Warning: from the Ogaden National Liberation Front
Explorers targeted by Ethiopia rebels
Ethiopian separatist rebels said today that they would not allow oil and gas exploration in the eastern Ogaden region, and warned companies vying for a gas concession there against moving forward with their plans.
The Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF), ethnic Somalis fighting for independence from Ethiopia, named India's state-run Gas Authority of India Ltd (Gail Ltd) and its partner Gujarat State Petroleum Corporation Ltd. in its statement.
Earlier this month, Gail said it had been shortlisted to bid for Calub and Hilala gas fields in the onshore Ogaden basin, which are thought to hold a minimum of 4 trillion cubic feet of gas.
"So long as the Somali people of Ogaden are denied their basic rights to self-determination, the exploitation of natural resources in Ogaden for the benefit of the Ethiopian regime or any foreign firm will not be tolerated," an ONLF statement said.
The ONLF urged the companies to withdraw their final bids, due on 10 June.
"There is currently an armed conflict," between Ethiopia and ONLF fighters that makes the area unsafe, the ONLF said.
The Ethiopian government had no immediate comment, Reuters said.
Ethiopia has long blamed the ONLF for attacks on government troops in the vast and dry region, and human rights groups say the army has retaliated by intimidating the local population.