Press-Release, Declaration and photos from the Founding Congress of Peoples’ Alliance for Freedom and Democracy (PAFD), a coalition of five national liberation struggles in Ethiopia: the Benishangul People’s Liberation Movement (BPLM), the Gambela People’s Liberation Movement (GPLM), the Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF), the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) and Sidama National Liberation Front (SNLF) – in Oslo on October 23, 2015

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Press Release: The Founding of Peoples’ Alliance for Freedom and Democracy (PAFD)

Delegates of Benishangul People’s Liberation Movement (BPLM), Gambella People’s Liberation Movement (GPLM), Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF), Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) and Sidama National Liberation Front (SNLF) met in Oslo, Norway from 22 October to 23 October 2015 to lay the foundation of political alliance between the peoples in Ethiopia and have formed the Peoples Alliance for Freedom and Democracy (PAFD).

The PAFD will create an opportunity for all peoples in Ethiopia to co-create a transitional political order that is based on the consent of all peoples, where the outmoded hegemonic culture of a single group dominating the rest is dismantled and a new just political order is established, where the respect of the right to self-determination is genuinely granted to all.

PAFD will conduct diplomatic, advocacy, information and other campaigns to change the current undemocratic political culture and oppressive system in Ethiopia.

PAFD will have a Governing Council (GC) composed of representatives of the political leadership of the founding organisations and members representing the civil societies of the respective communities.

The Governing Council will elect an Executive Committee (EC), a chairperson and two vice-chairpersons that rotate yearly among the organization members. The Executive Committee will be the standing committee and will have the bureaus of diplomacy, organization, finance, information and others.

PAFD call upon all peoples in Ethiopia to join the alliance and support it in order to end the suffering and dehumanization of all peoples in Ethiopia by the current government. PAFD call upon the regional and international communities, to play a positive role in diffusing this looming danger by supporting the peoples in Ethiopia rather than the illegitimate government before it is too late.

Finally, PAFD call upon the current government in Ethiopia to refrain from all acts of violence, respect human rights, obey the rule of law, and commit to peaceful and democratic resolution of political conflicts.

Issued by PAFD

Oslo, Norway
October 23, 2015

Contacts:

PAFD email: PAFD22102015@gmail.com

– BPLM +2917296477
– GPLM +12042185988
– ONLF +447940624477
– OLF +4797357264
– SNLF +44 7984480752

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Declaration of the Establishment of the Peoples’ Alliance for Freedom and Democracy (PAFD)

– Benishangul People’s Liberation Movement (BPLM),
– Gambela People’s Liberation Movement (GPLM),
– Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF),
– Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) and
– Sidama National Liberation Front (SNLF)

Considering the grave injustices and oppression perpetrated by the current regime in Ethiopia;

Concerned by the massive propaganda campaign undertaken by the Ethiopian government intended to deceive the peoples in Ethiopia and the international community in order to legitimise and continue its dictatorial and repressive rule;

Cognizant of the need for a united effort among the oppressed peoples in Ethiopia to put an end to the unremitting cruel repression perpetrated by successive and current regimes of the empire;

Taking into account the current lack of political vision by some opposition groups in Ethiopia to embrace the political and social changes that Ethiopia has undergone over the last fifty years, as the result of the heavy prices paid by the nations in Ethiopia for the right of self-determination and rejecting their archaic adherence to political precepts no longer tenable in the 21st century, such as negating the rights of nations in Ethiopia to self-determination;

Categorically stating that our peoples, who fought and still continue fighting with their blood against successive oppressive regimes in Ethiopia, will never give up on the fruits of their struggle and allow reversal of their historic gains for the right of self-determination;

Have formed the Peoples’ Alliance for Freedom and Democracy (PAFD), which will foster the favorable conditions that will bring an opportunity for all the peoples in Ethiopia to co-create a political order that will practically allow all to exercise genuine democratic rights including the right to self-determination;

Therefore, the Peoples’ Alliance for Freedom and Democracy (PAFD) will:

1. Strive through the peoples’ power to dismantle the outmoded hegemonic culture of a single group dominating the rest and will establish and a new, just political order.

2. Establish a Political Order that derive its legal authority through effective, democratically elected organs and legal processes that are based on a pluralist consensus and genuine universal suffrage where relationships are established through impartial and authentic exercise of self-determination where both individual and people’s rights are fully respected.

3. Endeavour to achieve a peaceful and orderly transfer of power to the peoples in Ethiopia by engaging representatives of all the different nations, nationalities and other stakeholders committed to genuine democracy in Ethiopia.

4. Guarantee that all changes, arrangements and configurations that are intended to end the recurrent conflicts in Ethiopia must be based on the will and consent of each and every nation and nationality in the Ethiopian empire state.

Finally, the PAFD calls on all concerned parties, including the current government of Ethiopia, the representatives of all nations and nationalities in Ethiopia, with the facilitation of the international community, to seize this opportunity and hold a comprehensive conference to create a broader roadmap to thereby resolve the enormous problems confronting the Ethiopian Empire state.

PAFD also calls the international community to respect the wishes, desires and rights of all the nations and nationalities in Ethiopia in their engagments and understand that all status quo is untenable, and a recipe for a simmering disaster that will end in castarophe unless remedied in opportune time.

