For more than a century Oromiyaa or biyya Oromo is referred to by the Abyssinians as their “Qinyi Gizat” meaning their colony. After the Revolution of 1974 they have stopped talking about colonialism and started saying we are all one people Abyssinians or Ethiopians. By the revolution ownership of Oromo land was only transferred from the landlords to the empire state. But as far as Oromiyaa is not formally decolonized and the people exercise their right of national self-determination the Oromo question will never be answered. Habashaa colonialism except for geographical proximity and the way it was executed is no different from other colonialism known in African countries. European imperialists did not directly invade part of the Horn of Africa but opted for Abyssinia as their partner, supplying it with firearms, training and sending war experts. By colonialism we mean a system where a victor takes control of another country and its people, forcefully settle its own people, exploit the occupied people’s labor and their land and resources for own purpose. The Abyssinian kingdom wiped out half the population, after which they politically controlled the economic, social and cultural aspects of Oromiyaa, kingdoms and republics to its south and dislocated the remaining population through slavery and serfdom. As a result, political subjugation, and suppression of culture, tradition and language went on for more than a century and half. All in all, genocide was committed on Oromo and other colonized people. In the backdrop of these Oromo youth rose to liberate their country and be free from alien rule.
It has been a while since Oromo nation started a pan-Oromo struggle for decolonization and national self-determination. With that it had also registered what can be called miraculous achievements. The Abyssinian colonial system had been shaken from its fundaments. The chaos that is caused because of it had created among colonizers serious confusion and misunderstandings. Partners of the colonizing empire are split and turned against their own central government and against each other. The wars they started are showing devastating effect on former kingdom state and on the empire. Some attempted to preempt national liberation struggles of the colonies but could not stop them. It is said, “Hamer when the iron is hot”. This must be the time to decolonize and dismantle the empire as planned by founders of the struggles. Oromo freedom and the status quo are irreconcilable. For some Oromo to try throwing a lifeline at this time to save the colonizers or their agents, is self-defeating. It is possible that they will hang them with the same rope they thrown to rescue them.
With their struggle the people had already started to be called Oromo on world level instead of their derogatory name. Their country, the Oromo country, Oromiyaa has got a spot in world map. It had been assured that their language, “Afaan Oromoo”, is able to be spoken in public gatherings and to work and learn with it. This has broken partial monopoly of the colonial language Amharic and all remuneration it bestows to its speakers and writers. These were unthinkable fifty years ago. The sabotage they are now doing to turn back Oromo revolution will be met with disaster they have never experienced. When the incumbent power of the empire clearly state that he shall restore Ethiopia to its past height there are those shamelessly calling it Oromo government. Such people cannot be normal but under spell or hallucination of a sort. The height he mentions was reached with the occupation of Oromiyaa. Him and those he represents had never recognized the Oromo question even by slip of the tongue. They have never accepted the prewarning of their own people from Walalliny to Mallas. They told them to stop the lie that the empire is multinational not of one nation.
Being a victim for more than a century; rising showing a force that ever increasing; having a great population; having tremendous resource and fertile country, Oromo must have been people to be begged by others for peaceful relations and reconciliation. This has never been done; rather Oromo having a country in this part of Africa is questioned. It is surprising for contemptible one to have contempt for such humble people. Despite that, some Oromo elites volunteer to sit in alliance with remnants of the historic enemy without them apologizing for present bad mouth and all past abuses done by their forefathers.
The objective of the enemy is to make them agree to form alliance and if possible, to mobilize OLA for their national interest or to disable it. Purpose of forming coalition with such people is to cover which weak points of the Oromo? These Oromo elites may call such relations tactics but there are no tactics that ignore national strategy. Such change of heart can never be a tolerable difference of opinion but willingly submitting to the enemy. Some of them have already started to lament for the possible dismantling of the empire. By formation of the colonial empire Oromo are ones that lost their country and with-it economic base, rights, honor and justice. The culprits never recognized Oromo grievances and never approached them for correction if there is any. But only Oromo elites that always beseech them with alternative solution however demeaning that may mean. That is why patriotic Oromo are continuing resistance whatever it may cost. No recognition of at least past gruesome relations no cooperation.
There are times when struggle surges forward and times when ebbs. Sometimes many of those that started the struggle may slip and have also slipped and can be obstacles to it. However, they may cause hiccup but are not able to choke the kaayyoo of their nation. Now continuing enumerating problems of the nation seems to be enough. The time is time to act for nationals. It should be a time to maintain achievements so far and discuss how to take back the rest of their country not to waste time initiating talks with the adversary camp. All nationals have to run for the rescue with ability, knowledge and skill one musters. It has to be the time to review what type of structure, what types of abilities, and what type of diplomatic skill we need. It must also be the time Oromo concentrate and build trust among themselves and become self-reliant and strong enough to defend themselves. In the meantime, their door is open for conflict resolution according to the policy they laid down decades ago.
After they assure self-reliance and internally build the necessary trust, Oromo can go out to other Africans starting from the Horn if they want to join them on the basis of equality and principle of voluntary union. If those across the oceans do not interfere, problems among Africans could solve itself. The problem is interference of those with different interests. Just like they did for raw material for their fledgling industries in 19th century they can clash on African minerals and other resources even recolonize it in other forms. Their technology does not operate without those minerals and resources. In such a time of globalization it is essential that Oromo become owners on their resources and take foreign interest into consideration, to get what they want in peaceful and fairways and with Oromo’s will. Economy is the base of most human clashes. It is Oromo’s fertile land, rich natural resources and their labor that has attracted colonizers. Oromo have to get them back under own management for their children to grow and live decently and they live with human dignity.
The Oromo have their own strong values, and they have no need to follow others’ values. But they can find with all common humans’ values. They are to be rivals not subservient to any other. At present because Oromo resources are in enemies’ hands, the balance of power may relatively tilt towards the enemies. History is full of such episodes. But if the Oromo dare stand against it with determination and commitment, if their ayyaana is not capricious the Oromo shall win. To host whoever comes according to its coming, needs knowledge. If Oromo stand together, they have the ability and the knowledge as well. Any Oromo doubting the nation’s ability to do that is one that is assimilated, coward or one that does not believe in Oromummaa. Principles of the Gadaa have solutions for all Oromo
problems. Instead of studying that, trying to use alien’s ways only leads to wrong results. Oromo by tradition have the tendency to stabilize relations with their neighbors. They usually do this without affecting other people’s rights. They love self-reliance and expect others to be the same.
Oromo have the potential and determination to fend off any aggressor. The root of Oromo problem starts from colonialism. Had imperialists nor colluded with their neighboring kingdom Oromiyaa would have never be occupied. The enemy had tried several times when both sides were equipped with rocks, clubs, spears and bows and arrows. They had only defeated them when they were armed with foreign fire spitting weapons and foreign experts to operate and teach them how to operate. This is not the first time they combatted with Oromo force; in the 16th century they did same with Portuguese soldiers, but they were utterly defeated. That is how the only black African force turned colonialists. Black colonialism is a reality which should not be considered taboo. This white colonialism in black mask has to be exposed with facts and figures. The Oromo colonial question remains hiding under myriads of propagandas, opportunism and racism. The regional problems cannot be solved as long as Oromo question remain pending. 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
October 2025