Low graphics   |   Mobile      Login   |   About us      
Fri, 15:36 20 Nov 2009 GMT17

 
Ethiopia Ogaden crisis

Last reviewed: 19-10-2009

Violence simmers in Ethiopia Somali region


The Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) has been fighting a long-running insurgency against the Ethiopian government, seeking more autonomy for the underdeveloped, ethnically Somali Ogaden region.

  • Troops accused of burning homes, displacing thousands
  • Rebels accused of rights abuses
  • Government restricts media and aid agency access to the region

    Ethiopian forces launched a major assault against the ONLF rebels - who have been fighting since 1994 - after they killed 74 people in an attack on a Chinese-run oil exploration field in April 2007. The government says the ONLF has been defeated, but its fighters continue to launch sporadic attacks.

    U.S.-based advocacy group Human Rights Watch has accused the government of human rights abuses in its response to the insurgency, claiming it has burnt homes, confiscated livestock and arbitrarily detained civilians. Officials deny rights abuses in the Ogaden region, saying the rebels are the ones perpetrating crimes against civilians.

    The government expelled aid workers from the region in the latter part of 2007, amid growing concerns about the scale of the humanitarian crisis facing its people. Although some have since been allowed to return, the army continues to impose severe restrictions on both media and aid agencies.


    Unlike some other content on this website, the written content in this article may be republished or redistributed by any means free of charge. Any use of photographs and graphics on this website is expressly prohibited. You must check whether written content contained in other articles on this website may be republished or redistributed without the express permission of Reuters or the relevant third party provider.

    • Related articles

    Breaking stories
     Africa Ethiopia denies rebels have captured seven towns

    Africa SOMALIA: Aden Muhumed Hassan, "I am better at collecting charcoal than my friends who have hands"

    AlertNet insight
     Africa INTERVIEW-Red Cross warns of Horn of Africa famine risk

    Aid agency news feed
     Africa Doctors without patients: MSF fears for migrants forced back to Libya

    Blogs
     Africa Keep quiet about atrocities, Ethiopia warns aid workers

    Maps
     Africa MAP: Ethiopia Food Security Update, August 2008


    AlertNet for journalists

    AlertNet for journalists is a set of tools and services designed to make life easier for reporters, fact-checkers and editors when covering humanitarian emergencies.
    Thumb for /thefacts/imagerepository/RTRPICT/2009-11-12T020931Z_01_AFR98_RTRIDSP_2_FOOD-AFRICA_mainimage.jpg|/thenews/pictures/AFR98.htm
    Thumb for /thefacts/imagerepository/RTRPICT/2009-11-12T015040Z_01_AFR93_RTRIDSP_2_FOOD-AFRICA_mainimage.jpg|/thenews/pictures/AFR93.htm
    Thumb for /thefacts/imagerepository/RTRPICT/2009-10-01T171354Z_01_WAS06_RTRIDSP_2_HUMAN-EARLY_mainimage.jpg|/thenews/pictures/WAS06.htm
    Thumb for /thefacts/imagerepository/RTRPICT/2009-10-01T165917Z_01_WAS03_RTRIDSP_2_HUMAN-EARLY_mainimage.jpg|/thenews/pictures/WAS03.htm
    Thumb for /thefacts/imagerepository/RTRPICT/2009-10-01T162806Z_01_WAS02_RTRIDSP_2_HUMAN-EARLY_mainimage.jpg|/thenews/pictures/WAS02.htm

    A woman weeds her corn plantation in Akia village outside Lira town in the northern region of Uganda, November 11, 2009. For centuries, farmers like Berhanu Gudina have eked out a ...


    More pictures | Galleries

    * Denotes mandatory entry      Rate this item *  
    • Currently 4/5 Stars.
    • 1
    • 2
    • 3
    • 4
    • 5


    Name: *     Email: * 
    I am: *     


    Comments:

    Enter the code shown on the left *




    URL: http://www.alertnet.org/db/crisisprofiles/ET_OGA.htm

    For our full disclaimer and copyright information please visit http://www.alertnet.org