Oromo, On The Move
By Laalo Guduru
When the EPRDF came to power I was an elementary school student. Since then I have completed my education and became a lawyer. I grew up in an interesting time – in the late 1990s and early 2000s, when the Oromo student movement was still active and was openly anti-EPRDF and very much pro-OLF, which I was part of. Even though I dodged imprisonment, I saw friends imprisoned, tortured, expelled from school or flee their country and become refugees.
During the same period I have also seen dramatic changes happening with my own eyes in the country. I started my education in Amharic. When I was in junior high school the medium of instruction changed to Oromo. Government functions also started to be conducted, at least in my area, in Afaan Oromo. Therefore, I believe I am a semi-Qubee generation Oromo.
Although at the initial stage in Oromia we used to see a lot of Tigrean soldiers in our areas and we felt we were living under an occupation force, it has been awhile since this occured – now their visibility has drastically diminished, and their direct interference ceased. Almost all the bureaucracy in Oromia is currently manned by Oromos. If there is any interference it is behind the scenes or only at a higher level.
On the contrary, Oromo independent newspapers, publications and media that cropped up after the fall of the Dergue are slowly but surely disappearing. I have also seen the best Oromo minds and artists fleeing the country and being wasted in foreign countries. At the same time I have seen Oromo culture reviving, Oromo music flourishing and state TV transmitting Oromo programs, and the exiled artists coming back. I have also witnessed thousands and thousands of Oromos graduating in a variety of fields from different universities at a level not ever seen in the past.
There is no question that mainly Oromia’s resources and tax revenue by and large, along with the resource of other regional states, subsidizes the spectacular development in Tigrai and the meteoric rise of Tigrean millionaires. It is a indisputable that in proportion to their population and even in absolute terms, the number of nouveau riche Tigreans created under EPRDF rule exceeds by far the number of new members added to the business class from other ethnic groups. However, compared to our population size, even though the number of rich Oromos is still pitiful, it is undeniable that today there are more Oromo businessmen than ever in our history. There are clear indications that the Oromo middle class is in the process of being formed. If things continue the way they are, there is no question that within a short period of time the Oromo middle class will attain a critical mass with a greater influence.
The moral of the story is that the last twenty years of EPRDF rule is the most paradoxical, enigmatic and even schizophrenic era, with mixed bag results. It is an era characterized by the coexistence of conflicting and contradictory results happening at the same time. On the one hand politically it was a shameful period for Oromos in that we were totally dominated and defeated by a minority population that makes up one tenth of our population size. It was a time in which even an organization that was representing Oromos in parliament was an organization made for us by an alien force. It was a time when even though the Oromos had the plurality in the parliament they were acting under the command of the TPLF.
However, on the other hand, this is a period that saw the colonial structure that put the Oromos under bondage being dismantled. This is the first time in recent history that Oromos started to administer themselves in their areas on this scale, and presented to the world as such. As a result, even though there are still inequities, currently it’s very hard to consider the Oromos as a subaltern society. Some of these fundamental changes happened, however, not because of the TPLF’s wishes, but in spite of them.
The Ethiopian constitution, in spite of all its weaknesses, by recognizing the rights of nations and nationalities has established the foundations on which the Oromo as a nation could make, at least on paper, and even more, a claim to political power – not only in local self-administration, but also a claim to federal power. The politico-administrative structure that for the first time recognized Oromia, and the associated thinking behind it, created a fundamental change with far-reaching consequences. The death of Meles Zenawi clearly accentuates the undercurrent changes that had been occurring in the country without many taking note of it.
These changes did not occur or are not occurring through an abrupt reversal the of political system accompanied by social, cultural, and economic unrest. Instead, incremental yet slow changes, even after the OLF was defeated, are steadily taking place, subtly altering the structure beneath the surface and eventually shaking things upside down. I don’t think that many Oromos are sufficiently appreciative or even understanding of the nature of the changes that are taking place. These changes are happening in ways that are too subtle for the average person to perceive. Unless Oromo politicians recognize the changes that have occurred in Ethiopia and chart their policies based on that, they will commit a grave error that could affect our people for generations to come.
