Before colonialism Oromo lived freely with independence respected by neighbors. All these colonial years Amaraa and Tigaruu ruled the empire they built by exchanging hands. They extended their culture, tradition and autocratic political system to the countries they occupied late 19th century including democratic Oromiyaa. For the Oromo it was like taken out of paradise and put into hell explained in some religions. Therefore, they have never stopped being nostalgic about their Gadaa past where all lives and the environment is protected by law. Since they were occupied, Oromo had never stopped struggling for independence. In 1991 a Tigaruu force led by TPLF accepted Oromo right to national self-determination and signed a Transitional Charter with OLF. But before the end of transitional period the accepted covenant was betrayed and OLF and many organizations were ousted. The federal constitution was proclaimed in 1995 without participation of independent Oromo organization like OLF. Despite that there were Oromo elites that wagged their tails to TPLF as if that was the end of Oromo political history. They continued for this one as well.
Though it seemed like a democratic constitution, TPLF started governing autocratically like its predecessors with modified policies of the empire. Because of that it lost power and whatever it had plundered by vengeance of Abiy and Isaayyaas after 27 years. The empire still did not fall even after severed relations with Tigray forces. Without it falling one cannot talk of equality, freedom and independence. Individual Oromo may live as quislings, by flattering and boot licking the oppressor twisting history. They will live quarreling with own conscience for betraying Oromo patriots. Oromo nationalists will continue fighting for independence even after the right of national self-determination is realized.
Oromo politicians starting from 1974 are divided into those that say that Oromo’s national questions can be answered in democratized empire Ethiopia; those saying the question can be answered if Oromiyaa is independent and those that want to maintain the status quo. It is not lack of information, experience or education that some advocate for the first unprecedented option, but it was the drained off self-confidence that led to doubt if they could manage Oromiyaa independently. The colonial brain washing for over a century should not be overlooked. They forget that Oromo had managed themselves democratically from time immemorial. The 60s was an era in which awakening of the Oromo started to ripe.Oromo like to create systems for everything. They have system for spiritual and material development. For this reason, they have own way to develop in intellect and numbers. In this way they had the Gadaa system that guide for them political, economic and social life. They increase their numbers by loving multiplying, “guddifachaa, moggaasaa and luka kenna”. This looks like what foreigners say naturalization. These were protected by supremacy of the law. As a result, their life was harmonious. The person of everybody is respected; one’s equality is protected, there is system that all peers participate in country’s affairs, all had also the system of being represented. Rulers had a limited term of eight years. Oromo believe that numbers are strength. When they marched together there were no forces that stood against them. Their bigness was not that they produced alone but they have a system in which aliens can voluntarily join them. These were performed after strengthening one’s base. Such systems of justice, equality and liberty are not liked by autocratic aliens. Some nationals, who were born to be lackies, are not proud of this system. There is a saying, “Donkey’s meat if put on a raft fall into ashes”. So that the aliens do not form relations with their nation they join it to add strengthen force for contest. Otherwise, Oromo had the culture, tradition and experience of thousands of years to work even towards African unity. Oromo peoples, big and small if taken as equals and given them equal opportunity there is no reason why Africa cannot compete with other continents
Many elderlies used to say, the enemy has trained soldiers, tanks and airplanes and so discouraged armed struggle. Some believed priority in educating people for self-consciousness, while others looked for coup d’etats from inside. But the impatient politically conscious youth armed with information about resistance around the world chose the way ayyaana of forefathers which was independent guided them. As political conscious started developing it bred the 1974 revolution. But it was kidnaped by colonial elites which were more organized and could mobilize armed forces built over a century. The injustice done, contempt and humiliation were such that the Oromo can no more bear it. Oromo which were rich in numbers and natural resources have no reason to be ruled by aliens.
Some Ethiopianist politicians never blame themselves for lacking the stamina to take risks. Rather than putting thousands of creams of Oromo in harm’s ways for the last over fifty years they did not bring significant change to Oromo life. While the independent movement with tremendous achievement is almost finishing the empire according to its political program. Instead of jubilating for this, they are seen lamenting for the empire’s disintegration. Empires in history are never spared from disintegration, leaving space for independent free entities. Unless the empire is dismantled Oromiyaa cannot be free.
