Eritrea is a nation state that is situated north of Ethiopia. It gained independence from Ethiopia in 1993. Ogaden is still part of Ethiopia and it is located in the south-east of the country; however, there is a political entity known as Ogaden National Liberation Front(ONLF), that claims it is fighting for the liberation of Ogaden from Ethiopia. On the basis of my enemy�s enemy is my friend, the leaders of Eritrea and ONLF are working together, in the shadows and in extreme secrecy, to take advantage of the current Horn of Africa political climate. Here is a birds-eye-view of what is going on in that part of the world.

I will begin with Eritrea. It has a population of 3.6 million people. It got full independence from Ethiopia on May, 24, 1993. Its constitution was ratified in 1997; but is not yet implemented. The branches of government are:
(1) Executive( the president, the cabinet, the legislative)
(2) Transitional National Assembly(parliament)-which has not met up to Now.
(3) The supreme court.

Eritrea has one political party namely, People�s Front for Democracy and Justice(PFDJ).

Gross Domestic Product(GDP) is $700 million dollars; of which $250 million is earmarked for defense.

The president has strict control of political, social, economic and military affairs. He nominates individuals to hold various ministries, authorities, commissions and offices.

General elections have not been held, beginning from independence day, and the use of the constitution is not known

For these reasons, in 2001, members of the sole political party(PFDJ), declared grievances against the government, to implement the constitution and have general elections. Instead of showing some sort of reform, or some other excuse for the delay, the government responded by putting 11 members of the party behind bars. When the Supreme Court tried to intervene, by declaring the arrest of the party members was unconstitutional two supreme court judges were also detained.

Next, the independent press reporters and editors were detained- incommunicado and without charges.

Even though, Eritrea is an infant stage as free county- it has only 16 years of independence- it got involved in four major wars with its neighbors in the very short time it existed as a free nation. It went to war against Yemen- across the Red Sea, in the north; against the Sudan in the west; against Djibouti in the east and against Ethiopia in the south.

In December 2009,the United Nations Security Council has imposed arms and trade sanctions on Eritrea, for supporting insurgents trying to topple the governments of Somalia.

In the same month Eritrea refused to have bilateral contacts, mediations or facilitation efforts by regional and international organizations with Djibouti.

This is the only country that ONLF has relations with. ONLF has no contacts with Kilil-6( the so-called Somaliland) or with Kilil-7( Puntland), two shameless entities, who does not have confidence in their Somaliness; and who are remote-controlled by EPRDF. What a shame!!! Of course no one in his right mind can have meaningful relation with the chaotic Hawiye clans in southern Somalia.

ONLF(Ogaden National Liberation Front)
ONLF came into existence in 1984 after the failures of Nasrullahi(1960s) and WSLF(Western Somali Liberation Front_ 1970s and 1980s.) The 1977-78 war of Ogaden became international, at the height of the so-called Cold War between the West and the East. The Western block countries, on one side and the Soviet block nations on the other side got involved in the Ogaden War; and therefore WSLF was defeated.

There is no doubt that human rights violations and atrocities were and are being committed, against the Ethiopian Somalis, by Amara and Tigrean overlords, for the past 150 years. But the question here is can ONLF correct its long term strategies and political programs? Can it allow elections to take place and adhere to its own constitution and procedures?. To do so ONLF should allow the traditional elders, Islamic Ulemas and the educated individuals to guide it to the right path.

For instance, the most important issue here is, to continue the war of liberation or to have peace with Ethiopia. All the Ethiopian Somali people rightfully believe that the issue of war and peace must be decided by the people. All segments of the Ethiopian Somali community (clans, sub-clans and sub-sub-clans) must participate in a grand conference, in which, they decide their destiny( to continue the war or to have peace with Ethiopia). This issue of war and peace is up to the people to decide. It is not up to a few miss-guided, miss-informed, self-opinionated and arrogant individuals.

Even in its current clannish shape, operating in the shadows and in secrecy, ONLF must satisfy the people, it claims to represent. There should be elections; to have proper leaders; and in accordance with the rules, regulations, procedures and the constitution of ONLF.

Another case I wish to mention here is to tell ONLF leaders that they are a public relations disaster. ONLF has never written or disseminated in any way-print or broadcast- its political programs, or strategies, in any media outlet. For instance, when they come to North America, they have contact with old ladies, innocent children and old men. They claim victories; and they promise that the country will be free within a year. They tell the people a lot of lies. ONLF leaders should stop the lies and deal with the realities on the field.

The old Newtonian law in physics is, action and re-action are equal in magnitude but opposite in direction. ONLF had categorically rejected to participate in the general elections of 1995. A few years after, it started the physical war against the EPRDF government. EPRDF retaliated by killing, intimidating and humiliating Somalis. It is wrong that Tigrean overlords trample upon innocent citizens. However, it is ONLF who started the war and it is partly to be blamed. People now believe that ONLF is part of the problem and it is not part of the solution. Was it possible that this unnecessary war could have been avoided 15 years ago? I think so. Therefore, ONLF is to be blamed for the current war!!!

Furthermore, I would mention here that Ogadenis supported Nasrullahi and WSLF in the 1960s-70 and 1980s. Unfortunately, the reality of the matter, considering from hindsight; is some of the top leaders of these two organizations were mentally hand-capped. They really belonged to mental institutions. They should not have been in a position of leading people. Now in the 21st century are the Ogadenis ready to be led by mentally retarded so-called leaders.

Last but not least ONLF must cease the mindless and counter-productive measures it is engaged in; like intimidating, harassing and murdering, Ogadeni nationals who asks them a question or a point of clarification; regarding it policies. For instance, Suldan Yusuf Suldan Muxumed Suldan(from Abrhahim, Mekahil) was mercilessly murdered by ONlF operatives. When his family complained to ONLF leadership, they told the family that he deserved to die. That was in Wardheer district. Ibado Maxamed Axmed was also killed in Sagag by ONLF. Maxamed Mursal Shiil was beaten to pulp in Denmark. What in the name of God ONLF means by these barbarous acts.

There is another bone of contention here. The name ONLF itself has got many meanings. Many foreign countries know Ogaden as a geographical location or a country. But the reality is Ogaden is a sub-clan of the larger Darod clan. There are so many other clans, sub-clans and sub-sub-clans in the Ethiopian Somali regional state. Does ONLF need the support of their brothers to win the war? If so; let them have good relations with them!!!

In order for Eritrea to survive as a nation, it must have cordial relations with its neighbors- Sudan, Yemen, Djibouti and Ethiopia.

ONLF must seek consensus with its people. It should be more forthcoming; it should clarify its political programs, short and long term strategies. Otherwise it is doomed to failure like Nasrullahi and WSLF did before it.

By Mohamed Ugaas
Email: ugasxashi@yahoo.com