ONLF defends participation in Ethiopia’s national dialogue process

Nairobi (HOL) — The Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) says it played an active role in Ethiopia’s national dialogue process and helped advance key issues affecting the Somali community.

In an interview this week, ONLF Chairman Abdikarim Sheikh Muse Qalbidagah said the national dialogue was launched to address longstanding structural challenges in Ethiopia and was intended to be inclusive.

The ONLF chairman also rejected reports claiming the organization had formed an alliance with a group referred to as “Tsamdo,” describing the reports as false and do not represent the organization’s position.

Qalbidagah accused unnamed forces of attempting to undermine peace and said the ONLF would oppose efforts that could return the region to conflict and suffering.

He emphasized that the ONLF responded to the Ethiopian government’s peace appeal after the country’s political changes and ended its armed struggle.

The organization later pursued peaceful political engagement and participated in Ethiopia’s seventh general election, he said.

Qalbidagah said the decision to return to the country and pursue politics peacefully had created opportunities to address longstanding demands of the Somali community through political means.

“ONLF wants the current peace to be strengthened and sustained and is prepared to work with the federal government and other stakeholders to support a durable peace process,” he added.

The chairman also accused former Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) leaders of contributing to instability and loss of life in the Somali Regional State before Ethiopia’s political transition.

He alleged that some of those actors are still attempting to create security problems in the region.

His remarks come as Ethiopia continues efforts to address longstanding political and structural disputes through dialogue and political participation.

The ONLF’s position reflects its transition from armed struggle to formal political engagement, while its allegations against other political actors have not been independently verified.