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The Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) has accused authorities in Ethiopia’s Somali Region of unlawfully detaining two of its senior leaders without charge following a raid on the party’s office in Elweyne District, sparking renewed concerns over political repression and the erosion of the 2018 peace agreement.
According to a statement released by the ONLF, the two officials—Dr. Ayaanle Yaasiin Budul, chair of the party’s Nogob Zone office, and Bashir Osman Budul, chair for Elweyne District—were arrested in late May after armed personnel stormed their office. The party claims both men have been held incommunicado for over three weeks, denied legal representation, and kept at an undisclosed location.
The ONLF alleges that the raid was politically motivated and carried out under direct orders from Somali Regional State President Mustafa Muhumed Omar, a member of the ruling Prosperity Party (PP). During the operation, the party’s office was reportedly ransacked, its flag destroyed, and an elderly woman—identified as the mother of a former ONLF fighter and owner of the building—was detained for a week before being released without charge.
The group named five local and regional officials it claims were responsible for orchestrating the raid and detentions, including the head of the Nogob Zone administration, district police commanders, and PP leaders in both Nogob and Elweyne. The ONLF described the incident as part of a broader campaign of political intimidation aimed at silencing opposition voices in the Somali Region.
This latest confrontation follows a series of incidents that the ONLF says reflect a systematic effort to undermine its political legitimacy. In March, the party accused the federal government of violating the 2018 peace accord by supporting a rival faction claiming leadership of the ONLF. In April, security forces allegedly disrupted a women’s meeting at the party’s Jigjiga office, injuring several members.
The ONLF has demanded the immediate and unconditional release of the detained leaders, restoration of its Elweyne office, and an independent investigation into the conduct of the officials involved. It also called for an end to what it described as “state-sponsored harassment” and urged the federal government to uphold the constitutional right to regional self-rule.
The 2018 peace agreement between the ONLF and the Ethiopian government was hailed as a milestone in ending decades of armed conflict in the Somali Region. However, the ONLF now warns that the deal is at risk of collapse if the current pattern of repression continues.
Political analysts say the situation underscores the fragile nature of Ethiopia’s federal system, where regional autonomy often clashes with central authority. The Somali Region, in particular, has seen repeated tensions between local opposition groups and the ruling party, raising questions about the inclusivity of Ethiopia’s political transition.
As the ONLF presses for accountability, civil society groups and international observers are closely monitoring the developments. The detentions have sparked calls for transparency and due process, with human rights advocates urging Ethiopian authorities to respect political freedoms and the rule of law.
With the fate of the detained leaders still uncertain, the ONLF’s accusations have reignited debate over the future of political pluralism in the Somali Region and the broader implications for Ethiopia’s democratic trajectory.