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PP RUEHROV
DE RUEHAE #0756 2681209
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 251209Z SEP 06
FM AMEMBASSY ASMARA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8430
INFO RUCNIAD/IGAD COLLECTIVE
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 1205
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 1380
RUEKDIA/DIA WASHDC
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC
RHMFISS/CJTF HOA
RHMFISS/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC

C O N F I D E N T I A L ASMARA 000756 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
LONDON FOR AFRICA WATCHERS, PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/25/2016 
TAGS: PGOV MOPS KDEM ASEC ET ER
SUBJECT: OLF CHAIRMAN SPEAKS ON ENDF AND RECENT OROMO 
DEFECTIONS 
 
REF: ADDIS ABABA 2572 
 
Classified By: CDA Jennifer McIntyre for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). 
 
¶1. (C) On September 22, Poloff met with Oromo Liberation 
Front(OLF) Chairman Daoud Ibsa in Asmara. Daoud provided 
further insight into the state of affairs of the Ethopian 
National Defense Force (ENDF) and the OLF efforts in 
Ethiopia, following the September defections of two high 
level ENDF generals to the OLF in Eritrea.  The defections, 
Daoud proffered, were indicative of the larger disaffection 
of ethnic Oromo,s in the ENDF and divisions within the ENDF 
along political lines.  Furthermore, according to him, both 
the Oromo rank and file and the officers, resent the observed 
corruption of the Tigrayan officers. 
 
¶2. (C) The ENDF, Daoud claimed, presently is engaged in a 
Soviet style purge, or self-criticism process, with the aim 
of having the ethnic Oromo members of the military 
incriminate themselves.  According to him, the ENDF sponsors 
mandatory meetings for soldiers, encouraging soldiers to 
speak openly about their ideas and complaints.   Anyone who 
speaks out against the government or admits to an 
Oromo-ethnic alliance is then treated as a criminal within 
the ENDF.  Daoud claims that all Oromo members of the ENDF, 
officers and enlisted, are under suspicion and arrests are on 
the rise.  As an example of inter-ethnic tensions, he shared 
one story of after the suspected murder of an Oromo soldier, 
a Tigrayan soldier turned up dead the next day in 
retaliation. 
 
¶3. (C) Daoud claimed that the OLF was aware of the September 
defections of Brigadier General Kemal Gelchu and Brigadier 
General Hailu Gonfa long before they occurred, insinuating 
the OLF was involved in their coordination.  He confirmed 
that 250-300 soldiers with their weapons, but no artillery, 
came across with General Kemal in August.  When pressed as to 
where the Generals were residing in Eritrea, he admitted they 
were no longer in Asmara.  From his lack of response to 
whether they were training near Keren, Poloff inferred that 
they are likely no longer there, either.  Daoud further 
alleged that some members of the 10th division who remained 
in Ethiopia continue to be loyal to General Kemal, despite 
their being under increased scrutiny or incarcerated by ENDF 
Tigrinya officers. 
 
¶4. (C) Comment: Daoud maintains a legal residency in Asmara 
and the GSE continues to support him and the OLF, although 
the full extent of GSE support is unknown.  Daoud claims 
material support is limited by virtue of geographic distances 
between Oromiya and Eritrea.  As the Chairman of the OLF, 
Dauod was permitted to meet with the defecting generals and 
their troops.  His perspective on the situation within the 
ENDF echoes reftel report.  As for Eritrea,s support of the 
OLF, as long as the OLF continues to advocate for the 
overthrow of the TPLF, the Eritreans will lend assistance to 
support this end.  End Comment. 
MCINTYRE