Afar Revolutionary Democratic Unity Front (ARDUF)
On Monday (16.01.2012) our forces killed 16 Ethiopian soldiers and wounded a
dozen of them in
a battle when the Ethiopian forces opened fire on our patrolling unit near
the Arta-Ale Volcano in
a place called Xoxom. It was in this battle that the 5 European nationals
were killed. We regret the
death of those innocent civilians. ARDUF would like to convey its sincere
condolence and
sympathy to the families and relatives of dead peaceful tourists. We can
similarly confirm that
those German Nationals who were taken together with the Ethiopian soldiers
are safe and good
health. We can ensure that their peaceful release will be granted through
peaceful negotiation
with concerned part through the Afar elders in the region. But, we warn both
the Regional Afar
authorities as well as the Ethiopian Federal authorities not to engage in
another adventure
that can endanger the lives of the captured.
We can also confirm that European Nationals were absolutely killed by the
Ethiopian forces who
were accompanying them. TPLF -State -ETV showing only European Nationals on
TV, while they
kept their dead soldiers and injured secret in order to criminalize us
first, illegalize our legitimate
political demand second; and to terrorize Afar people in the region further
in the name of fighting
terrorism .
We assert that the Government of Eritrea has nothing to do with incident.
The fighting occurred
between ARDUF and TPLF led Ethiopian forces. Both European Nationals and
Ethiopian soldiers
were killed in battle with ARDUF. Therefore Ethiopian accusation of Eritrea
of arming and training
Afar Rebel (ARDUF) is baseless and unfounded. We are Ethiopian Afar
organization fighting for
liberating our people from political marginalization, economic deprivation,
social exclusion,
illiteracy and poverty for the last 29 years. For many decades, in the
region, the Afar people have
been suffering immeasurable loss and untold sufferings both economically,
socially, politically and
environmentally.
We, ARDUF, have history of a good record of protecting, respecting and
helping Foreign Nationals
and civilians. Previously, ARDUF had captured foreign Nationals who entered
its territories
illegally, more than seven times. The fact is that all those captured by
ARDUF were safely released.
We are principally against killings and torturing of innocent civilians
whatever nationality they
are.
We, ARDUF advise foreign nationals, commercial investors and companies to
avoid entering into
areas controlled by ARDUF forces without ARDUF permission. Any person who
violates or ignore
this advice can endanger their lives in a any engagements between our forces
and the TPLFEthiopian
forces.
Military Command Centre (MCC)
Afar Revolutionary Democratic Unity Front (ARDUF) UGUUGUMO
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Sidiica-Dara, Mabaya Locality
Zone four of the Afar State
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Received on Mon Jan 23 2012 - 18:02:37 EST