Peoples’ Alliance for Freedom and Democracy

Oslo, Norway

October 23, 2015

Contacts:

PAFD email: PAFD22102015@gmail.com

Members Telephones:
– BPLM +2917296477
– GPLM +12042185988
– ONLF +447940624477
– OLF +4797357264
– SNLF +44 7984480752

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Photos from the Founding Congress:

ከከተማ ዋቅጅራ* | October 2015

መቼም ኢትዮጵያ ውስጥ በፈለገው ግዜ የሚያስር በፈለገው ግዜም የሚፈታ ህግ ያለባት አገር ሆናለች። ድንቅ የሚል ጉዳይ ነው። ኸረ እባካችሁ ጠይቁልኝ … ይቺ አገር የማን ናት? ለአሳሪውና ለፈቺው ህግ መብት ሰጥቶ ለታሳሪው እና ለተፈቺው ህግ የሚከለክው። ኸረ ደግማችሁም ጠይቁልኝ … ወያኔ ያለ-ምክንያት ሲያስር ዝም የሚለው ህግ ያለ-ምክንያት ሲፈታ ዝም የሚለውን የህግ መብት የሰጠው ማን ነው? የጸሃፊስ አሸባሪ የት አገር ነው ያለው? ብዕር ፈንጂ ሆነ እንዴ በወያኔ መንደር? ወይስ በነሱ እውቀት ደረጃ የተማረን ኃይል በተማረ ቋንቋ መመለስ ስለማይችሉ እውቀትና እውነት በነሱ ድርጅት ውስጥ ስሌለ ተብሎ እውቀት ያላቸውንና እውነትን የሚናገሩ ሰዎች በአገራቸው በግፍ መታሰር፣ መንገላታት፣ መሰቃየት፣ መገደል አለባቸው እንዴ? የህዝብ አመጽ እንዲፈጠር ምክንያት የሚሆኑት አንባገነን መንግስታቶች ናቸው። ይህንንም በታሪክ አተናል አሁንም በኢትዮጵያ እየታየ ያለው ይሄ ነው። ህዝብ የግፍ አገዛዝ እና የጭቆና ኑሮ ሰልችቶት በቃኝ ብሎ ከዳር እስከ ዳር አጋጣሚዎችን እየጠበቀ እና ያቺ ቀን ለአንባገነኖች መቀበሪያ እንደሆነች ያወቀው የአንባገነኖች የግፍ እና የጭቆና አገዛዝ አስመርሮት ነው።

ከዚህ ቀደም እንዳየነው ባላቸው የፖለቲካ አመለካከት ብቻ ወያኔን የሚተቹ እና የሚቃወሙ በመሆናቸው ወደ እስር ቤት ተወርውረዋል። አሳሪው በምን ህግ እንዳሰረ ሳይታወቅ ፖለቲከኞችን ወደ እስር ቤት አስገባቸው። በኋላም ከብዙ የእስር እና የስቃይ ግዜ በኋላ ፍርድ ቤቱ ነጻናቸው ቢላቸውም እስካሁን ግን አልተፈቱም – ከጥቂቶች በስተቀር። ለፍርድ ያልቀረቡ በፖለቲካ ሰበብ የታሰረው በመቶ ሺ የሚቆጠሩ ኢትዮጵያዊያንን እንዳሉም ልብ ልንለው ይገባል። አሁን እነዚህ ጦማሪያን ፊርድ ቤቱ ነጻ ናቸው ቢላቸውም ከዚህ ቀደም በፖለቲካ ሰዎች ላይ እንዳየነው አይነት ፊርድ ቤቱ ቢፈታቸውም ወያኔ ላይፈታቸው ይችል ይሆናል። በአገራችን በነጻነት የመኖሩ መብት የኢትዮጵያኑ ሁላ እንጂ የወያኔ አይደለም ስለነጻነታችን ፈቃጅም ከልካይም ሊሆን አይችልም።

ያለምክንያት ለታሰሩት፣ ያለምክንያት ግዜአቸው ለሚያልፍባቸው፣ ያለምክንያት ለሚሰቃዩት፣ ያለምክንያት ከስራ ገበታቸው ለሚባረሩት እና የስራቸው ግዜ በእስር ላሳለፉት፣ የሞራል እና ሌሎችንም ካሳ ተከፍሎአቸው አሳሪዎቹ ለፍርድ ሊቀርቡ ይገባል።

ብዙኃኑ ጋዜጠኞች፣ ጸሐፊያኖች፣ ፖለቲከኞች፣ አርቲስቶች፣ እሯጮች፣ እንዲሁም ሌሎችም ከሚወዱቷት አገር የሚሰደዱት አገራቸውን ጠልተው ሳይሆን በሚደርስባቸው ህገ-ወጥ ድርጊት በደል ሲያንገፈግፋቸው ነው። መንግስት ተብዬዎች ከሚያደርስባቸው ግፍ በመሸሽ አስቸጋሪውን የስደት ኑሮን ይመርጣሉ።

አሁን ለነዚህ ጦማሪያኖች ለመፈታታቸው ዋስትናቸው ምንድን ነው? ለመታሰራቸውስ ምክንያታቸው ምንድነው? ያለምክንያት ማሰር ያለ ምክንያት መፍታት ሲጀምር አንድ መንግስት ሲጨንቀው እና ፍራቻ በውስጡ ሲገባ ነው። ድንጋጤ ወደ ቤቱን ሲወጥረው ነው። ነገር ግን የህዝብ ጥያቄ ወይንም ትግል መሆን ያለበት ወያኔ ሲያስር ውይ ሲፈታ ደግሞ እሰይ ሳይሆን የኛ ጥያቄ ህግን ለማፈን በመጠቀም በስልጣን ላይ ቁጭ ብሎ የሚባልገውን የወያኔ አገዛዝ እስኪወድቅ ቆርጦ መታገል እና በኢትዮጵያ ውስጥ ህግ የበላይ ሆኖ እስከምናይ ድረስ ኢትዮጵያኑ ያለ-ምንም ፍራቻ ለነጻነቱ መታገል አለበት። ካለበለዛ በየትኛው የህግ ትእዛዝ እንደታሰሩ ሳያሳውቅ ያሰረ መንግስት በየትኛው የህግ ትእዛዝ እንደፈታ የማያሳውቅ መንግስት ነገስ በድጋሚ እነዚህ ጦማሪያን አልያም ፖለቲከኞች አልያም ጋዜጠኖች እንደማይታሰሩ ምን ዋስትና አለ? ነገስ በነጻነት ሃሳባቸውን በብዕራቸው እውነትን ለህዝባቸው ሲያሳውቁ አሸባሪ የሚል ህግ ተመዞባቸው በድጋሚ አለመታሰራቸው ምን ዋስትና አለ? ለነዚህ ኢትዮጵያዊያን ጦማሪያኖች ዋስትናቸው ወያኔ ሳይሆን የኢትዮጵያ ህዝብ ነው። አንባገነኖች ተገርስሰው ህዝብ የመረጣቸው መሪ እና ህዝቡን የሚያገለግል መንግስት እስከሚኖረን ድረስ ትግሉ ይቀጥላል። ነጻነት ለጦማሪያን። ነጻነት ለፖለቲከኞች፣ ነጻነት ለኢትዮጵያ ህዝብ!

