Halgan Media correspondents based in the Ogaden report a disturbing trend arising in the region. Local correspondents confirmed officials from the Ethiopian Prosperity Party (EPP) flooded into numerous towns and villages surrounding the city of Goday in Shabelle province.
Following the arrival of these officials, the delegates began threatening local residents and vowing to deny them access to direly needed humanitarian aide if they continued there support for the Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF). The officials went further and vowed repercussion for those in the area that continue to display any form of support for the ONLF.
In the run up to national elections later this year, voter repression has become an unfortunate trend in the Ogaden. Similar incidents took place in various districts and towns throughout the region in 2019.
In all the recent incidents, officials from the Somali regional administration withheld food aide from residents in ONLF strongholds, as seen in the towns of Sagaag and Danood during the previous year.
Withholding food aide from ONLF strongholds was a tactic coined by the late Ethiopian dictator Meles Zenawi in a bid to starve the civilian population and subdue public support for the insurgents (ONLF).
The latest developments in Shabelle province seems to be a revival of draconian polices against Somalis implemented during the nearly decade long reign of terror under the Tigray led EPRDF Junta.
As Election day inches closer, the regional authorities in Jigjiga will more than likely continue there abusive policies in the Ogaden and weaponize humanitarian aide as a tool to subdue the masses as seen by the previous regime.
Halgan Media Service Desk
Contact us : info@halganmedia.net
