ONLF denies Ethiopia’s accusation of bombings in capital
By Simegnish Yekoye
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia – The Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) has denied accusations labeled against it by the Ethiopian government of its involvement in a spate of  bombing in Addis Ababa, that killed eight people in April.
Early this week, the Ethiopian government has said it has arrested eight Eritrean trained rebels suspected of carrying out bombings in the capital city Addis Ababa. The statement by the government also said the attacks were sponsored by arch-foe Eritrea and was implemented by ONLF operating in Ethiopia.
However, in a statement sent to media in response to the Ethiopian government accusation, ONLF said that the accusations were false and were intended to divert the attention from war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Ogaden.
“The accusation comes a few days after the Swiss branch of Medicin Sans Frontieres announced it was ceasing operations in the Fiq area of the Ogaden due to the Ethiopian regimes harassment of their personnel and blatant obstruction of their operations,” the statement reads.
Stressing that ONLF as a matter of policy and principle doesn’t practice or condone the deliberate targeting of civilians under any circumstances, the statement says such acts would be both unethical and counterproductive to their political aims and objectives.
“It would only serve the interests of the regime of Meles Zenawi”, reads the statement.
The statement continues saying that the ONLF will continue to defend the people of Ogaden from the Ethiopian government and their increased military capacity will be used in line with the rules of war.
The Ethiopian government, which sees ONLF as a terrorist has continuously been saying ONLF, is no more a threat to the Ogaden region and is working to eliminate the last vestiges of the rebel group once and for all.
Though the statement by the Ethiopian National Intelligence and Security Service did not say when or where the detainees were arrested, it said three “most wanted” suspects remain at large and urged the public to come forward with information leading to their detention.  •