Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) warns Kenya

Oromo Liberation Army ( OLA) has warned Kenya in a statement issued today. The statement was released in the backdrop of ongoing security operation in Marsabit county of Kenya.

More than a week ago, Kenyan interior ministry announced the launch of a security operation in Marsabit county. The county shares a border with Ethiopia. Oromo Liberation Army (OLA), an armed group operating in the Oromia region of Ethiopia, has long been accused of having hideouts in Kenya. Kenyan interior secretary in a statement last week said that the operation was against local criminal elements and Oromo Liberation Front.

Ethiopian government also launched a military operation against the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) in Oromia region around a month ago. Since then heavy clashes have been going on in Oromia region involving OLA and Ethiopian federal & regional forces. The operation is being opposed by opposition political parties of Oromia. Read more..

Oromo Liberation Army in its statement today warned Kenya against becoming part of Ethiopian government’s operation against OLA. OLA has urged Kenya government to remain neutral.

Kenya is home to second largest Oromo population. Borena Oromos live in Kenya in large number. Reportedly OLA fighters have hideout in Marsabit country. OLA says that it respects Kenyan sovereignty and its fighters never attacked Kenyan territories.

OLA claims that Ethiopian government is trying to externalise the issue by involving neighbouring countries in Ethiopian internal conflict.

So far Ethiopian government has not announced any major gains in the ongoing military operation against Oromo Liberation Army OLA. Is OLA’s statement of warning to Kenya an indication that it is under pressure as on both sides of the Kenya-Ethiopia border, military campaign against OLA is underway?