The two sides also concluded a deal in August aimed at opening the way for the OLF to return to the political arena. The government has called for OLF fighters to immediately lay down their arms, and says some of them have been carrying out crimes. The Oromos are the largest of Ethiopia's some 80 ethnic groups, with 35 percent of the nation's nearly 80 million inhabitants. "The stationing of Ethiopian soldiers in our areas of operations has resulted in conflict between soldiers and with our fighters," he added. They include the release of thousands of imprisoned dissidents and journalists, forging a peace deal with rival Eritrea, and unveiling plans to privatise state corporations.

Source: Ethiopian News December 21, 2018 18:00 UTC