* ከተማ ዋቅጅራ: waqjirak@yahoo.com

SBO Onkoloolessa 25, 2015. Oduu, Tumsa Bilisummaa Fi Dimookraasii Ummattootaa Hundeeffame Irratti Gaaffii Fi Deebii Bakka Bu’ootaa Dhaabaa Waliin Taasifame Akkasumas Tumsa fi Hundeeffama Waggaa 27ffaa SBO Kaanaadaa Tooroontoo

The Peoples’ Alliance for Freedom and Democracy (PAFD), a coalition of five national liberation struggles in Ethiopia: the Benishangul People’s Liberation Movement (BPLM), the Gambela People’s Liberation Movement (GPLM), the Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF), the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) and Sidama National Liberation Front (SNLF), was founded in Oslo, Norway, on October 22/23, 2015. Following its establishment, PAFD called a public meeting on October 24, 2015, in Oslo, to discuss about the alliance; here are some photos from that meeting.

The purpose of this campaign is to raise funds for the medical treatment of Mr. Adam Usman (better known as Adam “Daakhaa”). Since being severely wounded in 2007, Adam has not received the necessary treatment and is badly in need of medical attention. We ask that you donate generously and help this young man who sacrificed himself for his people. Adam is a close friend of the late Aisha Ali, the 14 year-old girl who was assisting Adam when she was abducted and brutally murdered by the Ethiopian security forces at Mount Sufi (Gaara Suufii) in 2007. His biography is written below. – Sirkanan Ahmed

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Seenaa Aadam Usmaan Boruu (ykn Aadam Daakhaa)
Maqaa guutuun kiyya Aadam Usmaan Boruu ja’ama. Maqaan moggee fi ittiin beekkamu Daakaa dha. Ani Baha Oromiyaa, ona Ituu, aanaa mi’eessoo ganda Daalachaatt, bara 1982 abbaa kiyya Usmaan Boruu fi Haadha tiyya Mareenaa Roobaa irraa dhaladhe. Ani wayta umriin koo barnootaaf gahutti carraa barachuu sababa adda addaatiin argachuu hin dandeenye. Garuu waytaan umrii dargaggummaa gahu barachuu dhabuun kiyya tasgabbii naaf laachuu dinnaan umrii koo ganna 21ti mana bornootaa sadarkaa 1ffaa odaa asaboot, bara 2001 jalqabe.

Click Here to Read More & Visit the Donation Page

(OroMedia, Mattuu, 24 Onkoloolessa 2015) Yeroo addaddaatti hidhaa keessatti dararamaa kan ture Barataa Tarreessaa Safaraa Onkoloolessa 23 galgala mooraa Yunivarsiitii Mattuu keessatti ajjeefamuun gabaasame.

Maddi gabaasaa keenyaa akka himetti, barataan kun yeroo hedduu humnoota tikaatiin hordofamaa ture.

Hiriyyoota isaattis, akka hordofamaa jiru himaa ture.

Tarreessaan eenyuu?
Barataa Tarreessaa Safaraa utuu barnoota idileerra jiruu bara 1999 barataa kutaa 11 ta’ee osoo jiruu yakka shororkeessummaan himatamee murteen waggaa 10 erga itti murtaa’e. Kanumaan mana hidhaa Maa’ikelaawwii, Qaallittii, Qilinxoo fi Zuwaayitti jijjiiramee hidhamaa ture.

Haataúutii baratan kun yeroo hidhaa keessa turetti, hidhaa fi roorroof otuu hin jilbeeffanne, hiree argametti dhimma bahee beekumsaa fi dandeettii isa aguddifachaa ture.

Wayita mana hidhaa turettis tattaaffii inni waa dubbisee waa barachuuf godhaa ture namooti hedduu dinqisiifachaa kan turan hiriyooti isaa ragaa bahu.

Turtii waggaa jahaa fi ji’a saddet booda mana hidhaa bahe barnoota isaa bara 2007 xumuruun bara kana yuniversiitii Mattuutti ramadamee ture; akkanaan barnootatti deebi’uun hawwiisaa galmaan gahachuuf carraaqqii godheen Yunivarsiitii Mattuu muummee Injiinariingii seene.

Tarreessaa Eenyutu ajjeesee?
Oduun caasaa mootummaa iffaa facaafama ajiru, Tarreessaan of ajjeese kan jedhuudha. Haata’uutii, Tarreessan sababa of ajjeesuuf akka hin qabne, kanneen itti dhiyaatan ragaa dha. “Tarreessaan of ajjeese jedhamee himamaa jira; kun waan taúu natti hin fakaatu,” kan jedhe barataan nageenya isaatiif jecha maqaa isaa jijjiiree “Olumaa” nuun jedhee, “Tarreessan kan ajjeefame humnoota tikaatiin; kun shakkii tokko illee hin qabu,” jedheera.

Tarreessaan goota obsa, kutannoo fi qabsoo Oromoof jaalala guddaa qabu, dargaggeessa qaroo ture.

Tarreessaan eessatti dhalate?
Barataa Engineeringii Waggaa 1ffaa kan ture, Tarreessaa Safaraa Lammeessaa Godina Horroo Guduruu Wallaggaa Magaalaa Shaambuu dhalate. Yuunivarsiitii Mattuu erga seenees amala gaarii akn qabu, naamusaa fi kabajaan hiriyyoota isaa waliin barumsa isaa hordofaa ture.

