The Resolutions Passed by the OLF-OLA Central Committee (CC-OLF-OLA) outline a comprehensive strategic direction for the Oromo Liberation Front – Oromo Liberation Army (OLF-OLA) following its nine-day regular session held from November 28, 2024, to December 6, 2024. This session resulted in key decisions that address the current challenges and reaffirm the organization’s commitment to the Oromo people’s struggle for freedom, justice, and selfdetermination. A summary of the key points:
- The assembly reaffirmed the mission of the OLF-OLA to honour the sacrifices of our martyrs by unifying the goals of the OLF and OLA under a single leadership. This unity has bolstered the OLA, enabling it to extend its reach from rural Oromia to the outskirts of Finfinne (Addis Ababa) and garner some international recognition for the Oromo cause.
- The ruling Prosperity Party has completely failed to manage, let alone resolve, Ethiopia’s escalating political and security crises. The committee highlighted the full exercise fundamental rights—such as the freedom of assembly, movement, expression, and selfdetermination—remain unthinkable under the current regime. These violations not only undermine any aspirations to democracy but also create an environment where peaceful dialogue and resolution become impossible.
- The session exposed the regime’s so-called “peace” propaganda as a deliberate effort to mislead both the Oromo people and the international community. This misinformation campaign attempts to portray a false image of stability and dialogue, while the reality on the ground is marked by ongoing war crimes, human rights abuses, and political repression. The assembly emphasized that under the current regime, the Oromo political question cannot be resolved peacefully due to the regime’s failure to engage in genuine dialogue. The persistent injustices therefore continue to justify the need for a lawful and just armed resistance as a means of securing the Oromo people’s rights and freedoms. However, the OLF-OLA made it clear that they remain open to genuine dialogue — one that sincerely addresses the political, economic, and social demands of our people.
- The success of the Oromo cause depends on matching demands with strength. The assembly urged the Oromo people, intellectuals, and business leaders to play active roles in supporting the movement through armed resistance, political activism, and diplomatic efforts.
- Attempts by the regime to infiltrate and divide the Oromo liberation movement have been foiled. Opportunistic actors with personal agendas do not represent the OLF, the OLA or any segment of the Oromo movement.
- Our intelligence reports have confirmed that the Ethiopian government is scheming to mislead the international community by showcasing fake “surrendered fighters” as part of a fraudulent DDR (Disarmament, Demobilization, Reintegration) program. This tactic aims to solicit international funds under the pretence of promoting peace and stability. The assembly cautions the international community to be vigilant and sceptical of any DDR-related funding requests from the regime. Such funds are certain to be repurposed to fuel the ongoing civil war and suppress the struggle for freedom. Supporting this deceptive initiative risks prolonging conflict and enabling further abuses.
- The assembly calls upon all forces resisting the regime to focus their efforts on the vertical struggle against the oppressive system and its enablers. It urges fighters to avoid allowing the regime to horizontalize conflicts by inciting divisions along ethnic or religious lines. Rooted in the principle of respect for the aspirations and rights of all oppressed peoples, the assembly emphasizes the importance of solidarity between the Oromo people and other nations suffering under the regime’s repression.
- In addition to the civil wars raging domestically, Ethiopia is entangled in varying degrees of conflicts with neighbouring countries including Sudan, Somalia, and Eritrea. In response, the regime has resorted to the forced conscription of youth to fuel its military efforts. The assembly called on the Oromo people and all peoples of the country to resist these conscription efforts and to protect their youth from being dragged into these conflicts of the regime`s own making.
- The committee resolved to persist in the struggle for the Oromo people’s dignity, freedom, and self-determination, affirming that their resolve remains steadfast and will neither waver nor be compromised.
Victory to the Oromo and Oppressed People!
OLF-OLA Central Committee
December 7, 2024