Oromo Liberation Front Press Release
April 18, 2001

Student demonstrations in Ethiopia spearheaded by the heroic students of Addis Ababa University and other colleges and universities is expanding into high schools and developing into a riot threatening the very existence of the dictatorial regime in Addis Ababa. The ongoing demonstration is instigated by the absence and continued denial of the right of every citizen and subject in the empire to gather and organize freely, to speak freely and above all to have a say in determining their fate. The regime’s brutal response to peaceful protests has forced more and more sectors of the society to join what is quickly transforming into a major uprising. To brutally suppress this burning aspiration for justice and self-determination the regime’s special police and security forces are using excessive force resulting in the arrest and death of many students and civilians.

The Oromo Liberation Front strongly deplores the brutal behavior of the TPLF/EPRDF regime and condemns the measures taken against students at Addis Ababa and other universities, who are demonstrating to demand their legitimate rights. The OLF strongly condemns the death of the Oromo student named Simee Tarraffa Gobato in Mekele and others in Addis Ababa and send condolence to the families of the dead. The circumstances surrounding the death of student Simee Tarrafaa infer a foul play. We urge the Red Cross and other international humanitarian organizations to investigate the circumstance of his death and bring the perpetuators to justice.

The TPLF/EPRDF regime ever since it came to power was known for its brutal suppression of people’s voice. We remember with sorrow the 1991 gunning down of peaceful Oromo demonstrators in Wattar- Hararghe. Last year’s barbaric attacks on Ambo and Dambi Dollo Oromo high school students whose only demand was to help extinguish the forest fire that engulfed most of the Oromia forest are also still fresh in our memory and the trauma inflicted on students, their parents, and our people are still fresh.

As proved time and again throughout history use of disproportionate force did not and will not suppress the desire of all peoples in the empire to regain their lost freedoms and liberty. The TPLF could not last long failing to realize the futility of its practices and face the verdict of the people. It should recognize that its guns and bullets are no match to the aroused will of the Oromo and other peoples in Ethiopia for freedom, justice and genuine self-determination.

We urge the international community to condemn the brutal acts of the TPLF/EPRDF regime in Ethiopia. The OLF advises the US government and the European union in particular to realize the seriousness of recent developments in the empire and facilitate the convening of a broad-based conference comprising all progressive and genuine opposition forces in the empire to rationally address Ethiopia’s age-old problems, chart a future consistent with the aspiration and free will of all the peoples and prevent the situation from sliding into further chaos and mayhem. We call on our people and all peoples in the empire to redouble their efforts and determination to bring a just and fair solution to the empire’s intractable political, social and economic problems. The OLF extends its solidarity with all the students at the various universities, colleges and high schools who are risking their precious lives to rekindle the hope and aspiration of all peoples for an era free from tyranny and brutal dictatorship.

Victory to the Oromo people!!