Peace Talks Between the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and the Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF): Declaration of Principles

Export agreement:

Export agreement coding (PDF)

Country/entity: Ethiopia
Ogaden
Region: Africa (excl MENA)
Agreement name: Peace Talks Between the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and the Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF): Declaration of Principles
Date: 7 Sep 2012
Agreement status: Multiparty signed/agreed
Interim arrangement: Yes
Agreement/conflict level: Intrastate/intrastate conflict
Ethiopia's Territorial Conflicts (1990 - )
Agreements relate to three distinct (but related) conflict contexts:

Ethiopia-Eritrea. The first relates to the relationship between Ethiopia and Eritrea in the post-1990 period. In 1991, the Eritrean People’s Liberation Front (EPLF) defeated the communist military junta (‘Derg’) in Ethiopia and proclaimed independence for Eritrea. At the same time, Derg itself was overthrown by the Ethiopian Peoples’ Revolutionary Democratic Forces (EPRDF), which established a transitional government in Ethiopia. Eritrea was granted an independence referendum, which resulted in a 99.8 per cent pro-independence vote. However, border tensions and heavy disputes, in particular on minority rights and economic issues, between EPLF and EPRDF led to new fighting between the two countries in 1998. A mediation by the US administration led to a difficult truce and in 2000 a peace agreement was signed. The ruling of the Border Commission established by the agreement was rejected by Ethiopia. The border continued to be heavily occupied by troops on both sides and border skirmishes continued into 2016. In June 2018, after a series of summits, the state of war was declared over in a Joint Declaration of Peace and Friendship, as Ethiopia finally agreed to honour the ruling of the Border Commission. This followed by a series of steps to improve political, economic and diplomatic ties. Transport and telephone links have been re-established, and borders reopened. In July 2018, the countries have signed the ‘Agreement on Peace, Friendship and Comprehensive Cooperation’ reiterating their commitment to achieving long-lasting peace in the region.

Ethiopia-Ogaden. The third relates to the remaining conflict in the Ogaden region. Here the Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) in 1994 waged war against the Ethiopian government, demanding secession from the Ethiopian state and integration into Greater Somalia. Despite signing several agreements, low-intensity guerrilla warfare is still ongoing, although ONLF’s strength significantly declined after 2009. Pursuant to an agreement with the federal government, they have returned from Eritrea to pursue peaceful political struggle and planning to register as a party and participate in 2020 elections.

Ethiopia-internal. The second relates to the attempts to reach settlement between contending groups post the Derg’s overthrow with a negotiated political charter and ‘peace agreement’ constitution.
Stage: Pre-negotiation/process
Conflict nature: Government/territory
Peace process: Ogaden peace process
Parties: - The Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (FORE)
Signed by Head of delegation - Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia
Hon Si raj Fegessa - Minister for Defence, Ethiopia

The Delegation of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (FORE):
1. Hon Si raj Fegessa - Head of delegation
2. Gebre Adhana
3. Zeynu Jemal
4. Alemu Kitata
5. Mesfin Awulachew
6. ·Sabir Keda
7. Kassa Melaku

- The Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF)
Head of delegation - Ogaden National Liberation Front
Hon Abdirahman Mohamed Mahdi- Foreign Secretary, ONLF

The Delegation of the Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF):
1. Hon Abdirahman Mohamed Mahdi - Head of delegation
2. Mohamud Abass
3. Ahmed Abdi Yassin
4. Ahmed Gurhan
5. Hassan Ali Moalim
6. Mohamud Ugaas Muhumed
7. Sulub Abdi Ahmed
Third parties: Witnessed by the chair of the Kenyan facilitation team
Hon Mohamed Yusuf Haji - Minister of State for Defence and Ag Minister for
Provincial Administration and Internal Security, Kenya

The Kenya Government Facilitation Team:
1. Hon Mohamed Yusuf Haji - Chair
2. Hon Mohamed Abdi Affey
3. Hon Yusuf Hassan Abdi
4. Ali Bunow Korane
Description: This short agreement defines the principles and the agenda for talks to resolve the conflict.