Haata’u malee guyyaa kaleessaa doormii dhabamuun har’a reeffi isaa argame. Ajjeechaan ilmaan Oromoo qaroo ta’an irratti raawwatamu har’as itti fufeera.

International media outlets continue to report about the founding of the Peoples’ Alliance for Freedom and Democracy, PAFD – the newly formed coalition of national liberation struggles for the right to national self-determination in Ethiopia (the member organizations of PAFD, i.e. BPLM, GPLM, OLF, ONLF and SNLF, represent more than 60% of the nations, nationalities and peoples in Ethiopia – a population that is inhabiting an area that is ~70% of Ethiopia). Below is how ‘U.S. News & World Report’ reported about the formation of PAFD; other news outlets, such as ABC News, The New York Times and The Washington Post have also carried the story.

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Ethiopia: 5 opposition groups in exile say they have formed alliance seeking change back home

KAMPALA, Uganda (AP) — Five Ethiopian dissident groups in exile said they have formed an alliance to bring a change of government back home, describing Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn’s government as oppressive.

The new group is called the Peoples’ Alliance for Freedom and Democracy, according to a joint statement issued Friday in Oslo, Norway, where the groups met recently.

The alliance was formed by the Benishangul People’s Liberation Movement, the Gambella People’s Liberation Movement, the Ogaden National Liberation Front, the Oromo Liberation Front and the Sidama National Liberation Front, the statement said.

“The (alliance) will create an opportunity for all peoples in Ethiopia to co-create a transitional political order that is based on the consent of all peoples, where the outmoded hegemonic culture of a single group dominating the rest is dismantled and a new just political order is established, where the respect of the right to self-determination is genuinely granted to all,” the statement said. The group said it “will conduct diplomatic, advocacy, information and other campaigns to change the current undemocratic political culture and oppressive system in Ethiopia.”

– READ MORE (USNews.com)

For the reports on Los Angeles/CA/USA and London/UK, please scroll down.

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Irreecha in Las Vegas (In Pictures):

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Irreecha in Los Angeles (In Video):

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Irreecha in London (Text/Pictorial Report)

Ayyaanni Irreessaa magaalaa London keessatti sirna ho’aan kabajame. Ayyaanni kun kan kabajame Fulbaana 26, 2015 yommuu ta’u lammiiwwan Oromoo dhibbootaan lakkaawwamanii fi kanneen biroos irratti argaman.

Kutaa tokkoffaan Ayyaana kanaa ka kabajame dirree Parliamentary Hill Fields, Highgate Road jedhamutti waaree dura sa’a 11:30 irraa kaasee hanga waaree boda sa’a 2:00tti yommuu ta’u kutaan 2ffaa isaa ammo waaree booda sa’a 3:00 irraa hanga halkan sa’a 10:00tti galma Ring Cross Community Centre jedhamu keessatti kabajame.

Dirree Parliamentary Hill Fields, Highgate Road jedhamutti sagantaa dursee kabaja kanaaf bahe hordofuun jaarsoliin shaman Gadaa ebba yommuu kennan battala kanatti dubartoota Oromoon ka qophaawe buna qalaa, bookaa fi dhangaan adda addaa dhihaate. Jaarsoliin shana Gadaas dhangaa kana irraa dhandhamuu fi booka dhihaateef irraas unatuun gara umatatti dabarsanii ummatnis akkuma kana mijuu kana irraa dabareen unatee dhangicha irraas qooddate.

Jaarsoliin Gadaa dhuma irratti dhaamsa dabarsan keessatti Irreechi aadaa Oromoo abbootii irraa dabraa dhufee dhaloota ammaa kana irra ga’uu isaa fi ji’oota roobaa dabarsee gara birraatti cehuu isaatiif gammachuu isaa yeroo itti waaqa isaaf galata galchu ta’uu ibsan.

Ummatni Ayyaana kana kabajuuf yaa’e uffata aadaa uffachuun toora galee weedduu Ayyaana waggaa kana weeddisaa daandii irra deemuun ayyaanichi surraa guddaa akka argatu godhe. Yeroo kanatti ‘Maareewoo! Maareewoo! Akkasumas ‘Iyyoolee Daree’ fi kkf weeddifame.

Galma Ring Cross keessatti sa’a 3 irraa hanga sa’a 10tti nyaata, dhugaatii, sirba aadaa, muuziqaa fi qophiin adda addaa ummata bashannansiise.

Dhuma irratti waamicha hawaasni Oromoo UK dabarse kabajuun kanneen ayyana Irreechaa kana irratti argaman hunda, akkasumas dubartoota nyaataa fi dhugaatii tola dhiheessanii fi dargaggoota muuziqaan ummata bashannansiisan, walumaagala ayyaanni kun akka milkiin kabajamu gochuuf kanneen tattaaffii godhan hunda koreen hojii geggeessituu hawaasa Oromoo UK galateeffatuun ayyaanicha kabajuun sa’a 10:00 irratti xumurame.

The following statement of Urgent Action and Appeal on the case of Mr. Dabassa Guyo, the recently disappeared Oromo Gadaa Wisdom-Keeper, and other Oromo refugees and asylum-seekers in Kenya, is from the Human Rights League of the Horn of Africa (HRLHA); HRLHA is a non-political organization (with the UN Economic and Social Council – ECOSOC – Consultative Status), which attempts to challenge abuses of human rights of the people of various nations and nationalities in the Horn of Africa.

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Document from the Ethiopian government’s Intelligence Unit (document acquired by HRLHA) lists some 131 Oromo Nationals as targets, including Mr. Dabassa Guyo, who’s listed at the #1 target (see the full list below).

