Response to the Sundan Tribune contributor by Tesfa-Alam Tekle

The Sudan Tribune is reporting false information with the intention to create misunderstandings between the Ethiopian federal government and the Garre community. The fact is that the Garres and the Gabra were the victims of an invasion by the Oromia state militia. The invading militia were of Oromo and Degodia ethnicity. They attacked Malab and Chamuq which are the homestead of Garre and Gabra. These skirmishes were more like ambushes’; they attacked without warning and without any provocation.

The Oromo militias including the police were thwarted and now, the Oromo’s who have been lackeys for Sudan are complaining that the Garre were supported by Alshabab. However, Alshabab cannot afford men to fight in Ethiopia while they are busy fighting for their own survival. The Ethiopian Government has a duty to fight against any anti peace elements whose aim is to destabilize the country and to make sure its citizens are protected. Also, the Garre have an obligation to defend themselves against any enemy forces in order to protect their women and children from any harms. The Garre people do not need Alshabab to protect themselves against any invaders as they have been.

It is unfortunate that the fight caused refugee problems but the fight was instigated by the Oromia in Killil 4 under the assumption that Meles Zenawi has dead and now they have the upper hand to grab our land. But, they lost their own war and now they are talking trash and filling the air with propaganda. The Sudan Tribune should be ashamed of itself for relaying information that is not factual and breeding suspicion between the Ethnic groups in Moyale and Ethiopian Government. Sudan has been the sponsor of OLF, ONLF and many other terrorist groups while the Garre have been promoting peace and working toward lasting peace with all of its neighbors.

By Ahmed Quresh

August 05, 2012