Agreement document: EH_ 120907_ONLF-Ethiopia 1st Agreement.pdf (opens in new tab) | Download PDF

Groups

Children/youth: No specific mention.
Disabled persons: No specific mention.
Elderly/age: No specific mention.
Migrant workers: No specific mention.
Racial/ethnic/national group: No specific mention.
Religious groups: No specific mention.
Indigenous people: No specific mention.
Other groups: No specific mention.
Refugees/displaced persons: No specific mention.
Social class: No specific mention.

Gender

Women, girls and gender: No specific mention.
Men and boys: No specific mention.
LGBTI: No specific mention.
Family: No specific mention.

State definition

Nature of state (general): No specific mention.
State configuration: No specific mention.
Self determination: No specific mention.
Referendum: No specific mention.
State symbols: No specific mention.
Independence/secession: No specific mention.
Accession/unification: No specific mention.
Border delimitation: No specific mention.
Cross-border provision: No specific mention.

Governance

Political institutions (new or reformed): No specific mention.
Elections: No specific mention.
Electoral commission: No specific mention.
Political parties reform: No specific mention.
Civil society: No specific mention.
Traditional/religious leaders: No specific mention.
Public administration: No specific mention.
Constitution: No specific mention.

Power sharing

Political power sharing: No specific mention.
Territorial power sharing: No specific mention.
Economic power sharing: No specific mention.
Military power sharing: No specific mention.

Human rights and equality

Human rights/RoL general: Page 2:
Parties agreed on the following agenda and issues:
...
ISSUES
...
• Human rights and humanitarian issue
Bill of rights/similar: No specific mention.
Treaty incorporation: No specific mention.
Civil and political rights: No specific mention.
Socio-economic rights: No specific mention.

Rights related issues

Citizenship: No specific mention.
Democracy: No specific mention.
Detention procedures: No specific mention.
Media and communication: No specific mention.
Mobility/access: No specific mention.
Protection measures: No specific mention.
Other: No specific mention.

Rights institutions

NHRI: No specific mention.
Regional or international human rights institutions: No specific mention.

Justice sector reform

Criminal justice and emergency law: No specific mention.
State of emergency provisions: No specific mention.
Judiciary and courts: No specific mention.
Prisons and detention: No specific mention.
Traditional Laws: No specific mention.

Socio-economic reconstruction

Development or socio-economic reconstruction: Socio-economic reconstruction→Development or socio-economic reconstruction→Socio-economic development
Page 2:
Parties agreed on the following agenda and issues:
...
ISSUES
...
• Economic/Natural resources
Socio-economic reconstruction→Development or socio-economic reconstruction→Humanitarian assistance
Page 2:
Parties agreed on the following agenda and issues:
...
ISSUES
...
• Human rights and humanitarian issue
National economic plan: No specific mention.
Natural resources: Page 2:
Parties agreed on the following agenda and issues:
...
ISSUES
...
• Economic/Natural resources
International funds: No specific mention.
Business: No specific mention.
Taxation: No specific mention.
Banks: No specific mention.

Land, property and environment

Land reform/rights: No specific mention.
Pastoralist/nomadism rights: No specific mention.
Cultural heritage: No specific mention.
Environment: No specific mention.
Water or riparian rights or access: No specific mention.

Security sector

Security Guarantees: Page 2:
Parties agreed on the following agenda and issues:
...
ISSUES
...
• Security
Ceasefire: No specific mention.
Police: No specific mention.
Armed forces: No specific mention.
DDR: No specific mention.
Intelligence services: No specific mention.
Parastatal/rebel and opposition group forces: No specific mention.
Withdrawal of foreign forces: No specific mention.
Corruption: No specific mention.
Crime/organised crime: No specific mention.
Drugs: No specific mention.
Terrorism: No specific mention.

