| | The recent preliminary agreement between the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (FDRE) and the Houston-based American oil company, Sicor , regarding the exploitation of the natural gas deposits in the Ogaden basin is completely unjust to the local people. The deal between the two parties disregards the rights of the inhabitants of the Region, as neither their development needs nor their future plight resulting from the project itself has been taken into consideration. Worse still, the people have never been consulted on the project and the repercussions it may have for their future environmental and economic welfare. Notwithstanding the fact that this agreement deprives the indigenous people of their fundamental right to their natural resources, it belies the democratic pretensions of the Zenawi government. |
