OLA Fighters Enter Centers After Controversial “Peace Deal” Amid Allegations

Borkena

Toronto – The Oromia regional state announced on Wednesday that Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) fighters have started entering designated centers, reportedly for training and rehabilitation.

According to the regional government, fighters operating in West Shoa and South West Shoa have entered these centers. State-owned media reported that residents in the region cheered as the fighters made their way to the centers.

This development follows a reported “peace deal” between Shilemes Abdissa, president of the Oromia regional state, and Jal Segni, one of the leaders of the OLA. However, another faction of the OLA dismissed the agreement as “farcical,” claiming that the individual who signed the deal on behalf of the organization had been dismissed over “working actively weaken the organization.”

Neither the regional government nor the faction that signed the agreement has disclosed its terms.

The Oromia regional state and the Ethiopian Defense Force have long claimed that “Shene,” their term for the OLA, had been defeated, often within the context of ongoing military operations in the Oromia region.

In May 2021, the Ethiopian Parliament designated the Oromo Liberation Army (referred to as “Shene” by the government) as a terrorist organization. Notably, the “peace deal” was signed on Tuesday before this designation was lifted.

The OLA has been linked to widespread atrocities, including massacres of ethnic Amhara communities in rural areas, civilian killings, and kidnappings in the Oromia region. These allegations have been widely reported in Ethiopian news outlets over several years. However, some critics argue that the government itself is connected to the group it calls “Shene” and has used it as a political tool.

The faction of the OLA that criticized this week’s “peace deal” alleged that the OLA linked to these massacres and killings is a creation of the ruling party under Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s leadership.

Leaders of the faction involved in the negotiations appeared in suits with their dreadlocks hairstyle and met with Adanech Abiebie, the Mayor of Addis Ababa. They also toured recent development projects in the city,as reported by the city administration. 

“Leaders of the army under the leadership of Jal Segni Negassa met with Mayor Adanech Abiebie, who welcomed them on the path to peace,” the city administration announced on Wednesday.

The Mayor was quoted as saying, “The path to peace has no alternative and benefits everyone. The Oromo Liberation Army, which responded to the government’s call, is praiseworthy.”

Meanwhile, another faction of the Oromo Liberation Army, led by Jal Mero, continues to engage in insurgent activities in the region.

In May 2023, there was a  peace talk in Tanzania between the group and the Ethiopian government, reportedly facilitated by state actors, including the United States. However, no agreement was reached after two rounds of negotiations.

The group accused the government of lacking genuine interest in resolving the conflict peacefully. According to the group, the government attempted to “co-opt” OLA leaders by offering personal gains and a share of power during the peace process.

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