The first phase of talks between Ethiopia's government and the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) began in Tanzania on Tuesday, a spokesman for the rebel group told AFP. Ethiopia's government in Addis Ababa could not be reached for comment. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed had announced last week that talks with the OLA would begin on Tuesday, but gave no further details. Oromia surrounds Addis Ababa and is Ethiopia's largest and most populous region, and has suffered ethnic massacres in recent years carried out by unknown groups. The government is accused of waging an indiscriminate crackdown that has fueled Oromo resentment against the central government.

Source: Ethiopian News April 25, 2023 17:12 UTC