Recent Developments
The OFDM recently joined forces with other Ethiopian opposition groups to form Medrek, otherwise known as the Forum for Democratic Dialogue. Other members of Medrek include the United Ethiopian Democratic Forces led by Beyene Petros, the ARENA party, former president Negasso Gidada, and former Minister of Defense Siye Abraha. In June 2008, the OFDM accused the Ethiopian government of ignoring the ethnic conflict in western Ethiopia which allegedly killed 400 Oromos. The OFDM called it a massacre and blamed the government as being at least "an accomplice."
OFDM Secretary General Bekele Jirata was arrested November 2008, along with at least 14 other ethnic Oromo for alleged ties to the outlawed Oromo Liberation Front and a previously unknown armed group, Kawerj, connections which were denied by the OFDM. He was released 4 February 2009 on bail. No date has been set for his trial.
Read more about this topic: Oromo Federalist Democratic Movement
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