The EPRDF unleashed ethnic politics as official state policy with the hope of controlling Oromo issues when possible through the tactic of preemption, by answering legitimate Oromo questions before they become more serious, and when this was not possible by quashing them through using state coercive forces. It had been remarkably successful on both fronts.
However, unbeknownst to the TPLF, in the undercurrent, changes that will bring to an end to TPLF dominance as we know it have been brewing. Despite the suppression of Oromo nationalism, despite the defeat of the OLF at the hands of the EPRDF, and despite the relegation of the OPDO to second fiddle, the Oromo educated professionals and technocrats within and outside the OPDO were able to successfully carve out a space for themselves and widen the scope of their influence and power in Oromia. This happened as a result of the three factors briefly mentioned above. First, the number of educated Oromos has increased tremendously over the last 10-15 years. Second, these are the people who are now exclusively dominating the middle and higher level bureaucracy in Oromia. And third, these are the Qubee generation who grew up under the EPRDF rule, believing in Oromia. A new Qubee generation has come of age and attitudinal change has settled in Oromia.
The change in the thinking that occurred in the last few years is not only confined to Oromos. Unlike Ethiopians who left the country 10 or more years ago, the young generation that grew up under EPRDF rule does not have much of a problem with the existence of Oromia. Therefore, irrespective of whatever happened under EPRDF rule, when it comes to ethnic equality, there has been a tremendous change in the attitude of the so-called Abyssinians, particularly in the urban population.
In fact even the middle-aged Abyssinian educated class living in Ethiopia has grudgingly come to terms with the idea of ethnic federalism. There has been not only acceptance of the idea that each ethnic group should manage their affairs in their own regional state, but there is also acceptance that real power should be equitably shared between ethnic groups for Ethiopia to continue existing as a country. Undoubtedly we are in a new age where a new consciousness is emerging. Unlike the diaspora Ethiopians, the people living in Ethiopia have realized the choice is no longer between ethnic federalism and unitary Ethiopia, but between ethnic federalism and no Ethiopia.
This brings me to the succession melodrama that followed the death of the “great leader” and the direction that the country needs to take. Ethiopia is a very complex society. It is also unique in many ways, and so demands a commensurable distinct solution to the intricate problems that have baffled and eluded us up to now. It has now become a hackneyed phrase to say that Ethiopia is at a crossroads. But this time, it is the real deal, we are at THE crossroads. This country has reached a crossroads many times in the past, but unfortunately has a knack of always taking the wrong turn at each opportunity.
There is now a consensus that Dessalegn Hailemariam was made a premier replacing Meles Zenawi not because the constitution requires it, or because he excels due to his personal qualifications, but because he was found to be a person who could stave off any power struggle within the EPRDF.
Since the EPRDF’s ascendance to power, the country has had only one prime minister and two or three deputy prime ministers. The prime minister was from Tigrai, and deputies have been either Amhara or from the Southern people. No one from the OPDO, an organization that has the most representatives of any in the parliament and represents the most populated region in the country, has been prime minister or deputy prime minister. The only position that appears reserved for the Oromos are the useless symbolic positions such as the presidency. This is an insult not only to the OPDO as an organization, but also to the Oromo people as a nation. This is also one more clear piece of evidence that Oromos are still living under a system of domination.
The Oromo, the largest national group in Ethiopia, have been without power since occupation for the last hundred and plus years. Unless there is a conspiracy to maintain the imperial nature of the Ethiopian state, and thus disqualify an Oromo from holding the highest position in the country, there is no any other rational explanation or justification, even following EPRDF thinking, why an Oromo has yet to be named prime minister in this day and age. A Tigrean was prime minister and head of the state for the last 21 years. The Amharas had been in power prior to that for almost a century. This is the most perplexing and vexing question – why the Oromo have been jumped over and positions given to those from other minority groups. Wouldn’t simple fairness have dictated that an Oromo prime minister would have been appointed by now?
