Oromo Liberation Front claims forced conscription and mass detentions

 (IRIN News briefs, 9 June 20)

The Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) claimed on Friday that the Ethiopian government was detaining, conscripting and executing people in Ethiopia, and punishing nationalities considered opposed to the current war with Eritrea.

In a list of complaints about alleged abuses by a "desperate and suspicious" government, the OLF claimed the official Oromia Regional Administration had "issued a statement declaring that it will deal severely with those who oppose the war against Eritrea". It also said there had been mass arrests and illegal detentions of Oromo people living around Kombolcha and Haramaya, eastern Ethiopia, because of "their opposition to the war against Eritrea". Oromo students in Wonji High School demonstrated in the streets last week "against the massive and forceful conscription of teenagers into the army", said the statement. 

In a similar statement, issued 8 June, the OLF claimed many wounded and disabled soldiers were being hidden from public view in remote camps, including Eda'ar in the Afar region, as well as in Addis Ababa and Debre Zeit. It alleged that on 5 June 120 "freshly wounded" soldiers were transported to Jijiga in the Somali region, and most were young, forcibly conscripted. Resistance to conscription drives in Oromia had led to a clash in Annanno Mite, Haraghe, where one boy was killed and six others imprisoned, alleged the statement. It also claimed traditional leaders and elders had been imprisoned for "opposing the conscription of their children to be used as cannon fodder". 

The OLF was part of a coalition government until it withdrew in 1992 complaining that Ethiopia's first democratic elections were being manipulated by the ruling Tigrayan Peoples Liberation Front. It declared armed opposition to the government. In the statement released today the OLF said it had blown up a military truck by land mine, between Dhangaggo and Qarsa - about 17 km from Dire Dawa - eastern Ethiopia, on 24 May. It also claimed a bomb had been thrown into the Qalad Amba military barracks in Harar city. About 150-200 people had been detained in Malka Jabdu village after a train "ferrying war materials" was blown up 27 May, alleged the OLF. The OLF claimed responsibility at the time.

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