Talk:Oromo Liberation Front/Archive 1

Archive 1

Vandalism issues

There has been a lot of improper editions adding unrelated topics recently. Some of the additions talk about Oromo history, culture and other matters not significant to this article. Please refer to other specific articles to make such editions. (Jack248) 22:38, 7 May 2007 (UTC)

Proposed semi-protection

I propose returning this article to semi-protection. I've just reverted a series of deletion edits by an anonymous user, and if this keeps up (and I believe it will, given the recent attention) it would be simpler to semi-protect the article. I could do this myself but thought I should first bring it up for discussion, seeing how this has already been protected and unprotected in a rather short time period. -- Gyrofrog (talk) 15:17, 14 May 2007 (UTC)

Ethiopia: Tigray People's Liberation Front and the roots of terrorism in East Africa

http://www.tkb.org/Group.jsp?groupID=4287 http://www.tkb.org/MoreGroupIncidents.jsp?groupID=4287

Source: Developed by the Memorial Institute for the Prevention of Terrorism (MIPT), the Terrorism Knowledge Base offers in-depth information on terrorist incidents, groups, and trials. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by Hagos (talk • contribs) 02:12, 14 May 2007 (UTC).

The text from the preceding web page had been copied and pasted into this section. I've removed it, as it's a copyvio. Interested parties may simply click on the given link to read the text. -- Gyrofrog (talk) 15:20, 14 May 2007 (UTC)

POV

I am not sure if the article lacks factual accuracy but i agree it is not neutral. In order to be tagged for "factual accuracy" Wikipedia states 4 requirements:

• it contains a lot of unlikely information, without providing references.
• it contains information which is particularly difficult to verify.
• in, for example, a long list, some errors have been found, suggesting that the list as a whole may need further checking.
• it has been written (or edited) by a user who is known to write inaccurately on the topic.

None of these four issues are the case in this article. It has an overload of references. Some sources include famous Human Rights organizations and well-known news media outlets creating no difficulty of verification. All the info is sourced and there doesn't seem to be any visible error. Let me know if there is a reason to tag it with "factual accuracy." It seems like neutrality is the only problem and it needs to be tagged with NPOV not with Totally disputed. --Jack248 18:20, 26 May 2007 (UTC)

I've changed the tag accordingly. — ዮም | (Yom) | Talk • contribs • Ethiopia 05:53, 27 May 2007 (UTC)

I've tried to make the opening paragraph less slanted -- no more statements like the OLF was established "to lead an alleged liberation struggle". (Wow. Next, they'll be accusing each other of being ersatz fascists & dropouts from local street gangs.) -- llywrch 21:00, 26 June 2007 (UTC)

Complaints

The Wikimedia Foundation is receiving complaints about this article. David.Monniaux 04:24, 14 May 2007 (UTC)

From the OLF? Care to explain? Not that I doubt it, the article is biased (though sourced), just curious. — ዮም | (Yom) | Talk • contribs • Ethiopia 04:40, 14 May 2007 (UTC)

The peace loving nations throughout the world should understand that the Tigrean Peoples Liberation Front is a barbaric and brutal ruler with its massive human rights violations, ie. genocide, mass killings, disappearances of individuals, closure of self- help organisations within the empire, and so on.—The preceding unsigned comment was added by 130.92.9.58 (talk • contribs) 14:26, 28 June 2007 (UTC)

Please note that this page is for discussing improvements to the article. Thanks, -- Gyrofrog (talk) 15:38, 28 June 2007 (UTC)

Fair use rationale for Image:Olf.PNG

Image:Olf.PNG is being used on this article. I notice the image page specifies that the image is being used under fair use but there is no explanation or rationale as to why its use in this Wikipedia article constitutes fair use. In addition to the boilerplate fair use template, you must also write out on the image description page a specific explanation or rationale for why using this image in each article is consistent with fair use.

Please go to the image description page and edit it to include a fair use rationale. Using one of the templates at Wikipedia:Fair use rationale guideline is an easy way to insure that your image is in compliance with Wikipedia policy, but remember that you must complete the template. Do not simply insert a blank template on an image page.

If there is other fair use media, consider checking that you have specified the fair use rationale on the other images used on this page. Note that any fair use images uploaded after 4 May, 2006, and lacking such an explanation will be deleted one week after they have been uploaded, as described on criteria for speedy deletion. If you have any questions please ask them at the Media copyright questions page. Thank you.