This is a legitimate question that everyone should ask. And not only is this a question of fairness, but also a question of great political value. Making an Oromo a prime minister has tangible political and symbolic value for the whole country and thus should be a demand for all. From an Oromo angle, if an Oromo is made a prime minister and acquires real power, this goes a long way in eliminating once and for all the imperial nature of the Ethiopian state, whether perceived or real. Once we have an Oromo prime minister with real power, and Oromia administering itself, it would no longer be possible to claim that Oromia is still a colonized state.
For Tigreans, who want to cling to power at any cost for fear that the Amharas would come to power and centralize everything and take away the rights Tigreans have come to enjoy, this move of making an Oromo a prime minister should allay the fear, because Oromos believe equally in federalism, if not more, and are against the unitary form of government. Besides, Oromos have no claim to any territory of Tigrai, and the most robust exercise of Oromo rights short of independence would not affect or infringe on the rights and interests of Tigreans.
For Amharas who are very much concerned about the unity of the country, this is a great opportunity because the making of an Oromo a prime minister would take the wind out of the independence sail, as advocated by a substantial section of the Oromo intellectuals. Moreover, for the Amhara urban intellectuals, who are concerned about freedom of speech and other individual liberty rights, the ascendance of an Oromo to a premiership position creates a great opportunity to establish liberty through rational deliberation and procedural fairness. Making an Oromo a prime minster creates an opportunity to establish a democratic society, because unlike the TPLF, the Oromos have nothing to lose from democracy and are not afraid of free and fair elections, and therefore will not resort to all kinds of political shenanigans and machinations à la TPLF.
Compared to the Amhara and Tigreans, the Oromos share with the southern nations, Somalis, Afar and people in Gambela more wealth of historical and cultural references that accumulated throughout centuries as a result of linguistic, cultural, environmental and geographical affinities. With all the southern peoples of this region we also share a history of military occupation and its consequent cultural, social and economic ailments. Thus, the making of an Oromo a prime minister with real power will be a giant step forward towards reversing northerners’ domination and establishing a just society.
In short, for the country to continue existing as one entity, it is high time that the center of political gravity shifts from north to south. “There are numerous historical examples that support an objective political law – the oppression can exist and “men of the day” can exercise their authority for a long period of time, but this state of monolith strength cannot last forever” (T.S. Tsonchev). Oromos taking executive leadership of the ountry and the making of Oromia as the center of political power will create not only an opportunity to keep the country intact, but most importantly it will play a crucial role in establishing an inclusive, democratic and stable multicultural federal country.
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* The author can be reached at laaloguduru@gmail.com
a very interesting and sober analysis of the changes in the Ethiopian political setting in the past 20 yrs.
Good job
“This is an insult not only to the OPDO as an organization, but also to the Oromo people as a nation. “… I t CAN NOT be an insult to oromo people, since OPDO or others have not been given (through election) right to represent oromo people.
“the choice is no longer between ethnic federalism and unitary Ethiopia, but between ethnic federalism and no Ethiopia”
Thank you for making it clear.Amhara scholar in diaspora are still talking about dismantling ethnic federalism and continue to ignore that all the colonised people of south and east around 80%support the constitution of 1994.
Good Job!
Are you still stick on symbolism? We should strive for real democracy. I don’t think that the Oromo question solved through “Gobena”.
Think beyond shabby issue and think about real federalism, institutional democracy and individual freedom and work to make it a reality.
Thank you Jawar for posting this. I think it needs courage because this article is unique in a sense that it is very independent and objective and goes against all main stream Oromo thinking. This is a first non-OPDO supporting article that at the same time acknowledges the contribution of OPDO and also shows how they are accomplice in the occupation of Oromia. He/she is very good at showing the paradox that exists in Oromia. He also accepts the empire state nature of Ethiopia but does not advocate for independence from Ethiopia. And he presents it as if there is no contradiction between the two. That is a good thinking. He makes Amharas mad, by talking about system of domination. Makes the Woyane mad by talking about how they control the whole country and resource, and he makes Oromos mad by talking about unity. And at the same time he appeals to everybody. Its interesting.
