Gambella Nilotes Army Condemns Killing Oromos for Their Land

Gambella Nilotes United Movement/Army (GNUM/A) condemns the mass killing
perpetuated by the TPLF-Led Ethiopian government’s security forces against the Oromo
University students and other innocent civilians which occurred in many parts of Oromia
Region particularly in Ambo Zone since last two weeks. The students were peacefully
demonstrating their constitutional right for the Oromo farmers who were/are forcefully and
illegally evicted from their ancestral land around Finfine (Addis Ababa) due to new Addis
Ababa Integrated Master Plan imposed upon them.

As our sources confirm the killings continue in Nekemte town and other areas of which
unconfirmed number of innocent Oromos are being massacred. Many are arrested and many
more disappeared from their homes as the protest demonstrations continue.

It should be known that the proposed Master Plan by the TPLF – Led government of Ethiopia
did not consider the interest and participation of the Oromo people to ensure that it would not
cause eviction of people and land grabbing. The plan affirms the continuation of land
grabbing policy designed to displaced poor rural people of Gambella, Ogaden, Benisgangul
Gumuz, Afar, South Omo and other parts of the country.

The Master plan will evict million of Oromo farmers from their ancestral land and make them
landless, an act which denies their traditional land ownership rights around Addis Ababa. It
must be condemned at all might for it is undemocratic and barbaric. It follows the mode of
Menelik who built the country on slave trade economy in raiding slaves and plundering
resources of the subjects, in exchange for weapons from European colonisers to build his
hegemony, of which the Oromos, Gambellans, Ogadenians, Beneshagul/Gumuz people, Afar,
south western nations and nationalities, and others were the victims. The wounds inflicted by
the Menelik in the past are still open and bleeding, and it is immoral for the TPLF- Led
government to scratch the wounds inflicted by their ancestors against Oromos without
remorse.

For this reason we call upon all the Oromos to unite. Whatever differences may exist,
Oromos must unite as one body and seek solidarity from other oppressed people who are
fighting for their freedom. The TPLF – Led Ethiopian government is racist beyond any doubt,
and it is a failed state that believes in enforcing its racist policies at gun point. The unity and
moral we have are more than the weapons they put their belief. We shall prevail. It must not
be allowed to sell out Oromo land to foreign investors or to settle their own people in
Oromos’ land while Oromos are evicted. Currently other Ethiopian are not entitled to own
large land for their business unless those coming from northern part of the country. The land
taken from all the oppressed people elsewhere in the country including the Oromos should be
categorized as stolen property, in which day has come, actually it is very near to claim it back
from all TPLF members and supporters.

We encourage all Oromo people to continue with their demonstration not to allow any inch of
Oromo land to Addis Ababa Master Plan. We call upon all the Oromo people throughout the
world to strengthen their solidarity in support to those who are sacrificing their lives in the
country for the freedom of Oromos.

Gambella Nilotes United Movement/Army (GNUM/A) is also calling upon all people of
Gambella and other South Western Nilotes to stand together with Oromo people who are
suffering under brutal Ethiopian government.

We call upon the international community, international human rights organizations and other
concerned bodies to condemn the ongoing human rights abuses and atrocities perpetrated by
the TPLF/EPRDF regime against the Oromo innocent civilians who are demanding their
constitutional rights from the government.

We are also calling upon the United Nations, EU, AU, and all other humanitarian
organizations operating in Ethiopia to closely monitor the political and military action against
the innocent civilian in Oromia region.

At last we call upon the TPLF/EPRDF government to stop killing of the Oromos; to release
our brothers kept in various prisons in the country under inhumanly conditions; to recognize
the communal land rights and ownership in accord with the UN provisions; to respect Article
39 provision in the constitution and recognizes territorial integrity to stop extinction
measures; to respect our independence development and foreign policies to ensure our
freedom and prosperity in our territories.

In conclusion the Gambella Nilotes United Movement/Army (GNUM/A) will continue its
struggle for all people of Gambella and other oppressed Ethiopian to ensure freedom, justice,
security and prosperity are brought to the oppressed.