BetacommandBot 01:47, 7 November 2007 (UTC)

Assassination attempt

A new section includes Kalonzo Musyoka's alleged claim concerning an OLF assassination plot. I am not sure the cited source is reliable; it is part of the website's "Reader Series", which consists of "opinion and commentaries submitted by African Path readers" ([1]). Is there a more reliable source than the one provided? A Google News search returned quite a few articles about Kalonzo Musyoka but none, so far as I could tell, mentioned an OLF plot. Until we can cite a better source, I have tagged the citation with {{dubious}}. -- Gyrofrog (talk) 18:19, 10 October 2007 (UTC)

As it's been about a year-and-a-half since I raised the issue, I have deleted the section in question. Feel free to restore the text if a more reliable source is avialable. -- Gyrofrog (talk) 21:32, 3 April 2009 (UTC)

Terrorist

Logic of HistoryWe can all agree this word is deragatory. If the word terrorist is to be used correctly why dont we see it by names such as Stalin and the government he ran. In the colonial period the colonists called the colonized who fought against those terrorists, who is the bigger terrorist here, the colonizers or those that defend themselves? This word is really opinionated since someones terrorist might be considered someone else a group that stands for justice. Just for the intire wikipedia, we are not to show any way favoritism to one side, so lets report facts of what has happened and confirmed rether then putting titles such as terrorists on one onther.Logic of History —Preceding comment was added at 23:24, 8 November 2007 (UTC)

You raise a valid point (see related discussion at Talk:Ogaden National Liberation Front#WikiProject Terrorism?). Do you have a specific concern about this article? -- Gyrofrog (talk) 00:17, 9 November 2007 (UTC)

Esparcadia (talk) 22:44, 28 February 2010 (UTC) the word itself is not derogatory if it is used properly and correctly. Lenin's and Stalin's forces were terrorists as they butchered innocent civilians on a massive scale. Dittoes for Mao and Taliban and Islamic states that are simply following the tenets of their "faith" which is that to kill "non-believers" is justified killing.

This post about OLF

The article posted on the wikepedia is posted by someone who don't like OLF and Oromo People. The poerson who post this artcle is some one who works for Ethiopian government. The Ethiopian gov. is the one who is killing Oromo civiliance and raping women. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 198.202.202.21 (talk) 01:17, 11 March 2010 (UTC)

Official terrorist designations

1. The Infobox specifies that the USA., the UK, and the EU have each designated (in one way or another) the OLF as a terrorist organization. Two of the three cited sources are now dead links, although those two are available via Archive.org (e.g. USA, EU). However, the OLF is not mentioned in any of these three sources. Furthermore, the OLF does not appear in the current US list (link); one also wonders how they'd be able to operate in Washington, DC (link) if they'd actually been designated as terrorists. I am removing these designations from the Infobox; if the OLF has, indeed, been designated a terrorist organization (other than in Ethiopia) then please cite a better source that specifies this. Otherwise, I must say I'm quite curious as to how and why the US, UK and EU were cited in the first place.
2. The lede text mentions that Ethiopia has designated the OLF as a terrorist group, but cites a source whose URL does not work. I have found other government sources which describe the OLF as terrorist ([2], [3], [4], [5]), but none of them specify that the government has designated the OLF as a terrorist group (but as they are government news releases, I am not sure there is much difference). The US State Dep't Background Notes only specify that Ethiopia has outlawed the OLF (link).

Thanks, -- Gyrofrog (talk) 17:41, 26 May 2010 (UTC)

Update: I think I see what happened with the Infobox. This edit added the Infobox, but the included comment (subsequently removed) indicates that this had been copied from an article about al-Qaeda; apparently the USA, UK, and EU terrorist designations were copied along with it (but not removed, until I did it a minute ago). -- Gyrofrog (talk) 17:53, 26 May 2010 (UTC)

Dear Wikipedia,

Kindly, remove such a horrific lies about one of the most important liberation organizations of the Oromo People. Posting such a lie is tantamount to cleansing Oromo People from the surface of the Earth. It is also against the reputation and credibility of your site.

Good day!! — Preceding unsigned comment added by 213.55.95.193 (talk) 07:03, 11 August 2011 (UTC)

You'll have to be more specific. The article has long been flagged for neutrality issues, but it is well sourced. -- Gyrofrog (talk) 16:45, 11 August 2011 (UTC)

"terrorist group"?

