Issa and Gurgura Liberation Front
Issa and Gurgura Liberation Front (IGLF) was a political faction in eastern Ethiopia, led by Riyaale Ahmed. IGLF, which is based amongst the Issa clan in northern Hararghe, evolved out of the Iil Tire division of the Western Somali Liberation Front. During its initial period of existence, it engaged in clashes with the Somali National Movement around the Ethiopia-Somalia border.
Around 1992 IGLF was involved in clashes with the dominant Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF). During this period IGLF sabotaged the Addis Ababa - Djibouti Railway.
However, later IGLF reconciled with the government. In 1993 it took part in the formation the government of the Somali Region, together with the Ogaden National Liberation Front. Mahdi Ahmed became the secretary of the government.
In 1994 IGLF merged into the Ethiopian Somali Democratic League, the EPRDF partner in the Somali region.
January 1993: The founding conference of the council for Region 5 began 21 January. The executive committee members elected Abdullahi Muhammed Sa=di President, Siyad Badri Muhammed Vice President, and Mahdi Ahmad Warsameh Secretary. The president and vice president are from the ONLF and Warsameh is of the Isa and Gurgura Liberation Front.
12 February 1994: Ten Ethiopian Somali organizations merged to form the Ethiopian Somali Democratic League (ESDL).
Elsewhere in eastern Ethiopia, the TGE experienced problems with the Isa and Gurgura Liberation Front (IGLF). On October 4, 1991, clashes between government forces and IGLF rebels resulted in the temporary closure of the Addis Ababa- Djibouti railroad near Dire Dawa and the disruption of trade between the two countries. The fighting also disrupted famine relief distribution to nearly 1 million refugees in eastern Ethiopia. By early 1992, the IGLF still had refused to recognize the EPRDF's right to maintain security in the Isa-populated area around Dire Dawa. By 1993, nonetheless, improved conditions allowed the Addis Ababa-Djibouti railroad to operate on a fairly regular basis.
Bordode/Mieso
http://www.africa.upenn.edu/eue_web/jijigmay.htm
The Horyaal Democratic Party was founded by the Dir Gadabursi clan; their area of influence straddles the Somaliland border and incorporated the Dire Dawa, Jijiga and the Awbar zones.
On 9 February 1994, at a meeting in Hurso near Dire-Dawa a new political party called the Ethiopian Somali Democratic League (ESDL) was founded. This party claims to represent the objectives and needs of the Ethiopian-Somali people; giving particular attention to and observing the cultural and traditional practices of the people; and giving due regard to the local constitution (Heer).
This new party aims to develop a stronger link with the Transitional Government in accordance with Article 9, Title 6 of the ESDL constitution which states: " I am fed up of my father and my father brought me his father! " states a Somali proverb. (Posted by guest: shalac) (Posted by guest: sahal)
GLF (Gurgura Liberation Front) led by Abdelasis Ahmed; HDP (Horiyal Democratic Party), from the WSLF (Western Somali Liberation Front), led by Abdi Ismail and representing the Gadabursi; the IGLF (Issa and Gurgura Liberation Front), headed by Riyaale Ahmed, which, since a split in 1991, only defends Issa interests (essentially the control of the Djibouti-Ethiopian railway line).
The pro-government ESDL which hope to become part of the EPRDF is headed by current Transport minister Abdulmejid Hussein (Issa Habar Awal). It has 76 of the 139 seats in the Regional Council and 15 of the Somali Region's 23 seats in the House of Peoples' Representatives, as well as the two seats for the autonomous city of Dire Dawa.
However, later IGLF reconciled with the government. In 1993 it took part in the formation the government of the Somali Region, together with the Ogaden National Liberation Front. Mahdi Ahmed became the secretary of the government.
In 1994 IGLF merged into the Ethiopian Somali Democratic League, the EPRDF partner in the Somali region.
THE ETHIOPIAN SOMALI POLITICAL PARTIES ETHIOPIAN SOMALI DEMOCRATIC LEAGUE
§ The pro-government ESDL which hope to become part of the EPRDF is headed by current Transport minister Abdulmejid Hussein (Issa Habar Awal). It has 76 of the 139 seats in the Regional Council and 15 of the Somali Region's 23 seats in the House of Peoples' Representatives, as well as the two seats for the autonomous city of Dire Dawa. Though it has little support among the Ogaden, the ESDL is backed by the northern clans, the Issaq, Dir (Issa, Gadabursi, Gurgure) and the non-Ogaden Darod (Bartire, Yabare, Mejertein, Dhulbahante).
The ESDL was set up in February 1994 by merging some dozen Somali political and clan groups, including
§ DAL (Democratic Action League) led by Mohamed Shek Ibrahim, representing Ethiopian Issas Dir
§ ESDM (Ethiopian Somali Democratic Movement), close to the SNM (Somali National Movement) of Somaliland
§ and very divided; GLF (Gurgura Liberation Front) led by Abdelasis Ahmed(Dir);
§ HDP (Horiyal Democratic Party), from the WSLF (Western Somali Liberation Front), led by Abdi Ismail and representing the Gadabursi Dir
§ IGLF (Issa and Gurgura Liberation Front), headed by Riyaale Ahmed, which, since a split in 1991, only defends Issa interests (essentially the control of the Djibouti-Ethiopian railway line).
§ Isa Tigers Association (ITA) Riyaale Ahmed