Kenya: Oromo Refugees and Asylum-Seekers are at Risk

HRLHA’s Urgent Action and Appeal

October 25, 2015

For Immediate Release

(Contact Details:- Appeal To: The President of the Republic of Kenya, Your Excellency President Uhuru Kenyatta; WEB: http://www.president.go.ke; TEL: +254 733 330 080; +254 20 2227 436; +254 724 256 522; +254 203 247000; LINK: @UKenyatta on Twitter; PO. Box 74434-00200 Nairobi, Kenya)

Your Excellency,

First of all, the Human Rights League of the Horn of Africa (HRLHA) would like to express its appreciation to the people of Kenya and to its government for their hospitality and kindness towards thousands of Oromo and other refugees and asylum-seekers who have fled their homes to escape government persecutions in Ethiopia, and who are now residing in different parts of the Republic of Kenya, including in the capital city, Nairobi. From the early 1990’s, when the TPLF government came to power, to the present, hundreds of thousands of Oromo and other nationals have run away from arbitrary violent detentions, degrading tortures and killings in Ethiopia to save their lives by seeking refuge in the Republic of Kenya and other neighboring countries.

However, the Human Rights League of the Horn of Africa (HRLHA) expresses its deep concern regarding the safety of all Oromo national refugees and asylum-seekers presently residing in the Republic of Kenya because of the document it recently received from its informants. The document was written by the Ethiopian government agency, the so-called “Anti-Terrorist Unit,” and sent to the government of the Republic of Kenya. It addresses the bi-lateral agreement signed by both countries in 2012.

In this communiqué [see attachment herein], the Ethiopian government’s “Anti-Terrorist Unit” reminds the government of the Republic of Kenya of the bi-lateral agreement made between the two countries in 2012, an agreement that expresses issues of common interest, such as terrorism, on which both countries should find a common solution. The communiqué discloses the names of 131 Oromo Nationals, and their addresses and telephone numbers in Nairobi and in different township areas; the agency claimed the source of its information was the Ethiopian intelligence unit. In the names listed among the 131 Oromo Nationals in this communiqué is Mr. Dabassa Guyo, an Oromo cultural legend who recently disappeared in Nairobi. His name was at the top of the list (#1).

The full list of Oromo refugees and asylum-seekers in Kenya identified as targets by the Ethiopian government (document acquired by HRLHA):

The disappearance of Mr. Dabassa Guyo Safarro is disheartening and HRLHA is deeply shocked.

Mr. Dabassa Guyo Safarro, age 80, a resident of Mololongo, Kenya, for more than thirty-five years disappeared on September 27, 2015, in Nairobi. The HRLHA is highly suspicious that the disappearance of Mr. Dabassa Guyo Safarro is connected with the campaign of Ethiopian authorities labelling Oromo refugees in Nairobi as terrorists. HRLHA also suspects that Mr. Dabassa Guyo Safarro is being held in Nairobi, or might have been deported to Ethiopia. In either case, the Kenyan authorities have an international legal obligation to not hand over Ethiopian refugees and asylum-seekers residing in their territory to the Ethiopian government, and need to disclose the whereabouts of Mr. Dabassa Goya Safarro to his family and the public – and give the reason for his arrest.

In case Mr. Dabassa Guyo Safarro has been handed over to Ethiopia, it should be noted that the Ethiopian government has a well-documented record of gross and flagrant violations of human rights, including the torturing of its own citizens who were involuntarily returned to the country. The government of Ethiopia routinely imprisons such persons and sentences them to life in prison, and often imposes the death penalty. There have been credible reports of physical and psychological abuses committed against individuals in Ethiopian official prisons and other unofficial or secret detention centers. Under Article 33 (1) of the Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees (189 U.N.T.S. 150), to which Kenya is a party, “[n]o contracting state shall expel or forcibly return a refugee in any manner whatsoever to the frontiers of territories where his life or freedom would be threatened on account of his … political opinion.” This obligation, which is also a principle of customary international law, applies to both asylum-seekers and refugees, as affirmed by UNHCR’s Executive Committee and the United Nations General Assembly. By deporting refugees, the government of the Republic of Kenya will be breaching its obligations under international treaties as well as customary law.

1. Under the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (1465 U.N.T.S. 185), to which Kenya agreed in 1997, Kenya has an obligation not to return a person to a place where they face torture or ill-treatment. Article 3 of the Convention Against Torture provides: No state party shall expel, return (“refouler”) or extradite a person to another state where there are substantial grounds to believe that they would be in danger of being subjected to torture.

2. For the purpose of determining whether there are such grounds, the competent authorities shall take into account all relevant considerations including, where applicable, the existence in the state concerned of a consistent pattern of gross, flagrant or mass violations of human rights. We strongly urge the government of Kenya to respect the international treaties and obligations it has signed and ratified.

Therefore, HRLHA would like to draw the attention of Western governments, the UN Human Rights Council, the EU Human Rights Commission, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights as well as other regional and international human rights organizations and NGOs to these worrisome safety situations of Oromo refugees in the Republic of Kenya and take all necessary actions against:

– The Ethiopian government to refrain from labeling its citizens as terrorists who are resisting its dictatorial administration;

– The government of the Republic of Kenya should not collaborate with the Ethiopian dictatorial government to criminalize the Oromo and other refugees and asylum-seekers currently living in its territory.

Background Information:
The Kenyan government is well known for handing over refugees to the Ethiopian government by violating the above mentioned international obligations. It is very disheartening to recall that Engineer Tesfahun Chemeda, who was tortured to death on August 24, 2013, in Ethiopia’s grand jail of Kaliti, was handed over to the Ethiopian government’s security agents in 2007 by the Kenyan government. Tesfahun Chemeda was arrested by the Kenyan anti-terrorist forces, along with his close friend Mesfin Abebe, in 2007 in Nairobi, Kenya, where both had lived as refugees since 2005. Both were later deported to Ethiopia. The Ethiopian government detained them in an underground jail in a military camp for over one year, during which time they were subjected to severe torture and other types of inhuman treatments until when they were taken to court and charged with terrorism offenses in December 2008. They were eventually sentenced to life imprisonment in March 2010. (Mesfin’s death sentence was later commuted.) The Human Rights League of the Horn of Africa (HRLHA) is highly concerned for the safety and security of Mr. Dabassa Guyo Safarro, who disappeared in Nairobi on September 27, 2015, whose name along with the above listed refugees was also labeled by the Ethiopian government as terrorists and those who are still living in Kenya. It urges the government of Kenya to respect international treaties and obligations, and to not cooperate with the Ethiopian unfounded allegations and disclose the whereabouts of Mr. Dabassa Guyo Safarro. The Kenyan government should also reject the unfounded allegations of Ethiopian government against Oromo national refugees and asylum-seekers residing in Kenya.

