Talks between Ethiopia’s government and the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) rebel group have ended without reaching any agreement, increasing the risk of prolonged conflict in the Oromia region. The preliminary negotiations began last week in Tanzania, and despite the government and the Oromo rebels acknowledging the need to continue the dialogue, no progress was made on key political matters.
“While the talks have been largely constructive, unfortunately, it was not possible to reach an agreement on some issues during this round of the talks,” the Ethiopian government communications service said in a statement, without elaborating on the sticking points.
It added, however, “Both parties have acknowledged the need to continue these talks with a view to resolving the conflict permanently and peacefully.”
The Oromo community, Ethiopia’s largest ethnic group, has long complained of marginalization, leading to the formation of armed insurgent movements such as the Oromo rebel group, OLA. The Ethiopian government has accused the OLA of being responsible for ethnic killings in the region, a charge the group denies. The government’s indiscriminate crackdown has fueled resentment against the central government, and the Oromo community has accused the government of neglecting their needs.
The failure of talks between the government and the Oromo rebels raises concerns about the possibility of prolonged conflict in Oromia, particularly if other armed groups continue to emerge.
Ethiopia, with more than 80 ethnolinguistic communities, has struggled to manage rival claims to territorial and political power. The Oromo community, which comprises about a third of the country’s population, has been particularly vocal in its demands for greater autonomy and political representation. The government’s attempts to address these demands have been met with both praise and criticism, with some accusing Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed of failing to address the root causes of the Oromo community’s grievances.
The failure of talks between the government and the Oromo rebels underscores the need for sustained dialogue and engagement with the various ethnic groups in Ethiopia, particularly in regions such as Oromia where tensions remain high.