Comment moved here from end of article:

I would like to suggest that opinion and facts two different things. OLF is the most respected with clear and understandable goals to liberate colonized Oromo people in Ethiopia. This is not a nightmare, or myth it a truth. It is undeniable issue that you trying to argue. The word terrorist can not represent a liberation front.For fact that Americans called their enemies terrorist and you cannot give the same name to your enemy. Oromo proverb says “a dog burkes from providers home”, you trying to burke like Americans because you are eating American’s food. But, have ever asked yourself if you are a murder? You are killing innocent civilian, you told them that they are free to talk “freedom speech” but you are killing them for just speaking against you. Get to OLF, who stand against those actions of yours. I am not a reprehensive OLF but I as far as I know OLF, OLF is not an organization defined in this article. (apparently by 74.107.193.92 on 18:45, 17 December 2006) -- llywrch 20:26, 29 December 2006 (UTC)

yes this article does not say it all. my uncle was killed by coldblooded OLF soldiers!! these OLF rebels are the most cruel human beings i have ever heard of in my lifeNO doubt a tererist group - !!!there is much more destruction and killing that they have committed. but this article have not put everything. especially OLF's killings in cambolcha and other cities.User:Ethiopiawit1 3:26, 20 March 2007 (UTC)

It is sad to see that Wikipedia is misused by the TPLF paid agents. Oromo Liberation Front has never participated on terrorist acts. But those guys from the hardcore Tigrean Peoples Liberation Fronts, an organization which is ruling the Ethiopian empire, are campaigning against all opposition political parties in the empire. For the TPLF Propaganda Commandos one thing should be clear: You can cheat your friends, but you can't manage to cheat the international community. The atrocities committed by the TPLF/EPRDF regime in Ethiopia is available at www.hrw.org, www.amnesty.org, www.cpj.org, Reporters without Border, and country human rights reports from the western governments. For those interested, the OLF mission is available at www.oromoliberationfront.org —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 84.75.189.128 (talk • contribs) 22:47, 10 May 2007 (UTC)

If you want to improve this article, then please do so, so long as you add sourced information and don't remove sourced information, your contributions will not be reverted and will be in fact welcomed. This article is not on the TPLF, however. You are free to document their abuses and unsavory acts on the TPLF page, however (with sources). Anyway, the tyranny of the TPLF does not excuse the massacre of civilians who have nothing to do with the TPLF. — ዮም | (Yom) | Talk • contribs • Ethiopia 22:46, 10 May 2007 (UTC)

Yom, the article we are talking about is locked. It is a vandalized article and for sure it needs an improvement. I am aware of persons who would like to contribute to the article, and i hope the WikiProject Ethiopia admins should be neutral and informative. I think Wikipedia is neither Waltainfo, nor Ethiopian Ministry of Information website. Wiki is an information source for all, and the information to be posted here shouldn't be baseless. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 84.75.189.128 (talk • contribs) 22:57, 10 May 2007 (UTC)

I've requested that it be unprotected (it's currently semi-protected so that new and anonymous users cannot edit it) so that you may edit it. Keep in mind that you must use sources and not remove sourced information (so long as the source is reliable, which they seem to be). To balance it out, you may want to give any responses by the OLF regarding criticism and perhaps some short (e.g. not a tirade against the TPLF) background to certain sections. WikiProject Ethiopia isn't run by Admins. It's just a collection of people who contribute to Ethiopia-related articles and try to better them. All of the people involved are generally neutral, save a couple, but it's not them that you should be worried about for POV-pushing. — ዮም | (Yom) | Talk • contribs • Ethiopia 00:05, 11 May 2007 (UTC)

Esparcadia (talk) 22:40, 28 February 2010 (UTC) definitely a terrorist group - it has all the hallmarks of one: funding from outside; killing of innocent women and chidlren; espousing a hate filled ideology - Islam that condones such actions; etc.

a hate-filled remark from user Escarpadia :) 95.105.57.238 (talk) 10:51, 20 March 2012 (UTC)

