Within a space of less than a week, the Oromia government and returnee rebels under the banner of the Oromo Liberation Front, OLF, are at each others’ throat over rising insecurity in the Ethiopian regional state. Late last week, OLF leader Dawud Ibsa said his group was suspicious about the Oromia government citing the appointment of one General Kamal Gelchu as head of regional security. He also confirmed that OLF forces had exchanged fire with federal troops deployed to areas where OLF was ‘active’ – specifically in western Oromia. On Monday, December 24, Oromia regional police commissioner Alemayehu Ejigu squarely blamed OLF armed men for deadly operations within the last four months. The state-affiliated FBC quoted him as saying: the police was no longer going to tolerate OLF armed men operating in western Oromia.

Source: Ethiopian News December 25, 2018 11:15 UTC