In its strongest concluding message, ONLF told the Federal Government of Ethiopia, regional governments, political parties, civil society organizations, diplomatic missions and the international community that it remains committed to pursuing its political objectives through peaceful means.
ADDIS REPORTER —JIGJIGA, Somali Regional State — The Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) has categorically rejected reports claiming that the party has joined an opposition alliance allegedly bringing together armed groups opposed to the Ethiopian government.
In a press release issued Monday, ONLF said reports circulating on social media claiming that it had joined the Ethiopian People’s Forces Alliance for Survival were false and did not represent the official position of the organization.
The organization specifically rejected claims that it is cooperating with an alliance allegedly led by the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF). ONLF said its political programme and strategy do not permit cooperation with armed groups pursuing their objectives through conflict and armed confrontation.
ONLF distances itself from former chairman’s group
A major part of the statement focused on a group led by former ONLF Chairman Abdirahman Sheikh Mahdi. The current ONLF leadership accused the group of unlawfully using the party’s name despite, according to the statement, having no legitimate position or authority within the organization.
ONLF said statements circulated by that group on social media therefore do not represent the official position of the party.
The statement makes clear that the organization wants to draw a sharp distinction between its recognized leadership and individuals it says are acting independently in the party’s name.
2018 peace agreement remains central to ONLF position
ONLF also pointed to its 2018 peace agreement with the Ethiopian government, saying the agreement enabled the organization to pursue its political objectives through peaceful means.
The organization said that commitment remains unchanged and emphasized that it continues to pursue its political struggle as a legally recognized political party.
The statement therefore presents the alleged armed coalition as incompatible with ONLF’s declared political strategy.
Strong criticism of alleged association with TPLF
ONLF went further by criticizing individuals who, it said, claim to represent the Somali people while associating themselves with the TPLF.
The organization referred to what it described as “well-documented atrocities and abuses” committed by the TPLF against Somali people in the Somali Region and said such an association could undermine efforts to hold those responsible for abuses against Somali civilians accountable.
ONLF says Somali Region should not be pushed toward conflict
The party also argued that the Somali Region currently enjoys what it described as a broad degree of peace and security, development and political freedoms.
Against that backdrop, ONLF said there is “no justification for initiating conflict and instability” in the region. It warned against attempts by groups it characterized as politically unsuccessful to create instability under different names or disguises.
“Reports are false,” ONLF says
In its strongest concluding message, ONLF told the Federal Government of Ethiopia, regional governments, political parties, civil society organizations, diplomatic missions and the international community that it remains committed to pursuing its political objectives through peaceful means.
The organization explicitly stated that reports claiming it had entered an alliance with armed groups opposed to the Ethiopian government “are false and have no basis in the official position of ONLF.”
The statement was signed by Abdikarim Sheikh Muse, Chairman of ONLF, in Jigjiga, Somali Regional State, on September 21, 2026.
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