Finfinnee, September 24, 2026 — The Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) has issued a strongly worded statement calling on the Ethiopian government and the Prosperity Party (PP) to immediately embark on genuine peaceful negotiations to end the devastating war in Oromiya, warning that continued military action will only trap the country in a vicious cycle of poverty, disease, and misery.

In a statement released today from Finfinnee, the OLF declared that the “reckless war” of the past eight years has entailed devastating consequences, with many innocent lives lost and resources that could have improved the lives of the people “frantically destroyed.”

A War Without Solution

The OLF criticized the government’s reliance on military might rather than mutual understanding and compromise, stating that such an approach “has not yielded any solution to the ravaging war.” Instead, the statement warned, “the depth and breadth of the conflict have expanded day after day, month after month, and year after year.”

The organization painted a grim picture of the conflict’s toll: “The loss of young and helpless souls and the endless ravage into the villages of poor households, the devastation of social and economic infrastructures, and their consequences will surely trap the country into a vicious circle of poverty, disease, and misery.”

“A sympathetic heart and a wise gut would not dare to see this continue,” the statement read.

The Only Solution: Genuine Peaceful Settlement

The OLF was unequivocal in its position: “OLF believes that the only solution is a genuine peaceful settlement.” The organization called on the government and the Prosperity Party to “embark on genuine peaceful negotiations with all concerned parties to end the war and find a solution to the misery of our people.”

The statement reaffirmed the OLF’s longstanding position that “war and military action have never been a lasting solution to political conflict.”

Defending Oromiya Against External Threats

The OLF also raised concerns about what it described as the “northern coalition, known as Tsimido,” which it accused of aiming “to turn Oromiya into a battleground for an unnecessary war; reverse the fruits of our struggle so far gained, and control Oromiya to usurp its resources once again.”

“The Oromo people cannot remain silent on this,” the statement declared. The OLF called on the Oromo people to “unite, regardless of political differences, and to defend their territory and villages without infringing on the rights of others.”

A Call for Oromo Unity

In a direct appeal to Oromo political parties and the regional government, the OLF urged all Oromo stakeholders to “stand in unison without jeopardizing the rights of the Oromo people.”

“This is not a time when we count on our political differences and party lines,” the statement emphasized. The OLF warned that “detaining political activists and party members exacerbates the suffering of our people” and called for the immediate release of those in custody.

“The meaningless detention of innocents should abate, and those in custody should be immediately released,” the statement read.

A Warning to Those Who Stand with Aggressors

The OLF also directed a sharp warning at those it accused of standing “with our historical aggressors and exploiters while claiming to struggle for the Oromo people.”

“You are making a historical mistake that history will never forgive you,” the statement declared, calling on them to “reconsider their path.”

A Call to All Peace-Loving People

In its concluding appeal, the OLF called on “all parties, especially the Government and the ruling party, to embark on genuine peaceful negotiations that end the suffering of our people once and for all.”

The organization urged “all stakeholders, including religious leaders, Abba Gadas, Haadha Sinqees, diplomats, media personnel, journalists, and all peace-loving people, to campaign for a peaceful settlement to avert the ugly, devastating war confronting us.”

The Stakes for Oromiya and Ethiopia

The OLF’s statement comes at a critical juncture for Oromiya and for Ethiopia as a whole. The eight-year conflict has exacted a heavy toll on civilians, infrastructure, and the social fabric of the region. The OLF’s call for negotiations reflects a growing consensus among many observers that military solutions have failed and that only dialogue can bring sustainable peace.

The statement’s appeal to Oromo unity — across political lines — signals the OLF’s recognition that internal divisions weaken the collective ability to address the crisis. By calling on the regional government, political parties, and civil society to work together, the OLF is positioning itself as a voice for a unified Oromo approach to peace.

Whether the government and the Prosperity Party will heed the call for negotiations remains to be seen. But the OLF’s message is clear: the time for war is over, and the time for genuine dialogue has come.

“Victory to the Mass!!”

Source: Oromo Liberation Front (OLF)