An expatriate friend of mine who lived in Finfinnee and worked for the ECA described the Ethiopian Presidency as follows:
“Most people believe the Ethiopian Presidency is symbolic just like it is in many countries, but Tigrayans and Oromos see all Ethiopian presidents (Nagasso, Ghirma, and whoever may come next) as symbols of Oromo powerlessness.”
Abdi Deqeeno
A wonderful analysis and fact telling piece. Thamk you!
A decent analysis, even if you seemed to have made the rather heroic assumption that Oromo/Amhara/”Southern” people (s?) are internally homogenous. In my view, “ethnic-free” liberal democracy is the way forward. I fail to see how the mere ethnicity of the putative PM would guarantee democracy and prosperity in and of itself.
Individuals are individuals and often loath to be pigeon-holed in articficial boxes. I am an Oromo/Amhara with mixed parentage, a Christian and an Addis Abebean (i.e. city slicker) and married to a Gurage. I just tell my children that they are Ethiopians or from Ethiopia, because it is simpler and life is too short for pointless politicking. I am sure I am not alone in thinking this way, but I respect your point of view.
I am an x active member of olf and I do not agree with most of your analysis because being nationaliest doest not mean being blind. I believe now in one democratic ethiopian(national unity and territorial intigirty) for the seek of the people live in that country. let fight to bring peace, unity, stability to all poor people residing in that country instead of singing only for oromo. rise above the victim mind.
Jalata Abel: You brought again Haile Fida’s Meson ideology of let Amhara poor people share your land and property based on Marx’s blind communist analysis of “the world is divided in two catagory of poor and rich only”. WE Oromo nationalists are concerned of ethnic oppression through which poor Amhara flocked on us with Menilik and buchered 5 million Oromos in 30 years of war of genocide and occupied our land and wealth. Let them go back first, they enjoy a lotof facility in our colonized land such as imposing their language and culture and orthodox religion. No poor Oromo is allowed to go to the north of Amhara and Tigrai land. The flow is one way from the north to the south. she on that Haile Fida sacrificed himself and the cream Oromo youth among them Mitiku Terfassa and Dambi. You know, foolish Haile/new Gobana listed 3000 Oromo nationalists such as Baro tumssa, Gudina Tumssa, Aboma and Yegazu Banti in no 4 and 5 and myself on no 11. It was withthat list that Derg detained oromo nationalists in 1977. Shame on him/Haile and Negede Gobeze who were just blind communists like Karl Marx.
Thank you, Laaloo Guduruu.
You are right when you mentioned that there are paradoxical change in Ethiopia for Oromiyaa Or against. Your article is mostly centered around the TPLF’s pwoer sharing. What should Oromoo do to gain power and claim its self determination right? What is your stand between “ethnic federalism and no Ethiopia” choice as you mentioned ? Should we ask some body to give us power or should we get it by ourselves ? You recommended what Habesha’s (Tigrean Or Amhara) do to maintain Emiye Ethiopia before its absolute downfall . You gave them best win-win ,options that best suites both. But Oromoos need one Organization which fully empower all and drive toward the goal. You also mentioned in many places that ABO was defeated. I think that is not a good phrase to explain the status of ABO. We should not forget the good deed that ABO did for all us. Never defeated. Exist in our heart and mind. ABO did so many things in its part. Now it is upto the Qubee Generation to bring some change, to talk with any Oromo elites , political leader, elders, and all, then come together , discuss, come with new ideas. We fed up with talking about OPDO, Diaspora, bla..blaa…
Thanks again and forward
@ Tulu, we respect your right. There are a lots people like you. They raise there hand when we talk about our , Oromo, massive right. You say nothing when we are crashed under the name of Emiye Ethiopia. And also it is up to you to mix up your ethnicity and say “Life is too short” to your children. But we say, Long live Oromiyaa to our children . We never loose our identity and say , “We are all Ethiopians”. Don’t expect.
