Statement by the Congress for Somali Cause on the Ongoing War on the Oromo People
08/CSC/May/2022 Date: May 03, 2022 For Immediate Release
The Congress for Somali Cause (CSC) is deeply saddened by the brutal and unrelenting military operations that Abiy Ahmed’s administration has launched against the Oromo people in the Oromia region. Pursuing the principle of “drying the sea to catch the fish,” PM Abiy’s government has killed hundreds of innocent Oromo civilians and imprisoned and tortured many more. The fact that, during this military campaign, the government used drones and aerial gunships indiscriminately against heavily populated areas in the region illustrates the level of moral depravity and violence carried out against the civilians in the Oromia region. Indeed, Prime Minister Abiy’s preference for war over dialogue to resolve political issues and differences has gradually become obvious. Today, because of Abiy’s leadership style and lack of political and social nous, the country’s political system is in disarray and its economy is shattered.
When PM Abiy took the helm of the government at the beginning of the second quarter of 2018, he promised to bring unity and prosperity to a country that was torn asunder by ethnic strives, violence, and chronic economic hardship. However, immediately after taking the oath of office, PM Abiy embarked on an ambitious reform programme that raised expectations to a dangerous level and led Ethiopians and international communities to unrealistic optimism. While such excitement and optimism have gradually faded, the Oromo people have shown commendable resilience and patience, believing that the PM would change the course. But unfortunately, the security forces of the government employed, through the command posts, brutal security measures started to violate the people’s inalienable rights. The violent campaign against the Oromo people and their aspirations has recently increased both in scale and intensity. This, coupled with the genocidal war against Tigrayans and other ethnic and religious conflicts the country is experiencing now, will surely weaken the likelihood of conducting a constructive and genuine political dialogue through which the ever-widening political and social differences could be addressed.
Therefore, the CSC is wholeheartedly supporting the struggle for self-rule of the Oromo people, who have every right to fight for their cause, and thus it is not befitting for the Somali regional administration to get bogged down in this fight, taking the side of the Abiy government. If Somalis, cannot support the Oromos, we should not be used against our brothers and sisters who are rightfully struggling for the right of their people in particular and the peace-loving Ethiopian people in general. We believe the time has come for all Ethiopians to stand together and reject violence as a means to resolve political differences. We call upon all Ethiopians to challenge the Prosperity Party’s (PP) cliques that are destroying the nation’s fabric to change its course. Ethiopia needs a course correction and meaningful reforms the dire situation demands.
CSC is clearly and loudly stating that democratizing Ethiopia as a multinational state is the only way and the right direction for the country. Therefore, we call upon all Ethiopians to stand together, denounce Abiy’s genocidal wars, and focus our efforts on working out a framework that allows a dignified exit from the wars of choice and resumes peaceful coexistence among all the cultural/linguistic communities in Ethiopia. Similarly, we urge the Prosperity Party leaders to step back and think seriously about where this slippery slope will lead the country. Our only option is obviously to find a way to peacefully live with human dignity.
Freedom and Justice for all!!
