Ogaden (Ethiopia)

Last modified: 2014-10-18 by bruce berry
Keywords: somalia | ethiopia | western somalia | ogaden | western somalia liberation front | somalia-abo liberation front | star (white) |
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• Ogaden National Liberation Front flag (ONLF)
• Previous flag of the ONLF

See also:

• Ethiopia
• Ethiopia - national index
• Ogaden Region
• Somalia
  

The Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) is a separatist group fighting to make the Ogaden region in eastern Ethiopia an independent state.  The ONLF was established in 1984 and claims Ethiopia is an occupying force  as the area is inhabited by many ethnic Somalis.  According to the Ogaden Forum there is a new flag for the ONLF since 03 January 2010 which replaces that previously used (see below) as well as a new flag for the Ogaden region.  
Chrystian Kretowicz, 04 Dec 2010

I looked at several Ogaden websites and they are all still using the original Ogaden National Liberation Flag as the de facto flag for Ogaden (called by some Ogadeniya). Tony Burton of Flags Australia recently helped some Ogaden people in Sydney to obtain hand-wavers of this flag for their 30th anniversary commemoration.   It is the ONLF emblem on a white over red bi-coloured flag.
Ralph Kelly, 09 Sept 2014
 

  Image by Željko Heimer, 15 Dec 2007

The Ogaden Community uses this flag for the Ogaden region of Ethiopia describing it as follows: "The flag of Ogaden consists of green, blue and red horizontal stripes with a pentagonal white star in the centre of the blue stripe. Green represents the fertility and richness of the land. Blue stands for the dignity and integrity of the people. Red symbolizes the continuity of the struggle for self-determination and freedom. The white star represents the commitment and unity of the people."
Gvido Petersons, 01 Aug 2003

An article in the New York Times about the conflict in Ethiopia with rebels in the Ogaden region has a photo of a flag with caption: "An O.N.L.F. soldier shows the flag that would represent the Ogaden as a separate country.  The Ogaden lies on the border of Somalia and Ethiopia and the flag is a blend of the Somali and Ethiopian flags."
Lewis A. Nowitz, 15 Dec 2007