Ethiopian rebels return home after giving up arms

Some members of the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) are surrendering to Ethiopian authorities on the Kenyan side of the border.

On Wednesday, a Moyale DOI, Mr Ngala Mwachiro, said that at least 70 rebels had laid down their arms and crossed into their country, which is preparing to hold parliamentary elections on May 23.

“They started surrendering through Kenya on Saturday, saying they don’t want to live in the bush any more,” Mr Mwachiro said in his office.

Moyale DC Joshua Nkatha said the surrender would enhance security in northern Kenya and improve ties between the two countries. “Ethiopia has accused us of protecting rebels, which is not true,” said the DC.

Have relatives

He added that if the conflict between the OLF rebels and the government in Addis Ababa subsides, the influx of small arms into Kenya would also reduce. The insurgents have been fighting the Ethiopian government since 1973.

They accuse it of colonising the Oromo people who live in the south of the country. Ethiopia has been complaining that the OLF rebels usually cross into northern Kenya, where they have relatives.

On the other hand, the Kenyan government says interaction between the rebels and their relatives usually provides a route for small arms entry into the country.