OLF calls Ethiopians to stand with Oromo students

ESAT News

May 20, 2014

The Oromo Liberation Front (OLF), which is led by General Kemal Gelchu, said as the protest of students of the Oromo ethnic group is a protest against the unjust eviction of Oromo farmers, the public needs to stand with them and support them.

OLF in its press release stated that the ruling party in Ethiopia is working to prolong its grip on power by causing inter-ethnic fights and this will hurt the Nation at the end of the day; thus, all political parties should leave their differences aside and struggle together.

It also noted that the demolition of the historic Waldeba Monastery, Northern Ethiopia for sugar development and the sale of lands in Gambella are deplorable. The eviction of Oromo farmers is similarly aimed at selling the lands to investors, which should be opposed by all Ethiopians now.

OLF said Ethiopians without being divided along ethnic, place of origin and religion should rise in unison and continue the protest against the new Addis Abeba Master Plan.

In a related development, Ethiopians in Munich, Germany have held a protest opposing the killing of students in Ambo and other towns of the Oromia region in Ethiopia.

Also, the fact that some Ethiopians were selected to leave from a fund raising meeting recently held for the construction of the Great Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) in the city had sparked a row. Although the participants that were kicked out by the cadres, had said that they were entitled to attend the meeting as they are Ethiopian citizens; the cadres of the ruling Front did not concur with the demands.

The evicted Ethiopians had voiced their opposition carrying pictures of students that have been recently killed by the government forces in Ethiopia and photographs of detained journalists, politicians and human rights activists.