According to the statement the ministry sent to ENA on Tuesday, the defunct Union of Islamic Courts and the Eritrean government are behind the erroneous stories.

Following is the full text of the statement:

"[V]arious parties, in particular members of certain foreign media with their own hidden agenda and mission, have been disseminating erroneous stories alleging that the Ethiopian Government was blockading emergency food aid, restricting trade, causing price hikes and burning down villages in retaliation for support given to the so-called Ogaden National Liberation Front, (ONLF).

The truth, however, is that the ONLF, a terrorist group acting in collaboration with the defunct Union of Islamic Courts and the Eritrean Government, has been committing various heinous atrocities in the region. It has carried out horrendous human rights violations, including the indiscriminate murder of innocent civilians. Through such acts, it has also severely affected the peace and stability of the region.

In the discharge of their responsibility to safeguard the peace and national security of the country and its people, the Ethiopian Defense Forces have taken all legal measures deemed essential to stop terrorist acts perpetrated by this group. All operations of the Ethiopian Defense Forces have been successful in this regard: cross-boarder arms trafficking and contraband have been put under effective control. The ruinous terrorist activities of the ONLF have been, by and large, curtailed.

No wonder, therefore, if those who felt their interests threatened would disseminate groundless stories about population displacement, blockade of food aid and trade restrictions. Obviously, the hidden agenda and mission of these groups would not succeed in an atmosphere of peace and stability in the region. No exaggeration is intended here. This is what the actual situation on the ground in the region confirms.

As far as blockade on relief food supply alleged by those who have nefarious agenda is concerned, this has been effectively contradicted by the statement recently made by the World Food Program.

In the meantime, the authorities in the Somali Regional State have ascertained beyond any doubt that the International Committee of the Red Cross Office/Delegation in the region has been serving as a source of various supplies, and as a conduit for financial and logistical support to the ONLF. This is the only reason why the ICRC Delegation in Ethiopia has been recently ordered to close down its office in the region. The reason is clear: The ICRC Office in this particular region was not engaged in activities compatible with the ICRC mandate. In fact, it was doing the opposite. Giving assistance and succor to terrorists and, thereby engaging in acts of destabilization contrary to the obligations given to the ICRC under the Geneva Conventions.

In this connection the Ministry would like to warn all other entities operating under the guise of providing humanitarian assistance to refrain from such acts.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs finally would like to assure all interested parties or members of the media of its readiness to avail them every assistance needed should they wish to visit the region and find out the truth.

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