The ONLF is a grassroots social and political movement founded in 1984 by the Somali people of Ogaden who could no longer bear the atrocities committed against them by successive Ethiopian regimes. Today, the ONLF as both an advocate for and defender of the people is dedicated to restoring the rights of Somalis in Ogaden to self-determination, peace, development and democracy

Recognizing that our country has been colonized against our will and without our consent by Ethiopia
Noting the misrepresentation of our struggle as a border conflict between Somalia and Ethiopia
Having witnessed the indiscriminate murder of our families and the looting of our collective and individual wealth
Having been denied our universally recognized human and political rights
Alarmed by the affront against our culture and way of life
Recogizing that the colonization of our country is the primary impediment to our economic and social progress
Noting that through successive regimes the oppressive policies of our colonizer towards our people and country remains constant
Have on this day August 15th 1984 in our country of Ogaden Established the Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF)
And as such we have bestowed upon it the following mandates.
To reclaim our inherent right to national  self-determination
To defend our country ,its people and natural resources from all enemies external & internal.