Jalata Abel,
You probably joined OLF for your personal gains not for the OROMO People. Now you lost that personal benefit you changed your objective whilst the Oromo political reality or problem has never changed. People like you are too shallow and self-centered to say the least.
Abishe
A great unbiased article. Good Job. On the accounts of Oromo nationalism, I would have to say that we have fought for too long and lost too many people to just give up even though I agree it is better for Oromo’s now then it ever has been.
To the OPDO’s Prospect, it is definitely true. Things had changed and we don’t deny that. But it happened through pain and unnecessary sacrifice. If the writer believe that the changes came through the hard-work of OPDO, it is a lie. It just came either through the process of Federalism and TPLF or under the good will of TPLF.
Anyway, Now the new generation shouldn’t expect of spontanational change. Rather we got to work hard, help oppostion party like Bulcha Damaksa and Marara gudina, and Forget OPDO AND OLF
Tulu and Jalata, I respect your opinion, but you dont need to claim your past position or race just to make a point, because it doesn’t seem fitting well with your point. The writer iritated me as well but not the way you both presented. He seems speaking of the things on the ground and it is ofcourse very disturbing for new policy concerning the oromo nation. I am sure the last 21 years of our opposition didn’t bring justice to our people. My people cant go and celebrate cultural events in his country they are occuped by alien forces and this low, it never happened to anyone but to oromo people. It make me sad and also tells me I did little or nothing to help them ease thier pain.
For the rest I think in the past centuries, Oromo has forgotten and become Ethiopia just to be abused and excluded from power. If you forget yourself nobody remembers you. That is what happened and should never happen again.
Very naive and even “green”. Some of the assertions are at conflict. Needs some fine-tuning if the assertions are mere understatement. On another note, this article, unwittingly, leaves an impression that the impacts of Wayyanee rule on the Oromo are somewhat mild that the Oromos outlived it. Think of how many died, still dying, suffering in prison camps. The writer’ s O romo middle class? The public knows who the are.
Honestly…the Tigreans prefer to see an Oromo PM than an Amhara. For the reason u mentioned~~~Federalizm. The only fear from Tigreans is an Oromo PM might try for secession….which is very catastrophic and very unlikely attitude. So please stop your secession attitude, and as a Tigrean I know the hearts of many Tigreans…for sure they are with you guys. As a tigrean I want to see an Oromo PM. ( personally i donot care whoever comes to power….because anyone comes to power works under the rule of the country), but for the sake of many Oromo brothers, i want to see an Oromo PM.
And you expect us to believe what you are saying? Oromos do not seek nor do they expect sympathy from Tigreans. We know that TPLF thugs (yes they were all Tigreans last time I checked) are responsible for the cold-blooded murder of tens of thousands of our compatriots and Tigray prospered primarily at the expense of Oromia. Mark my words, your days are numbered, Tigray supremacy is going to end soon, and I am sure you would wish you were not Tigrean when that happens.
why the oromos are unable to play the key role in the political and economic affairs of the country while it is the majority and its strategic location. is it lack of awareness and illiteracy? lack of unity? religious difference?or is our greatness in number negatively affected us?it is great question to be answered.
Thiis is for sure Lencco/Wango and DEmma/gurchoo group shamefull and utopian thinking. What system change can you expect with the police, security police the army (ground force, navy and air force) under 100% tigrean rule? you can be a civilian service provider officials under TPLF dominance? Shame on you and those who supported your rubbish idea either because they are ignorant or Wango/Gurracho group. Shame on all of you. OLF is still alive and soon will demolish the military power of TPLF and restore power and peace to Oromos and southern pepoles. No doubt in this. How and when this will happen is tactical and strategic issue of confidentiality. Long live dawood and Gallassa and their groups and supporters. Long live Jeneral Taddese biru and Baro Tumessa’s OLF of Gallassa and Dawood.
