All signs of Oromo political and organizational crystallization represent a direct challenge to Abiy Ahmed’s rule, who has relied on divide-and-rule logic, within and beyond Oromia, to maintain his fragile hold on 4-kilo. Recognizing the existential threat posed by the crystallization of a progressive Oromo bloc, Abiy Ahmed has always employed diversionary campaigns to attempt to fracture any emergent Oromo unity by manufacturing one crisis after another.
From 2019/20, as OLA underwent a phase of rapid restructuring and reorganization to build a viable force, Abiy responded with a quintessential false flag operation by deploying state-sponsored counterfeit “Shene” to carry out targeted violence against Amhara civilians. This was also later weaponized to kick-start the Tigray War.
Recent efforts to derail a broader political solidarity took the form of instrumentalized sectarian violence-exemplified by incidents such as the latest Zikuala massacre of monks and attempts to incite religious tensions in Arsi and Jimma. Abiy openly exploits existing societal fault lines to disrupt the formation of a broader axis of resistance-a pluralistic yet cohesive movement transcending ethnic and religious particularisms.
Moyale is the latest iteration of this reactionary inter-communal destabilization in the Oromo-Somali borderlands. To our Somali brothers: fight back against all machinations done in your name. Abiy thrives on our mutual alienation.
To the few Oromo actors who-whether knowingly or unwittingly- are aligning with the regime’s destructive agenda: pause and reflect. There is no independent Somali force impeding on our borders. It is all done from 4-kilo and communicated through the state broadcaster. Open your eyes. No Oromo demand will be met with Abiy in power.
OLF-OLA High Command
July 27, 2025