OLF drops secessionist agenda

According to the Daily Mail (Jan. 03, 2012), the OLF has dropped its secessionist agenda (link). I've already cited this in the article. I'm not sure what this means for the future direction of the Wikipedia article, but I thought I'd leave a note about it. One other thing I thought I'd point out, possibly relevant given the new development, is that the infobox says the group's ideology is "Ethnic separatism." I'm not sure that the OLF has ever advocated this, at least on an official basis. "Ethnic self-determination" or "ethnic autonomy" come to mind as possible alternatives (though this brings "tomato / to-MAH-to" to mind). -- Gyrofrog (talk) 18:42, 3 January 2012 (UTC)

The OLF has two main fanctions and a small splinter fanction. The smaller fanction , called Jijjirama OLF, has little support from Oromos. To the contrary, it has more support from Amharas. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 121.247.122.15 (talk) 05:19, 22 March 2012 (UTC)

I couldn't find an English source (e.g. on Google News) that mentioned "Jijjirama". However, I did find a presss release at oromolibertaionfront.org which disavowed the earlier announcement. I've updated the article, including a reference to the subsequent OLF announcement. -- Gyrofrog (talk) 15:00, 22 March 2012 (UTC)

Biased and very vague

I find this article extremely biased. The information it gives about the OLF only lists some so-called "massacres" and gives you information about the ideology of the organization. There is no mention of prominent members such as Elemoo Qilxuu, Leenco Lata, Tsige Galataa etc. It also makes no mention of the fact that the OLF has split into two factions: OLF A39 (referring to Article 39) who support separation from Ethiopia — Preceding unsigned comment added by HOAScholar (talk • contribs) 03:07, 27 August 2012 (UTC)

ABOUT THE OROMO LIBERATION FRONT

Dear Wikipedia readers,

I believe one doesn't need to  be a rocket scientist to understand and see through these sheer propaganda against the Oromo ,OLA & OLF .

These articles are one sided, biased ,partial with no substances of truths in it! This won't be the first & the last to comeacross such deliberate lies & fabrications just to tarnish the good image or give an impression that the said organization (OLF) has no wide support from it's people (the Oromo )! Hoping that this will curtail the popular support (OLF)it enjoy from it wider Oromo people across the country. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 41.81.63.25 (talk) 10:33, 5 September 2012 (UTC)

removing POV tag with no active discussion per Template:POV

I've removed an old neutrality tag from this page that appears to have no active discussion per the instructions at Template:POV:

This template is not meant to be a permanent resident on any article. Remove this template whenever:

1. There is consensus on the talkpage or the NPOV Noticeboard that the issue has been resolved
2. It is not clear what the neutrality issue is, and no satisfactory explanation has been given
3. In the absence of any discussion, or if the discussion has become dormant.

Since there's no evidence of ongoing discussion, I'm removing the tag for now. If discussion is continuing and I've failed to see it, however, please feel free to restore the template and continue to address the issues. Thanks to everybody working on this one! -- Khazar2 (talk) 14:51, 15 June 2013 (UTC)

Failure of An Article

This article fails to present a balanced and complete picture of the OLF. There is no information on history, prominent figures and leadership. It wreaks of Ethiopian government propaganda. LencaOromo (talk) 21:45, 31 August 2013 (UTC)

This article is inflamatory and pits ethnic group against ethnic group. Wikipedia ammend and correct immediately. THere is no way you can permit an article to read with a statement saying mainly Amarahs, do you know how many of that entails and do you have any idea that Amaraha nd Oromos have married and intermixed for decaded upon decades?...wikignorance.— Preceding unsigned comment added by 170.201.180.136 (talk • contribs) 19:43, 27 September 2013‎

This article has a history of being edited by both strong foes and supporters of the OLF. I urge all editors to cite reliable sources for their edits. This will reduce some of the bias. Having seen death and damage caused by both sides, I gently call for peace. At least on Wikipedia. Pete unseth (talk) 21:42, 29 December 2013 (UTC)

I have tried to be unbiased in my improvements to this article. I hope the "neautrality" tag is no longer necessary. LencaOromo (talk) 17:45, 16 January 2014 (UTC)

Merger of Criticism and Rebuttal

I'm proposing we merge the sections "Criticism of the OLF" and "Rebuttal to Criticism" because, individually, they seem to take based on oppinions instead of just being informative pieces. LencaOromo (talk) 17:44, 16 January 2014 (UTC)

A big issue doing anything with that text, is that the "Rebuttal to Criticism" contains 8 paragraphs, but only 3 of them cite any sources. -- Gyrofrog (talk) 17:48, 16 January 2014 (UTC)

That's a good point, I'll try and find sources if they exist. I've also noticed that it seems to stray away from the topic of rebutting criticism to talking about general OLF history. LencaOromo (talk) 08:39, 19 January 2014 (UTC)

Is article about OLF or Oromo history?