HRLHA requests the governments of the Western countries as well as international organizations to interfere in this matter so that the whereabouts of Mr. Dabassa Guyo are disclosed, and the safety and security of the refugees of those currently staying in Kenya are ensured.

RECOMMENDED ACTION:
1. Please send appeals to the President, the Kenyan Parliament, and the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Kenya and its concerned officials as swiftly as possible, in English, or your own language;

2. Urge the authorities of Kenya to ensure that Mr. Dabassa Guyo Safarro is treated in accordance with regional and international standards on the treatment of prisoners;

3. Urge the authorities in Kenya to completely reject the unfounded allegations of the Ethiopian dictatorial government about Oromo refugees living in Kenya.

Copied To:

Kenyan Parliament Office
Address: City Square, Nairobi, Kenya
Phone: +254 20 2221 291
Fax: (254-2) 2243 694
E-mail: clerk@parliament.go.ke

Ministry of Justice, National Cohesion and Constitutional Affairs
Address: PO Box 56057-00200, Co-operative Bank House, Nairobi
Phone: +254 20 224029/24033
Fax: +254 20 316317

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugee (UNHCR)
Mr. Antonio Guterres
Case Postale 2500 CH-1211 Geneve 2 Depot Suisse
E-mails: infoDesk@ohchr.org; GUTERRES@unhcr.org

The UNHCR Representation in Kenya
P.O. Box 43801-00100 GPO, Nairobi, Kenya
Tel: 41 22 739 7280
E-mail: kenna@unhcr.org

Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights United Nations Office at Geneva
1211 Geneva 10, Switzerland
Fax: + 41 22 917 9022
(particularly for urgent matters) E-mail: tb-petitions@ohchr.org

African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR)
48 Kairaba Avenue, P. O. Box 673, Banjul, The Gambia
Tel: (220) 439 29 62; (202) 437 20 7; (202) 437 77 21; (202) 437 77 23
Fax: (220) 439 07 64
E-mail: achpr@achpr.org

Office of the Commissioner for Human Rights Council of Europe
F-67075 Strasbourg Cedex, FRANCE
+ 33 (0)3 88 41 34 21; + 33 (0)3 90 21 50 53

U.S. Department of State
Short Echalar Julie A – shortJA@state.gov
Trim, Vernelle, Ethiopian Desk Officer – trimvx@state.gov

The Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) has formed a political alliance with four political organizations – namely, the Benishangul People’s Liberation Movement (BPLM), the Gambela People’s Liberation Movement (GPLM), the Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) and the Sidama National Liberation Front (SNLF); the name of the new coalition is the Peoples’ Alliance for Freedom and Democracy (PAFD). PAFD was founded in Oslo, Norway, after its member organizations met for a 2-day conference culminating on October 23, 2015. According to the press-release, “PAFD will create an opportunity for all peoples in Ethiopia to co-create a transitional political order that is based on the consent of all peoples, where the outmoded hegemonic culture of a single group dominating the rest is dismantled and a new just political order is established, where the respect of the right to self-determination is genuinely granted to all” (READ MORE BELOW). The following is a report by Radio Afuura Biyyaa on PAFD.

RELATED REPORTS ABOUT PAFD …

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(October 24, 2015) – Five National Liberation Struggles in Ethiopia Form Alliance, PAFD (Oromo, Benishangul, Gambela, Ogaden & Sidama) | Press-Release, Declaration and Photos from the Founding Congress

Press-Release, Declaration and photos from the Founding Congress of Peoples’ Alliance for Freedom and Democracy (PAFD), a coalition of five national liberation struggles in Ethiopia: the Benishangul People’s Liberation Movement (BPLM), the Gambela People’s Liberation Movement (GPLM), the Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF), the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) and Sidama National Liberation Front (SNLF) – in Oslo on October 23, 2015

Press Release: The Founding of Peoples’ Alliance for Freedom and Democracy (PAFD)

Delegates of Benishangul People’s Liberation Movement (BPLM), Gambella People’s Liberation Movement (GPLM), Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF), Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) and Sidama National Liberation Front (SNLF) met in Oslo, Norway from 22 October to 23 October 2015 to lay the foundation of political alliance between the peoples in Ethiopia and have formed the Peoples Alliance for Freedom and Democracy (PAFD).

The PAFD will create an opportunity for all peoples in Ethiopia to co-create a transitional political order that is based on the consent of all peoples, where the outmoded hegemonic culture of a single group dominating the rest is dismantled and a new just political order is established, where the respect of the right to self-determination is genuinely granted to all.

PAFD will conduct diplomatic, advocacy, information and other campaigns to change the current undemocratic political culture and oppressive system in Ethiopia.

PAFD will have a Governing Council (GC) composed of representatives of the political leadership of the founding organisations and members representing the civil societies of the respective communities.

The Governing Council will elect an Executive Committee (EC), a chairperson and two vice-chairpersons that rotate yearly among the organization members. The Executive Committee will be the standing committee and will have the bureaus of diplomacy, organization, finance, information and others.

PAFD call upon all peoples in Ethiopia to join the alliance and support it in order to end the suffering and dehumanization of all peoples in Ethiopia by the current government. PAFD call upon the regional and international communities, to play a positive role in diffusing this looming danger by supporting the peoples in Ethiopia rather than the illegitimate government before it is too late.

