6 days ago
Oromo Federalist Congress Calls for Inclusive Dialogue, End to Conflict in Ethiopia
The Oromo Federalist Congress (OFC) has issued a forceful appeal for a new political direction in Ethiopia, urging an immediate end to the country's escalating conflicts and the launch of a comprehensive democratic transition roadmap.
In a detailed statement titled 'A Country at a Crossroads: A Call for Unity, Peace, and a New Democratic Journey,' the OFC Central Committee offered a scathing review of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's seven-year leadership. While the party acknowledged that his rise to power in 2018 once symbolized a hopeful democratic opening, it now characterizes his tenure as a 'chronicle of squandered hope' marked by repression and unfulfilled promises.
The OFC described Ethiopia as mired in overlapping political, security, economic, and humanitarian crises, attributing the root cause to a deep political breakdown. 'The promise of 2018 has been betrayed by an authoritarian project,' the statement reads, accusing the government of closing political space and pushing opposition groups toward armed resistance.
Highlighting what it calls 'destructive wars' across the country, the OFC pointed to continued violence in Oromia, intensifying clashes in the Amhara region, and a deteriorating peace in Tigray. The party also condemned the government's controversial Memorandum of Understanding with Somaliland, arguing that it violated regional sovereignty and damaged Ethiopia's diplomatic credibility.
Economically, the OFC blamed state policies for widespread hardship and growing inequality. It denounced what it termed the 'false promise of liberalization,' accusing the administration of ceding national economic control to foreign interests. The statement noted soaring living costs and the government's failure to improve the livelihoods of public servants, particularly teachers and health workers.
The OFC also raised alarm over what it views as a deliberate weakening of Ethiopia's multinational federal system. The party criticized the creation of federal 'command posts' in regional states and legislative measures it claims erode constitutional autonomy.
Looking ahead to the 2026 national elections, the OFC outlined a set of urgent demands to reset the country's democratic trajectory. Chief among them is an immediate and verifiable cessation of hostilities in Oromia and Amhara under international supervision. The party also called for:
• An inclusive peace process involving all political and armed actors
• The unconditional release of political prisoners, including journalists and OFC members
• Reopening of closed party offices and reinstating civil liberties
• Legal safeguards for freedom of assembly, media, and peaceful political activity
• A reconstituted National Electoral Board (NEBE) selected through a transparent, multiparty process
The OFC emphasized that Ethiopia's current path is unsustainable and urged all Oromo civic and political forces to unify in a broader democratic coalition. It called on the government to abandon its reliance on military solutions and embrace political negotiation and maturity.
In its closing message, the party appealed to the international community—including the African Union, United Nations, European Union, and United States—to move beyond statements of concern. It called for tangible diplomatic pressure to halt ongoing conflicts, uphold human rights, and support a genuinely inclusive transition toward democracy.
As Ethiopia approaches a critical political juncture, the OFC's call underscores the urgency for dialogue, reform, and a peaceful resolution to the country's mounting crises.
