09 November 2021
The leader of the Oromo opposition, Oromo Liberation Army OLA which is at war with the Ethiopian government, says his forces are very close to the capital and preparing for another attack, predicting that the fighting will end “soon”.
Jaal Marroo, leader of the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA), warned Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed that pro-government fighters were defecting and that the opposition was very close to victory.
“What I am sure is that it will end soon,” Jaal, whose real name is Kumsa Diriba, told AFP in an interview.
“We are preparing for another attack. The government is now just trying to get more time, and they are trying to provoke a civil war, so they are calling on the people to fight. ”
The OLA and its ally the TPLF have claimed several victories in recent weeks, capturing cities 325 km from the capital.
Jaal said his fighters are now only 40 km from Addis Ababa and have never retreated from their territory.
His claim cannot be independently verified.
The Ethiopian government has previously denied the opposition’s claim that it is a short distance from Addis Ababa, but has called on the public to defend the city.
Jaal, meanwhile, said the OLA was not a “threat” to the people, but demanded that Abiy Ahmed and his Prosperity Party be “completely eliminated” to begin reconciliation.
“We will make Ethiopia and the Horn of Africa a safer place to live. “I am sure there will be no fighting when Abiy Ahmed’s regime steps down,” he said.