well done Dr Aba lafa
I think my position about the oromo people remain the same except I have different idea how to solve the real problem facing the nation and nationalists in that country. I still believe that oromos has to be free by any means but our ultimate goal as a nation shouldn’t be on difficult path that bring choaes to the region. we have to learn a lesson from our neighboring country like somalia. our kids don’t deserve to live in choatic or unstable oromia or ethiopia. . we have to fight to create free oromos in united one ethiopia but if you guys choose an independent oromia the road ahead is very difficult and you guys need strong leader who unified oromo. so far I did not see anyone yet. I am not againest bilisumaa, my question is what kind of vision we have after bilisumaa. My vision is one ethiopian and assebe will be our port otherwise oromia or ethiopian is/ will lose billion dollars every year. I don”t see my people bleed. I approved this message.
Jalata,
Who are the “victim mind”? as you call them. You might support OLF one time for some special reason, possible to claims refugees in some foreign countries. That could be your goal. Now you started singing for Ethiopian integrity. Mee kan kee beeki. keessuumaan jibba ishee hin beekne gangalcha cuubatti jedhan.
Laloo, good insight. You clearly point out that the time that amharans crying for unity was passed . At least the new generation from the northern part of ethiopia , accepted and believe that existance of oromia is not a threat for ethiopia like their fathers and grandfather who cried for “one ethiopia”, “one luanguage” and “one country”. specially for those dispora Amharas who bark the same old songs for their entier life, your article can help them to open their eyes.
I think the major problem is the fact Ethiopia has sick political culture for generations. Even those who talk about demoracy are not free from this enduring and long lasting sick political culture. Moreover, democracy in Ethiopia calls for much more than merely holding elections. There is a need to genuinely settle the problems of nations and nationalities once and for all. Elections alone cannot do that. As it stands now, some of the political entities, which talk about democracy, deny the very existence of the elephant in the room. Defining the very political problem of Ethiopia has not reached consensus among the interest groups.
Similarly, the very definition of so-called demoracy varies from political entity to political entity, and there is no universal definition of democracy in the world of Ethiopia’s politics. Thus the way some political entities define democracy is a prelude to an oppression and domination for other political entities. This is due to the sick political culture of Ethiopia, which usually choose denials instead of facing the ugly relaity. Personally, I don’t believe merely having an Oromo PM will change the sick political culture of Ethiopia. Sustainable solution calls for collective action against the problem and building consensus on the problem.
Changing any culture is not an easy adventure; least of all, in the traditionally rigid politics of Ethiopia. It will be a formidable struggle. The sick political culture in Ethiopia does not begin and end with the TPLF dictators. Of course, they are part of the problem-a significant part at that. But the problem is much larger than the TPLF/EPRDF regime. It includes the so-called democracy advocates; a democracy that sounds and feels like continuing the oppression and domination in different forms.
Politicians that hail from Ethiopia are culturally addicted to dominating and oppressing others, including in the name of democracy. This mindset is vivid for all to see.
Thus having an Oromo PM does not change much unless there is a change in the sick culture. Moreover, as Jawar elaborated in one of his articles, the power balance in military and security apparatus matters a great deal to bring any tangile and lasting change. Both are totally controlled by TPLF gangsters.
Laalo Guduru,
I think you have one of the individuals who have benefited from the present political arrangement in the Ethiopian Empire. I understand that you want to liberate yourself from the crimes that have been committed in which you directly or indirectly participated. Therefore, you like to tell us that the OLF was defeated. The OLF has political, ideological, and military objectives. Of course, the OLF did not yet achieve its military and political objectives, but its ideological objectives made people like you to call themselves Oromos. You should have known that without the OLF there are no names, such as Oromos, Oromia, and federalism
and qubee generation. You are beginning your Tigrayan masters to appoint a prime minister for you. What makes your Tigrayan appointed minster different from Nagasoo Gidada, Abba Duula, Mato Alqa Girma, etc.