Transitional justice

Transitional justice general: No specific mention.
Amnesty/pardon: No specific mention.
Courts: No specific mention.
Mechanism: No specific mention.
Prisoner release: No specific mention.
Vetting: No specific mention.
Victims: No specific mention.
Missing persons: No specific mention.
Reparations: No specific mention.
Reconciliation: No specific mention.

Implementation

UN signatory: No specific mention.
Other international signatory: Witnessed by the chair of the Kenyan facilitation team
Hon Mohamed Yusuf Haji - Minister of State for Defence and Ag Minister for
Provincial Administration and Internal Security, Kenya

The Kenya Government Facilitation Team:
1. Hon Mohamed Yusuf Haji - Chair
2. Hon Mohamed Abdi Affey
3. Hon Yusuf Hassan Abdi
4. Ali Bunow Korane
Referendum for agreement: No specific mention.
International mission/force/similar: No specific mention.
Enforcement mechanism: No specific mention.
Related cases: No specific mention.
Source: On file with author

PEACE TALKS BETWEEN THE FEDERAL DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF ETHIOPIA AND THE OGADEN NATIONAL LIBERATION FRONT (ONLF) FACILITATED BY THE KENYA FACILITATION TEAM - NAIROBI.

KENYA

DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES

We, representatives of the Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (hereinafter referred to as the FORE) and the Ogaden National

Liberation Front (hereinafter referred to as ONLF):

Cognisant of the importance of the unique opportunity of facilitation afforded by the Kenyan facilitation team to reach a negotiated solution to the conflict in the Ogaden;

Concerned by the negative consequences of the conflict in the Ogaden in Ethiopia;

Hereby agree to the following Declaration of Principles (DOP) that would constitute the basis for resolving the conflict;

• Formal negotiations between the Ethiopian government and the Ogaden National Liberation Front shall be held to resolve the conflict;

• The common goal of the afore mentioned negotiations shall be the attainment of a just and lasting peace;

• Such negotiations shall be comprehensive and address the substantive issues that are the root causes of the conflict;

• The holding of negotiations must be in accordance with mutually acceptable principles and no preconditions shall be made to negate the

inherent character and purpose of the peace negotiations;

The substantive agenda of the peace negotiations shall include issues that will facilitate the implementation of any peace agreement;

• Both parties shall agree to specific measures of goodwill and confidence building in order to create a favourable climate for the

negotiations;

Parties agreed that the date of the next meeting will be on the 8th of October 2012 in Kenya.

Parties agreed on the following agenda and issues:

AGENDA

• Peaceful resolution of the conflict in the Ogaden

ISSUES

• Political issue

• Security

• Human rights and humanitarian issue

• Economic/Natural resources

This declaration was agreed on 7th day of September 2012 by:

Head of delegation - Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia

Hon Siraj Fegessa - Minister for Defence, Ethiopia

Head of delegation - Ogaden National Liberation Front

Hon Abdirahman Mohamed Mahdi - Foreign Secretary, ONLF

Witnessed by the chair of the Kenyan facilitation team

Hon Mohamed Yusuf Haji - Minister of State for Defence and Ag Minister for

Provincial Administration and Internal Security, Kenya

The Delegation of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (FORE):

1. Hon Siraj Fegessa - Head of delegation

2. Gebre Adhana

3. Zeynu Jemal

4. Alemu Kitata

5. Mesfin Awulachew

6. -Sabir Keda

7. Kassa Melaku

The Delegation of the Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF):

1. Hon Abdirahman Mohamed Mahdi - Head of delegation

2. Mohamud Abass

3. Ahmed Abdi Yassin

4. Ahmed Gurhan

5. Hassan Ali Moalim

6. Mohamud Ugaas Muhumed

7. Sulub Abdi Ahmed

The Kenya Government Facilitation Team:

1. Hon Mohamed Yusuf Haji - Chair

2. Hon Mohamed Abdi Affey

3. Hon Yusuf Hassan Abdi

4. Ali Bunow Korane