ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia - Ethiopian rebels on Monday warned a Canadian oil company against oil exploration in the eastern region of Ogaden and said the area is unsafe because of fighting.

Africa Oil Corp. (TSXV:AOI) should halt all operations until the rebels make peace with the government, the Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) said. The group is blamed for the 2007 attack on a Chinese-run oil field in the region in which scores were killed.

The rebels said in a statement that the company, which has its head office in Vancouver, is "conspiring with the government to exploit the region's oil."

"ONLF calls upon African Oil to desist from paying blood money to Ethiopia until a just settlement of the conflict is achieved and the people of the Ogaden are in a position to be masters of their wealth and interest," the statement said.

The Ethiopian government spokesman downplayed the statement saying the region is peaceful and that the rebels don't pose any real threat.

"The region is now fully stable and peaceful. The government and people are mobilizing together to develop the region," said Communications Minister Shimeles Kemal.

Various ONLF factions have in the near past requested and subsequently negotiated with the government after which they have put down their arms and re-joined the people to lead a peaceful life, Shimeles said.

"They have completely lost that capacity as most of their fighters have put down their arms. Now the remaining faction's leaders are engaged in a routine propaganda to disturb the ongoing development activities," he said.

Africa Oil Corp. said on its website that it has three projects in Ethiopia including in the Ogaden Basin where ONLF has been fighting the Addis Ababa government.

Somali resources cannot be touched or else there well be severe casualties like in 2007
The oil belongs to the Somali people, as long as the region is under occupation there cant be any exploration the TPLF junta knows it. They don't want bad publicity so they have to back off.

Screw ONLF. Soon the main Somalia will join Ethiopia to develop the horn.

^ if wishes were horses beggars would ride looool

ONLF will succeed to take what belongs to them

Screw ONLF. Soon the main Somalia will join Ethiopia to develop the horn.

Bwendimu, welcome back from your trip to Shewa, the land of Oromo people. Very soon, the Woyanne regime will face international, regional and national sanctions for what they are doing "their dirty works in Ethiopia” and the ONLF will form multi-ethnic and democracy government in Ethiopia. So, please join them now, not tomorrow.

The Struggle continues








The youth




The leader


The land

Screw ONLF. Soon the main Somalia will join Ethiopia to develop the horn.

Bwendimu, welcome back from your trip to Shewa, the land of Oromo people. Very soon, the Woyanne regime will face international, regional and national sanctions for what they are doing "their dirty works in Ethiopia” and the ONLF will form multi-ethnic and democracy government in Ethiopia. So, please join them now, not tomorrow.

ONLF objective is to win independence not to rule Ethiopia, ofcourse let the Oromo or Amara do the ruling after woyanne is defeated or even TPDM

Zak, you are very good man, with knowledge about Ethiopia as well as Ogaden issues. However, never trust Tigray politicians who kiss children and women, whose eyebrows meet in the middle.

Hi brother
Are there any exit ways from hostilities and killings, depriving each other in Ethiopia? yes I have one, let us create free Ogaden state, Oromo state, Amhara state, Afar state , Sidamo state, Southern peoples' state (including current PM of Ethiopia Hailemariam) and Gambele state, and left there only Woyanne people who eats human meats? so they can eat each other them selves. my brothers, believe in me, after the creation of these free and sovereign states we can live in a peaceful ways with dignity and we will enjoy freedom, democracy and independence of nations.

Yakume ONLF needs to step up their game

Their troops by the year 2016 should be more than 17.000 if not more
ONLF should carry out more attacks against the Liyu police of Abdi ileey
ONLF should find a partner in one of the Ethiopian opposition groups
ONLF should get a training base in neighboring Somalia and Yemen
ONLF should maintain good relations with Shabia
The diaspora should continue to spread the message.