Press Release Ogaden National Liberation Front November 5, 2009

The Puntland Administration detained five Ogaden Somali civilians in Bassaso, who were travelling from Yemen to Ogaden on 18th October 2009. Both the Puntland militia and Ethiopian Security extensively tortured the detainees and then one of the detainees was abducted and taken to a prison in Harar. On November 2 2009, one of the prisoners in Bossaso died of internal wounds sustained during the extensive torture subjected to him.

This ill will towards Ogaden Somali people has being going on for a while in Puntland. On different occasions, the Puntland Administration had put in harm's way civilians as ONLF members in violation of international law and customary laws among the Somali people. The Ogaden Somali people have a right to wage a legitimate struggle to attain their rights from the Ethiopian regime, which is marginalizing and committing war crimes against them. Such cowardly acts by the likes of the Puntland administration will not deter the will of the Ogaden Somalis to attain their self-determinations and basic Human Rights.

The Ogaden National Liberation Front and the Ogaden Somali people on those occasions had opted for restrain and dialogue in order to convince Puntland to act in a civilized manner and respect the right of the Ogaden people. Unfortunately, the Puntland Administration instead of mending its wayward ways, it further escalated its crimes by not only killing and torturing Ogaden civilians but publicly declaring its ill intentions towards the Ogaden Somalis.

Henceforth the Ogaden National Liberation Front will take all measures necessary to protect the lives and interests of the Ogaden Somali people while the Puntland Administration will be responsible for any dire consequences of its criminal acts.

The Ogaden National Liberation Front