Please provide us figures regarding the expansion of the Oromo middle class; here you are talking about OPDO members who cannot articulate their opinions because of the fear of their Tigrayan masters; some these individuals have imprisoned, tortured, raped, and killed their Oromo brothers and sisters suspecting that they are Oromo nationalist.
የእድገቱ መጠን ከምሥራቅ አቢሲኒያ ጋር ሲናፃፀር ሰማይና መሬት ነው ልዩነቱ። ምክኒያቱም የህወሃት መርህ ለራስ ሲቆርሱ አያሳንሱ ስለሆነ።
በዚህ በእኩልነት ላይ ባልተመሠረተ መጠነኛ የለውጥ እድገት የተነሣ – መላው የኢትዮጵያ ጭቁን ሕዝቦች ከበፊቱ በበለጠ ደረጃ ነቅተው ለነፃነታቸው በተጠንቀቅ ላይ ናቸው። ጭቁን ሕዝቡ ከዳር እስከ ዳር የሙካ በሬዱ ያለህ እያለ ድምጻቸውን ለጋራው፣ ለሜዳው፣ ለጫካውና ለሰማዩ እያስተጋቡ ነው። ለዚህም ነው ለጋሽ አገሮች እንኳን አገሪቷ በመስቀለኛ ጎዳና ላይ ነች ብለው የሚለማመጡት።
ይኸንን የጭቁን ሕዝቦችን ጥሪ በአቅሙ ደረጃ ለሚልስ የቻለው ኦብነግ ብቻ ነው። ኦብነግ ሃይሉን አጠናክሮ ከፋሽስታዊው ህወሃት ቁጥጥር ውጪ የሆነ ነፃ ቀጠና ለማቋቋም ችሏል።
ነፃነት የጠማው የዞኑ ጭቁኖችም ወደ ነፃ ቀጠናው በሞግረፍ ኦብነግን ከሜቼው በበለጠ ደረጃ አጠናክሮውታል። ኦብነግ የኦብነግ መሪዎች ድርጅት ሳይሆን የሕዝቡ ድርጅት እንዲሆንም አብቅተውታል። ህወሃት ኦብነግን ነጥሎ የመምታት ዜዴው በቀላሉ ውሃ ጠጣ ማለት ነው።
”በባዶ እጅ ከማንም ጋር አንደራደርም!” ብሎ ችክ ያለው ህወሃትን፤- ኦብነግ ግን ህወሃት ተገዶ ለድርድር እንዲለምን አስገድዶታል።
ኦብነግ ባገኘው አነስተኛ እድል እንዲህ ሲጠቀም፤ ታዲያ ሌሎቹ ከዚህ የበለጠ እጥፍ- ድርብ እድሎች ያላቸው- እድሉን በከንቱ ያባክናሉ ወይንስ የኦብነግን ፈለግ ይከተሉ ይሆን?
ዲሬን ዲራዻ ዮሙማ ዲሬቲ ባታ? ጀናን
ዲሬቲ በሄራ ዲሬቲ ኮታ ጀኤ አቢዑኦን ዑመታን ።
Interesting article, very well laid out and the argument makes good sense up to a point.
However, as a person who believes the guiding principle should be the rule of law over ethnic fairness, I get the impression that you do not believe it is possible for Ethiopians to transcend ethnic politics on the global scale.
If you tell me that fairness for all ethnicity should be a strong guiding principle, but not at the expense of a more important principle, the integrity of justice, then I may accept your argument.
Fellas you should respect to Tigreans!! those people scarified their lives for the betterment of the Ethiopian Nations and Nationalities. If not to thier sacrification, We wouldnot see an Oromo speaking, adminstraing himself with his Language and culture. this is real fact!
The Naziist Amahara in the diaspora are barking in the name of Ünity”to force us back to speak in their language. what a shame in the 21 century. this is simply insulting. The move of G7 is exactly this way. We must watch out those toxic elements for our common values and benefits.
