OLF puts out demands, including call for freedom of political prisoners

| May 24, 2011

Unity of purpose and unity of action, a tested antidote to deflate over blown tyrannical regimes
In the light of the imminent rise of the people of Ethiopia against tyranny, the demand for a common set of
goals defining the target of the revolution has been growing. Lessons drawn from countries like Tunisia and
Egypt, whose people had scored spectacular victory over tyranny, instruct us that the success of people’s led
revolutions are inexorably tied up with fostering and maintaining the unity of the anti-tyranny camp. Such
unity, as in the case of Tunisia and Egypt was maintained by making the goals of the revolution free of
sectarianism and divisiveness.

Taking the lessons learned from the Jasmine and Nile revolutions into account, a
number of political groups, civic organisations and youth movements have been suggesting a set of goals that
the revolution in Ethiopia should target. Having looked into and recognising the merits of many similar sets of
goals suggested by many bodies Oromo Liberation Front has decided to put forward the following list of
demands that should be the rallying slogans for the anti-tyranny peoples revolt. We call upon all pro democracy
forces to rally behind the following demands:

1. An immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners. We demand that the prison Maikelawi
   (central investigation prison), a traditionally established central chamber of torture, mutilation and
   slaughter house of human beings, be immediately dismantled and closed for ever;

2. We demand an end to the unofficial emergency law; repeal all illegal legislations that are designed to
   suppress the civil and political rights of citizens. Repeal the recent Anti-Terrorism, Civil Society and
   Media Law legislations. ;

3. We demand that the regime immediately stop the twenty years of continued Military Campaign in
   Oromia, Ogaden, Amhara and other oppressed areas to forcefully silence the legitimate demands of
   these people.;

4. We demand the removal of the recent increment on the price of fuel and call for an immediate supply of
   basic goods such as sugar, oil and bread for the people by the government while in the meantime the
   market and all related economic policies be corrected and rectified. We also demand the sale of fertilizer
   at a monopoly price by TPLF companies be stopped and a moratorium be established to ease the plight
   of small scale farmers;

5. We demand for the immediate termination of the widely practiced Land-grabbing-policy of the TPLF
   regime, and all international agreements made so far be annulled in effect.

6. We demand that all the so called private properties of Zenawi’s family be confiscated and further
   investigation be undertaken into the yet unknown level of corruption by the family and close associates;

7. We demand Prime Minister Meles Zenawi immediately leave his office and relinquish his state power;
8. We demand that both chambers of parliament be immediately dissolved. We demand the formation of
   an all inclusive transitional government consisting of all major liberation movements and opposition
   political organizations, and civil society representatives towards instituting social justice and democracy;

Let us rise up in Unison to end injustice and Tyranny!

Brigadier General Kamal Galchu
Chairman, OLF