The Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) has announced its withdrawal from participation in the Ethiopian National Dialogue process. In a statement, the OLF cited lack of transparency and participation as the main reasons for their decision.

The ruling party in the Somali region has been accused of establishing an illegal system that segregates participants and suppresses opposition party votes. The ONLF believes that this exclusionary system goes against the purpose of the Ethiopian National Dialogue process and raises questions about the dialogue process.

The ONLF has also raised concerns about the dialogue process can’t be successful without the involvement of key political actors from Amhara, Oromia and Tigray regions, stating that the ongoing conflict in these regions make the current dialogue incapable of delivering genuine peace. They have made it clear that they will not participate in the process until a comprehensive negotiation platform is established.

It is important to note that the ONLF entered into an agreement with the federal government in 2018 to engage in peaceful political activities. It is also recalled that other political parties, including the Oromo Federalist Congress (OFC) and the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF), have declared their non-participation in the dialogue process. Additionally, parties like the Ethiopian people’s revolutionary party (EPRP) have announced their decision to abstain from the process.