The thug and intimidation tactics of the ONLF.
Op-Ed by Prof. Ahmed S Liibaan
We have watched with dismay the absurd behavior of ONLF supporters and horrified by the violence carried out against an innocent man, Mohamed Sahal in Stockholm , Sweden . What is more shocking and makes this act of violence unacceptable, is that, the people who carried out this act of violence, live in the most tolerant societies where free speech and free association is enshrined in these societies constitutions. The obvious contradiction was that the ONLF and its supporters were supposedly protesting the human rights violations and extrajudicial killings done by the DDS police and Ethiopian defense forces against the Somali region's civilian population. The ONLF and its supporters were committing acts of terror and violence against any body attending the DDS-Diaspora community meetings irrespective of whether they support the government or not and any body perceived to be supporting the regional government or welcoming the DDS senior officials.Let me make it clear here; people have the right to protest freely, its protected under the freedom of speech in the societies these supporters of ONLF live. But, it was absurd to observe that they failed to recognize the same freedom of speech and freedom of association is afforded to the participants they were out to harm and terrorize.
As always, it is ONLF and its followers who have engaged in violence against those whom they consider to be the enemy "race traitors" and “Tabaqodhis” (supporters of the Somali regional state and the federal system of Ethiopia ). The ONLF and its supporters have this culture of impassioned condemnations of people opposed to their political thinking as a grave enemy, a clan traitor, someone who threatens all that is good in the world. Mohamed Sahal’s attack is a result of these sorts of demonetization campaigns. The ONLF and its members even go as far to find the home address and telephone numbers of people in the Ogaden clan opposed to their views and other prominent individuals Somalis. It has happened in the past that those who were the target of these sorts of demonetization campaigns that included publication of their home address were attacked and even killed. There is no sugar coating, these actions are pure terrorism. And the people who encourage,condone,and carry these violent actions are terrorist.Pure and simple. How are they different from other terrorist organizations who will not hesitate to kill for their ideology and will kill anyone perceived to oppose them. They will not prove your innocence, if they perceive, even if you are innocent, they will just kill you. Human life doesn't mean anything to them unless you are in their camp or espouse their ideology.
The ONLF is desperately trying to hijack the debate but the Ethiopian Embassies have done an excellent job of not allowing this small group to hijack the debate.There are serious issues and concerns that the Diaspora Community wants to share and engage with the DDS officials.This is an opportunity to have a positive engagement from both sides.But, of course the ONLF is not interested in a civil discussion of the regions Socio-economics.The ONLF has made it clear,they don't want to see any non-violent discussion of the region's socio-politics.But, there is another serious questions that needs to be asked; if the ONLF is ready to use violence in the midst of a free society, and is ready to carry this violence against innocent people like Sahal, what can we expect from the ONLF in the Somali region? Does the ONLF has any shred of credibility when it accuses regional and federal governments of committing violence against civilians when it encourages and commits the same crimes it alleges non-discriminatoley against civilians and people opposed to its ideology?
What happened in Stockholm proves that ONLF is no different from other terrorist groups.They are ready to kill and use violence against anybody,including innocent civilians.The actions of Stockholm also discredits the claims of the ONLF that Ethiopian defense forces and Somali region police forces are the ones killing innocent civilians. In Fact, It supports both government's argument that they are fighting a ruthless terrorist group, that is killing the civilian population,that is using the civilian population as a shield but is blaming on the governments for its killings.And the ONLF has acknowledged just that when its chief, Admiral Mohamed Omar admitted last week in an interview with VOA Somali Service,that its militia disperse within the population as a tactic. In other words, the ONLF uses the civilian population as a shield. My point here is, the shear force of intimidation and violence deployed by ONLF and its supporters in free societies is an example of the level of violence and killings carried by ONLF in the Somali region and should give all of us a window to take a peak into the ONLF itself.
These intimidation practices are also carried out in the Somali regional administration by the ONLF militia in the form of violence. The real objective is the same one shared by all terrorists -- to place the person in paralyzing fear. The goal is to force the individual, to be preoccupied with worry that they will be harmed or killed. The goal of the ONLF intimidation is to stop and discourage people openly opposing the ONLF. The ONLF in my view has continued to do this because it has worked for it so far. People opposed to the ONLF have continued to keep their opposition of this organization to themselves for fear of retaliation.
The Mohamed Sahal attack by ONLF and its followers, are merely a natural outgrowth of the hate-mongering which have become the staple of ONLF websites and ONLF activist NGOs. One of the most constant features of these hate fests is the singling out of some Ogaden Clan individuals who are opposed to the ONLF, accused of committing some grave crime or identified as a subversive and an enemy, and then held out as the daily target of unbridled contempt, a symbol of all that is Evil. The rhetoric of treason -- accusing individuals and organizations of supporting the Somali regional administration and the federal government of Ethiopia-- is a lit match. After all, the widely accepted penalty for traitors is execution.
The action of ONLF in Stockholm has undoubtedly made many of us sensitive to the challenge faced by the regional Somali government and the federal government combating the threat of insecurity posed by ONLF while preserving the sanctity of the law. The threat posed by armed groups who threaten the existence of the state and the safety of its citizens more often overrides the individual rights of the citizens. The protection of individual rights is not a simple task and no country has been able to do this in a fashion that has not occasioned criticism. Everyone has certainly read about the gross violations of human rights in the Somali region. But who bears the responsibility?. The violence committed against an innocent man in the halls of a free and tolerant society should give all of us a clue as to who is responsible.
I believe in having a civil dialogue, and firmly support talking to the ONLF so that the Somali region can move forward in union. But after the brutal attack of an innocent man whose crime was merely to participate the Diaspora meeting, attended by DDS officials and hear their presentation about the Somali region, I'm not sure any more whether its a good idea to talk to the ONLF. You don’t talk to a terrorist group, you fight back, and you fight back hard. In my view, the ONLF and its supporters who are fomenting and openly advocating violence merit nothing but disrespect; mockery; and, where appropriate, prosecution for inciting to kill innocent people. The Stockholm incidence explains the thinking of the ONLF and its supporters; it’s OK when their side does , wrong when the other side does.
Solving the regions many problems require the engagement of the Diaspora community and a civil discussion of the problems as well as the solution to these problems. The regional administrations attempt to engage the Diaspora community and seek their support by investing their know-how and their capital in the region, can't be hijacked by small vocal and outspoken groups. The Diaspora community has serious concerns about both the ineffectiveness of regional government and the inability of its leaders to govern. To find solution to the region's many problems, we have a responsibility to be willing to listen to one another (both regional leaders and the Diaspora concerned citizens) as well as to voice our concern and suggestions for solutions, both sides. This is not about reaching agreement of all parties, instead it is constructive engagement and building a better, prosperous future for the next generation. The regional government's efforts to engage the Diaspora community and ask the Diaspora community to play, both a constructive and productive role in the Somali region, needs to be applauded and welcomed by all of us who love the region.
The use of abusive language and violent metaphors by ONLF officials and its followers alike is unacceptable.The Diaspora Communities must confront the ONLF and must make it clear the ONLF will not force down our throat whatever their goals are. Likewise, we must make it clear that we condemn all form of language that are inflammatory, derogatory, degrading, insulting, demeaning, or advocating violence in any form or shape.
Professor Ahmed Liibaan is a kilil5.com contributor and can be reached at Ahmedsheikh64@yahoo.com.
VOA 13pm GMT
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