Finally, PAFD call upon the current government in Ethiopia to refrain from all acts of violence, respect human rights, obey the rule of law, and commit to peaceful and democratic resolution of political conflicts.

Issued by PAFD

Oslo, Norway
October 23, 2015

Contacts:

PAFD email: PAFD22102015@gmail.com

– BPLM +2917296477
– GPLM +12042185988
– ONLF +447940624477
– OLF +4797357264
– SNLF +44 7984480752

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Declaration of the Establishment of the Peoples’ Alliance for Freedom and Democracy (PAFD)

– Benishangul People’s Liberation Movement (BPLM),
– Gambela People’s Liberation Movement (GPLM),
– Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF),
– Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) and
– Sidama National Liberation Front (SNLF)

Considering the grave injustices and oppression perpetrated by the current regime in Ethiopia;

Concerned by the massive propaganda campaign undertaken by the Ethiopian government intended to deceive the peoples in Ethiopia and the international community in order to legitimise and continue its dictatorial and repressive rule;

Cognizant of the need for a united effort among the oppressed peoples in Ethiopia to put an end to the unremitting cruel repression perpetrated by successive and current regimes of the empire;

Taking into account the current lack of political vision by some opposition groups in Ethiopia to embrace the political and social changes that Ethiopia has undergone over the last fifty years, as the result of the heavy prices paid by the nations in Ethiopia for the right of self-determination and rejecting their archaic adherence to political precepts no longer tenable in the 21st century, such as negating the rights of nations in Ethiopia to self-determination;

Categorically stating that our peoples, who fought and still continue fighting with their blood against successive oppressive regimes in Ethiopia, will never give up on the fruits of their struggle and allow reversal of their historic gains for the right of self-determination;

Have formed the Peoples’ Alliance for Freedom and Democracy (PAFD), which will foster the favorable conditions that will bring an opportunity for all the peoples in Ethiopia to co-create a political order that will practically allow all to exercise genuine democratic rights including the right to self-determination;

Therefore, the Peoples’ Alliance for Freedom and Democracy (PAFD) will:

1. Strive through the peoples’ power to dismantle the outmoded hegemonic culture of a single group dominating the rest and will establish and a new, just political order.

2. Establish a Political Order that derive its legal authority through effective, democratically elected organs and legal processes that are based on a pluralist consensus and genuine universal suffrage where relationships are established through impartial and authentic exercise of self-determination where both individual and people’s rights are fully respected.

3. Endeavour to achieve a peaceful and orderly transfer of power to the peoples in Ethiopia by engaging representatives of all the different nations, nationalities and other stakeholders committed to genuine democracy in Ethiopia.

4. Guarantee that all changes, arrangements and configurations that are intended to end the recurrent conflicts in Ethiopia must be based on the will and consent of each and every nation and nationality in the Ethiopian empire state.

Finally, the PAFD calls on all concerned parties, including the current government of Ethiopia, the representatives of all nations and nationalities in Ethiopia, with the facilitation of the international community, to seize this opportunity and hold a comprehensive conference to create a broader roadmap to thereby resolve the enormous problems confronting the Ethiopian Empire state.

PAFD also calls the international community to respect the wishes, desires and rights of all the nations and nationalities in Ethiopia in their engagments and understand that all status quo is untenable, and a recipe for a simmering disaster that will end in castarophe unless remedied in opportune time.

Peoples’ Alliance for Freedom and Democracy

Oslo, Norway

October 23, 2015

Contacts:

PAFD email: PAFD22102015@gmail.com

Members Telephones:
– BPLM +2917296477
– GPLM +12042185988
– ONLF +447940624477
– OLF +4797357264
– SNLF +44 7984480752

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Photos from the Founding Congress:

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(October 25, 2015) – OVR: Ob. Toleeraa Adabaa of OLF Talks About PAFD – the New Alliance of National Liberation Struggles in Ethiopia

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SBO – October 25, 2015 – News and Coverage of the PAFD Establishment

SBO Onkoloolessa 25, 2015. Oduu, Tumsa Bilisummaa Fi Dimookraasii Ummattootaa Hundeeffame Irratti Gaaffii Fi Deebii Bakka Bu’ootaa Dhaabaa Waliin Taasifame Akkasumas Tumsa fi Hundeeffama Waggaa 27ffaa SBO Kaanaadaa Tooroontoo

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(October 25, 2015) – In Pictures: The Public Meeting Called Following the Establishment of PAFD (Alliance of 5 National Liberation Struggles in Ethiopia)

The Peoples’ Alliance for Freedom and Democracy (PAFD), a coalition of five national liberation struggles in Ethiopia: the Benishangul People’s Liberation Movement (BPLM), the Gambela People’s Liberation Movement (GPLM), the Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF), the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) and Sidama National Liberation Front (SNLF), was founded in Oslo, Norway, on October 22/23, 2015. Following its establishment, PAFD called a public meeting on October 24, 2015, in Oslo, to discuss about the alliance; here are some photos from that meeting.

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(October 25, 2015) – International News Media Report about PAFD, Newly Established Coalition of National Liberation Movements for the Right to National Self-Determination in Ethiopia

International media outlets continue to report about the founding of the Peoples’ Alliance for Freedom and Democracy, PAFD – the newly formed coalition of national liberation struggles for the right to national self-determination in Ethiopia (the member organizations of PAFD, i.e. BPLM, GPLM, OLF, ONLF and SNLF, represent more than 60% of the nations, nationalities and peoples in Ethiopia – a population that is inhabiting an area that is ~70% of Ethiopia). Below is how ‘U.S. News & World Report’ reported about the formation of PAFD; other news outlets, such as ABC News, The New York Times and The Washington Post have also carried the story.

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Ethiopia: 5 opposition groups in exile say they have formed alliance seeking change back home

KAMPALA, Uganda (AP) — Five Ethiopian dissident groups in exile said they have formed an alliance to bring a change of government back home, describing Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn’s government as oppressive.