Article is supposed to be about the OLF as an organization. However, much of the article, including several recent edits by LencaOromo, are about claims regarding Oromo history. I think much of the material about Oromo history belongs in a different article. This article should be about the OLF, with only a limited amount of material on the events of more than 100 years ago. Pete unseth (talk) 18:58, 16 January 2014 (UTC)

The history I added is about the OLF. If you have noticed, I begin with its formation in the 1970s and end in the present. Well of course, the history of the OLF and the history of the Oromo people would be connected since it is an Oromo organization hence "Oromo" Liberation Front". Unless I've missed something, I am pretty sure I have not added anything out of the OLF timeline, if I have, let me know. LencaOromo (talk) 08:47, 19 January 2014 (UTC)

extremely biased article

Is this a neutral assessment or an anti-OLF platform? Wikipedia shouldn't be used for such an unenlightened purpose. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 206.55.180.50 (talk) 07:15, 19 December 2009 (UTC)

The article seems biased, I don't think statements like the following should be in the article. It sounds like OLF mission statement not an informative article "The OLF recognizes and respects the right of minorities in accordance with internationally accepted principles to develop their culture, administer their own affairs, enjoy equal rights in every field of activity. Just like the current Ethiopian government, the OLF has also undertaken to vigorously work for the full realization of these rights and will take necessary measures to strengthen the bond of fraternity between the Oromo people and minorities in Oromia" -et-vol — Preceding unsigned comment added by Et-vol (talk • contribs) 20:26, 28 November 2016 (UTC)

OLF current operation stations

doesn't OLF work from eritrea now? or where?—Preceding unsigned comment added by Oromoforever (talk • contribs) 06:03, 20 March 2007 (UTC)

POV revisited

The neutrality on Rebuttal to Criticism of OLF section is highly debatable. It seems , it is a copy paste from the organization website. Reference should be cited and the section should be written objectively. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Et-vol (talk • contribs) 07:14, 4 January 2015 (UTC)

OLF other massacre lists

there were apparently many more massacres of amhara ethiopians. does anyone has more info on this?—Preceding unsigned comment added by Oromoforever (talk • contribs)

it doesnt mention killingd in cambolcha. User:Ethiopiawit1 03:26, 20 March 2007 (UTC)

Etiopiawit1, I am sorry for the killing you mention here, and i believe OLF has no intention to kill your uncle in Kombolcha too. Who ever committed that act (if it happened at all), the death of one person doesn't necessarily mean MASSACRE. Check the definition somewhere else. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 84.75.189.128 (talk • contribs) 22:47, 10 May 2007 (UTC)

OLF support from current oromos inside ethiopia

does OLF still have support inside the country? what kind of support?—Preceding unsigned comment added by Oromoforever (talk • contribs)

it doesnt mention killingd in cambolcha and other cities.User:Ethiopiawit1 03:26, 20 March 2007 (UTC)

OLF heroes/fighters

who are some of well known individuals?—Preceding unsigned comment added by Oromoforever (talk • contribs)

waan kana mee ilaali jaali!—Preceding unsigned comment added by 60.231.184.199 (talk • contribs)

Jara abba gadaa 1936-2013 Tadesse Birru 1921-1975 Waqo Gutu 1924-2006 Baro Tulsa 1938-1978 Ibsa Guyana Mekonnen Gallan Taha Ali Abdi Gizachew Tilahun Ebissa Adugna

Bilisumaaaaaa (talk) 12:17, 20 March 2018 (UTC)

Split

The OLA split from the OLF in 2018 and thus should deserve it's own Wikipedia page.--Garmin21 (talk) 23:58, 11 August 2021 (UTC)

This seems reasonable, but sources will be needed with claims both about OLF-OLA overlap and independence. Groups of people who've worked together and known each other for decades don't necessarily cut off all contact and influence on one another in reality, even when they claim to in terms of formal organisational names and structures. Boud (talk) 00:10, 2 November 2021 (UTC)