Dubale, Dergu gave land to the tillers, therefore by your definition we have to keep dergu too as they did something good for the public. You can’t give people half and expect to get respect. Half=empty because people are not free and thier is subjugation. I am sure the same fate like dergu will happen unless the Tegru work to correct it soon. You can’t cheat for ever eventhough the opposition are weak, you might get tired by yourself to keep the status co and will give up
Obbo juhar yaanni ati ibsite hundi haalaan bu’a qabeessa.Ammoo wanni guddaan hubachuu qabnu nama tan isaa harkaa qabuutu tan waliinii hoogganuu danda’a hoogganuus uummata isaatiif bu’aa buusuu danda’a.OPDOniis ta’ee oromoniis yaroo ammaa oromiyaa harkaa hin qabdu,OPDOn ammoo ofii fuu of hin qabdu hooganaa hinqbdu kanaafuu biyya namni biroo harkaa qabu hooggantuus kan Dr.Nagaasoo tii fi kan Girma walda goorgis bira dabruu waan danda’ natti hin fakkaatu.garuu akkama atuu jatte warri amaaraatii fi kan birootiis dhugaa hadhooytuu itti taatee isaan rakkisaa jirtu tan yoo oromoon aangaa murteeysituu argatte baduu keenya jechuun bulguu itti taatee baareeysa jirtu tana ciniinfatanii gadi liqimsuu baannaan Itiyoophiyaan takka taatee jiraattuu fii jiraachisuuf isaan hawwan tursiisuun waan danda kamuumiti.
Yaroo qabsoon yoo jabaattee itti fufte uummata oromoo tiif bu’aa siyaasaa gudaa qabaachuu ni danddeessi jannee itti amanu roga tokoon jalqabamte ,tan nuti jalqabne malee tan biroo uummata oromoo bilisoomsuus ta’ee mirga isaa argachiisuu hin dandeessu jannee walii tumsuu baanne oromiyaa jaalannus ta’ee itiyoophiyaa keessatti aangoo siyaasaa uummata oromootiin malte argachuun salphatti waan ta’uu miti.
Kana kaniin kaasees caliseetumaamiti akka madda oduu adda addaa irraa dhagayaa jirrutti koree jiddu galaa OPDO keessatti wal dhabbii uumamteen wal falmiin cimaan isaan guddutti gaggeeffamaati jira.kun uumamuun uummata oromootiif carraa guddaadha kan wal dhageenyee wal jala deemuu dandeenyu yoo taane.qaawa kana kan kana dura dhbnee rakkachaa turre amma gargaree bu’aa uummata oromootiif falmaa jirtu isaan keessaa fudhanee deeggarsaa fi tumsa gama hundaan nurraa eeggamu mara gochuun qabsoo isaan keessatti finiinsuun akka dhootee ummata harka seentu gochuu qabna.an ABOn deeggara,Obkoon deeggara,jinniin deeggara jannee siyaasaa garga qoodamiinsaa kan humna uummata oromoo bakka kumatti qoqqoodee laamsheeysaa jiru kana dhiifnee ibidda boba’e kanarratti dibaa guurree daran haa finiinsinu.
Great Article
Laaloo,
You presented a very articulate and concise analysis. Thank you.
I left the country during the Dergue regime. I was in junior highschool when TPLF (we called the TAHAT at the time) came to power. I went back in 2003 for the first time and was impressed by the progress that the young Oromo men and women had made especially around education despite Woyane’s misguided education policy. As Obbo Johar writes, we have one frontier left to challenge-that is a real political power. That real power will only come through a real and fundamental political change, but not through a rationing of power. Whether Hailemaram or Abba Duulaa is appointed a PM will not make much of a difference since neither represents his constituents. Hailemaram is loyal to the party and the party members who put him in that position, but not to the people. In real democracy, however, an elected politician primarily answers to the very people who elected him to represent them. Party loyalty is secondary. The Woyane thugs might as well have place an Oromo in Hailemaram’s place and dump water on the Oromo question and further divide us. But their primal fear prevented them from doing that. If they did, it would be a liability to Oromos
We are only one step away from real power and that step is real Democracy and let us work for it.
.