OLF, vanguard of organized Oromo political struggle that started gathering momentum in the 60s officially came to the stage at the beginning of the 1970s. With more than a hundred years of alien domination it was an uphill stride that awaited it. It survived all the ups and down and is still existing at least in name though losing luster. Despite the organization’s mishaps the Kaayyoo it advocated for has been picked up by the people in unison that no one could get away with the craving for freedom that it ignited. The organization had kept on breaking into factions since short after its creation. But all factions have taken the national Kaayyoo as their guiding principle. This writer has participated in the efforts to bring the factions together in order to heal and strengthen the struggle. But individual ego and unseen forces stood on the way. There was high hope that they will come together under popular pressure after going back home. But alas, the division continued in spite threats against the very fabric of the liberation movement. One thing is certain they may crush individuals but never the national question. The Oromo question will remain a bone stack in the throat until it is answered.
OLF is expression of spirit of the nation, its dreams and its visions, in short, its Kaayyoo. Individuals that took the mission to implement it must be viewed apart from that Kaayyoo. When internal and external enemy attacks OLF it is not attacking those individual but the national Kaayyoo expressed by that name. This writer is proud of being a member of Qeerroo generation that founded this invincible liberation movement. It is now heart breaking to see continued divisions and diversions from the Kaayyoo among those whose mission was to drive it to the intended goal. No Oromo organization that does not embrace the national Kaayyoo can call themselves Oromo. They better call themselves with what they really are. With continued division no faction of OLF can be worthy of the name ABO. It is with regret that this writer distanced himself from any of the group but not the original Kaayyoo. He had been with OLF TA (QC) which had always been true to the original Kaayyoo, he believes. But that weathered away without notice. Leaving the process taken to history, if OLF have at any time the opportunity to unite, and we are still alive we may happily rejoin it. Be that as it may he will continue to defend the national Kaayyoo until his last breath with fallen comrades on his mind. No power on earth can stop Oromiyaa from independence even if it takes generations; the founders knew that the struggle will be protracted. The struggle shall continue! Oromiyaan haa jiraattu!
Honor and glory for the fallen heroines and heroes; liberty equality and freedom for the living and nagaa and araaraa for the Ayyaanaa of our fore parents!
Ibsaa Guutama
March 2020