Leaders of the Oromo Federalist Congress party (OFC) who recently released from prison called on all parties engaged in war to solve the discord through negotiation. 

The politicians expressed sadness on the atrocities and depredations committed against civilians in Oromia, Tigray, Benishangul Gumuz, Afar, and Amhara states that happened following the war that took more than 13 months now.

“However, we believe there is still a small window of opportunity to prevent further destruction, restore peace through reconciliation, and rebuild the country,” they said.

 It goes without saying that such an arduous task requires a genuine political will and good-faith engagement from all stakeholders, the leaders underscored.

They also urged the government to take practical and irreversible actions to keep its encouraging pledge towards seeking peace and reconciliation over conflict and confrontation. 

They call up on  all warring groups to safeguard the safety and protection of civilians, property, and infrastructure until a negotiated, comprehensive ceasefire is achieved.

They called on all external actors to play a positive role to end the civil war in Ethiopia and facilitate peace and stability in the region through refraining from fuelling the conflict by providing political or material support to any of the warring parties. 

The leaders also urged the people in general to resist the ongoing civilian militarization, hate mongering, and unbridled call to arms. 

They underlined that war is not a solution to the country’s complex political crisis and added only a serious and genuine negotiation and dialogue among the people can lead to lasting peace and mutually advantageous coexistence.