Ethiopia: Information on whether non-Oromos belong to the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF), and on whether ethnicity is a requirement to join the OLF
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 May 1996 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | ETH24158.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Ethiopia: Information on whether non-Oromos belong to the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF), and on whether ethnicity is a requirement to join the OLF, 1 May 1996, ETH24158.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6ac0c28.html [accessed 17 September 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
According to a representative of the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) in Washington, DC, non-Oromos cannot belong to the organization and as Oromo ethnicity is a prerequisite for membership criteria (16 May 1996). The only exception to this rule would be minority ethnic groups such as the Komos or Maos who reside in the Oromo region, whose populations number 2,000 to 3,000, and who are unable to provide their own representation (16 May 1996).
According to a representative of the Oromia Support Group, non-Oromos may belong to the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) if they so wish, and Oromo ethnicity is not a prerequisite for membership in the organization (10 May 1996).
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.
References
Oromo Liberation Front (OLF), Washington, DC. 16 May 1996. Telephone interview with representative.
Oromia Support Group, London, UK. 10 May 1996. Personal interview with representative.