates arrived in Addis Ababa on 14th March 2004 and have to hold meetings with governmental and non-governmental organisations before they start visit to selected sites.
Meanwhile, deceitful government of Ethiopia wanted to make artificial history for itself. They speculated that the Human Rights groups would acknowledge prisons and justice system in Ethiopia; would include it in their reports if they couldn’t find prisoners of conscious and those detained and kept arrested without cause and legal grounds.
The Awassa massacre of 24th May 2002 was a crime committed by the Ethiopian authority. But to save brutal murderers and to deceive others they arrested thousands of innocent peace loving Sidama people who demanded their constitutional right and demonstrated it peacefully. Thanks to pressure from international community they had released most of them but kept 20 people as if they were responsible for inciting the demonstration. Now time has come for the prisoners to appeal their case face to face to Human Rights group how injustice done to them for last 22 months.
This is also true in other parts of the country. For example they have released Berhane Mewa, President of A.A Chamber of Commerce from A.A and some others from Nazret and Diredawa prisons. There are still thousands of prisoners in Oromia, Gambella, Somalia and other regions. A voice of hundreds of Tepi prisoners in South Ethiopia region is not yet heard and they are still in prison. The Human Rights group are expected to visit main prisons in Addis Ababa, Nazret, Awassa, and Diredawa. The reason why they have released long and short time prisoners prior to their court hearings shows that the regime is trying as usual to put mud on the eyes of international community pretending that there is no political prisoner and justice is done.
We assume this action, as it is just a temporary release for there is no guarantee that they wouldn’t return to their prison house. If we recall, Meles Zenawi released former South Ethiopia Region President Abate Kisho and his group prior to his visit to London to attend a meeting at Royal Institute of International Affairs on 24 February 2003, fearing that he would face challenging question about injustice and Human Rights abuse in Ethiopia. As he has prepared a ground for his answers when he was questioned that the government interferes in judiciary system he replied that Judiciary is independent. And he added that it is beyond the government’s control and the court has released individuals that the government made prisoners. But when he returned to Ethiopia he imprisoned Abate Kisho and his group denying their right for bail. We say, this is the regime’s naked intrigue or machination
We still call onto international community to make more pressure that prisoners of conscious and other unlawfully imprisoned to be released from hundreds of prisons in Ethiopia, to follow up if justice is done even for those released recently.
Sidama Liberation Front
16th March 2004