The new group is called the Peoples’ Alliance for Freedom and Democracy, according to a joint statement issued Friday in Oslo, Norway, where the groups met recently.

The alliance was formed by the Benishangul People’s Liberation Movement, the Gambella People’s Liberation Movement, the Ogaden National Liberation Front, the Oromo Liberation Front and the Sidama National Liberation Front, the statement said.

“The (alliance) will create an opportunity for all peoples in Ethiopia to co-create a transitional political order that is based on the consent of all peoples, where the outmoded hegemonic culture of a single group dominating the rest is dismantled and a new just political order is established, where the respect of the right to self-determination is genuinely granted to all,” the statement said. The group said it “will conduct diplomatic, advocacy, information and other campaigns to change the current undemocratic political culture and oppressive system in Ethiopia.”

– READ MORE (USNews.com)

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(October 25, 2015) – Supporters of OLF, BPLM, GPLM, ONLF & SNLF Celebrate Formation of PAFD at Joint Concert in Oslo

Abbaa Liiban Dabbasaa Guyyoo Saffarroo – Keeniyaa Keessatti as Buuten Dhabame

Abbaa Liiban Dabbasaan Eenyu?

Abbaa Liiban Dabbasaa Guyyoo Saffarroo maanguddoo dhalataan naannaa Booranaa, Taltallee yoo ta’an Yaa’abal’otti guddatanii Dirree Liiban jjiraachudhaan waggaa dheeraf Gadaa Oromoo qorataa turan, nama gara ganna 80 ta’ani. Waggaa 35 duraa dhiibbaa mootummaa Darguutin gara Keeniyaa galan.

Waggoota Keeniyaa jiraatan kana keessa Abbaa Liiban Dabbasaa Guyyoo Saffarroo Gadaa Oromoo hayyoota hedduu barsiisaa, odeeffannoo kennaa turan. Hayyuu waayee Gadaa qorate hunduu kan Dabbasaa hindubbisin heddu miti.

Abbaa Liiban Dabbasaan waggaa 15 dura namooota fedha Gadaa qaban waliin ta’uudhan ARGAA DHAGEETTII GADAA OROMOO Keeniyaatti – Daagoratitti hundeessan. Kunillee maandhee Gadaa Oromoo keessatti barsiisan jechuudha. San booda kanumaan walitti qabsiisun biyyoo Ameerikaa Kibbaa (Guatemala), Rusiyaa, Ameerikaa Kaabaa, Noorwee kkf deemudhaan waayee Gadaa, aadaa, duudhaa Oromoo barsiisaa turan.

Beekumsi maanguddoon kuni qaban kan addaa ta’uu namoonni isa dhaggeeffatan hunduu ragaa bahu. Abbaa Liiban Dabbasaan seenaa, raaga, aadaa, safuu, seeda, kkf bakka fi guyyaa akkasumas akkaataa waliin yaadachuudhan tarreessanii seenaa bara kuma hedduu duraa akka hara’a waan ta’eetti qulqulleessanii kaahudhaan nama himuu danda’ani.

Abbaa Liiban Dabbasaa Guyyoo Saffarroo nama garee kamiifuu gooranii miti. Nama amantii fi siyaasan nama gargar baasanii miti. Ilaalchaa nagaa addunyaatif gaarii nama qaban, nama safuu beekan, kan daangaa namatti hindabarre.

Hayyuu keenyaa, beekaa beekaa caalu kana akka tasaa Naaroobii-Keeniyaa keessatti guyyaa Birraa 27.09.2015 Irreecha oolanii yoo galan dhabamuun isaanii Oromoo hundaafuu rifaatuu guddaadha. Gadda gadda caalu.

Abbaa Liiban Dabbasaa Guyyoo Saffarroo bakka dhokfamee akka argamu Waaqayyo gurraachi nu haa gargaaru jechaaa nullee akka jabaannee kaanu isin gaafanna!

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Maati fi barattoota isaa

Tujubee Horaa | VOA

WASHINGTON DC — Paartiileen mormitootaa shan: Sochiin Bilisumaa Uummata Benishaangul, Sochiin Bilisummaa Uummata Gaambellaa, Addi Bilisummaa Biyyoolessaa Ogaaden, Addi Bilisummaa Oromoo fi Addi Bilisummaa Biyyoolessaa Sidaamaa, xumura torban dabree irra tumsa haarawa polotikaa hundeeffachuu isaanii beeksisan.

Biyya Noorwee, magaalaa Osloo keessatti – Onkoloolessaa 22 fi 23 walga’uudhaan, “Tumsa Uummatootaa Bilisummaa fi Dimookiraasiif” ka jedhamu tumsa polotikaa haaraa hundeeffachuu isaanii, ibsa ejjennoo facaasaniin kan ibsan hoogganoonni dhaabbatoota kanaa “PAFD yokaan, akka afaan Oromootti TUBD – jedhamuun kan waamamu tumsi polotikaa haaraan kun – akka ummatoonni Itiyoophiyaa keessaa marti gamtaadhaan sirna cehumsa siyaasaa fedhii uummatoota maraa irra madde hundeeffatan hiree kennaaf” jedhu.

PAFD yokaan Tumsi Uummatootaa, ka Bilisummaa fi Dimookiraasiifii – sirna abbaa irree, ka gareen tokko warra kaan dhuunfatee bulchu diiguudhaan, sirna haqa siyaasaa haaraa, ka mirgi hiree-murteeffannoo uummatoota maraa dhugumatti itti kabajamu ijaaruuf ka qabsaa’uu ta’uu illee ibsa ejjennoo bahe kana keessatti ibsanii jiran.

Bakka-bu’oota tumsa kanatti hirmaatan keessaa miseensa koree hoji raawwachiiftuu ABO Obbo Toleeraa Adabaa ibsa nuuf kennanii jiran.

– VOA