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

Addis Ababa severed relations with Qatar on Monday citing the Gulf State's "strong ties" with its arch-foe Eritrea and support to armed opposition groups within the country.

It also accused Qatar of becoming a "major source of instability" in the Horn of Africa region.

"If there has been a destabilising factor in the Horn of Africa, it has been the regime currently in power in Ethiopia," the Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) said in a statement

The Ethiopian regime's severing of diplomatic relations with Qatar is based on accusations which are far from reality and designed to divert attention from yet another unfolding African genocide in Ogaden."

The ONLF, operating in Ethiopia's southern Ogaden region, is fighting for the independence of ethnic Somalis in the region, who they say have been marginalised by Addis Ababa.

Ethiopia also charged that Qatar was using its media to undermine it, after the Qatar-based Al-Jazeera news network aired a series of reports earlier this month on the Ogaden region, where a news blackout has been imposed.

"Qatar follows Norway as the latest victim of the Ethiopian regime's paranoia in its dealings with the members of the international community," the ONLF added.

It said Ethiopia "can no longer conceal the systematic and deliberate persecution of an entire people solely because of their ethnic heritage and desire for self-determination".

"The regime can also no longer conceal the fact that it is not in effective control of Ogaden."

Ethiopia expelled Norwegian diplomats last year, explaining it was dissatisfied with the way the Scandinavian country was conducting its diplomacy in the region.