Oromiyaa had more population than its colonizers. It was the largest in the region and still is. Oromo were not able to use their size, because of the alliance of world powers and their giving Oromo enemies fire spitting weapons which they didn’t have. The effect still persists. The war was between aristocracy and democracy, the unsung Gadaa; between colonized and colonizers. Yesterday Ethiopia and Oromo were victims and victors. Today Oromo are resistance against an aggressor. Oromo are peace lovers. When Oromo say let us live in peace as good neighbors or negotiate how we can “live in political union on the basis of equality, respect for mutual interests and principle of voluntary association” Ethiopia is rejecting. Colonizers do not want to recognize Oromiyaa’s sovereignty or possibility of them dominating. Their party should always remain dominant while others are registered to simulate a multi-party democracy. They want Oromo participate in selecting their leadership to deceive the world they are part of them. Nothing would detract Oromo from their demand of realizing the right of self-determination. It may possibly be by will of Oromo people to have the same constituency for which they may compete for governance. Until then Oromiyaa is not their constituency.
PP is a modified EPRDF. It retained all members of EPRDF except TPLF. Its head now is OPDO (ODP). EPRDF is formed by TPLF when it changed its mind to rule the Ethiopian empire (Abyssinia and its colonies). TPLF molded OPDO and other PDOs in its own image as political tool of the Ethiopian empire. Originally members of OPDO are alleged to be from Oromo POW and later additions recruited from Oromiyaa. All are brainwashed and assimilated into the Ethiopian political system. That is why we say OPDO as institution is Ethiopian and so anti-Oromo. Individuals may trace their national gene to Oromo but not political gene. Their leader upon taking power declared to return Ethiopia to her past glory and his heroes as told are Ethiopian emperors. Ethiopia had no more glorious era than when it occupied Oromiyaa. Resources like, precious minerals, ivory etc. it plundered and enslaved Oromo and others war captives were what helped him to trade overseas and got famous. OPDO’S leader in his speech did not mention about Oromiyaa because like emperors he did not accept Oromo question though it had brought him to power. Therefore, there is no reason for Oromo liberation movement to stop being against the empire that he leads. The Tigaaruu when they were in power did not forget their rear. Its country became shelter for TPLF when it slipped from power. Does PP get one who shelters it? That is why most people are saying, to say PP is Oromo government is wrong except the mentally weak and the opportunist. Oromo is not “Baala Gizee” (Best of the moment) as people say, it is even abuse more now.
To escape from colonial shackle absolutely Oromo nationals who were conscious and organized rose. That shook the empire from its base. And cause it to decline. Henceforth no prop can keep it up; it has to fall. After this nobody can look down to Oromo as a nation. Because of past brainwashing there may be some who remain as their lackies. But no one will stop the journey of Oromo liberation. So far, their struggle could not uproot the empire because the enemy is still able to set Oromo against Oromo. That cannot continue forever. That will stop when all will be conscious, and erase Ethiopianism from its mind in favor of Oromummaa. In all resistance wars there are quislings that side enemies’ side as spies and leaders. Such practice of siblings betraying siblings had stayed with Oromo requiring thorough study.
Enemies had been deceiving the naive as if real change for the colonized had taken place without affecting the foundation, changing decorations on its façade. Killing the bee that stung, doesn’t alleviate the pain unless the stinger is taken out. Still aliens are stinging their land, suppressing and getting plump with their own wealth. PP is their decoration though descendants of empire builders are misunderstanding it. PP is dominating Oromiyaa through the empire as ordained by nafxanyaa colonial system. They want to free that from PP and replace it, not to respect sovereign right of the Oromo. OLA is like one eye for the Oromo. That eye has to be protected will all defects even if it has rheum, snot and nit; if it is lost all things are darkened. A public attack by a national on any Oromo establishment is not productive, it helps only Oromo enemies. Those who call themselves Oromo have to consider Safuu before doing so. Way must be found for constructive criticism or suggestions could reach policy makers. Otherwise, is better to keep quiet until there is opportunity.
The predicament in which the Oromo are, doesn’t reflect their intelligence, the challenging sprit they have in history, and their demography. To make Oromiyaa stand on its legs had cost tremendous, however, much work is remaining. Many need to liberate themselves from colonial and feudal mentality which is demeaning in AI era. That is mostly observed in the diaspora. Because the unseen arm of the enemy is very long, we observe that it has tracked them to divide into party, region, clan and faith. Some even join Ethiopian community shunning the Oromo one. For reactionary sentiment and momentary benefit, they make Oromummaa not to cross the seas with them. But certainly, their next generations are going to experience identity crisis like we see among some Africans whose predecessors were brought overseas by force. We can learn from the Jews who kept their community strong and almost intact for thousands of years. Generally, Oromo children are not going back to their country; therefore, they must strengthen Oromo community at least for Oromummaa to survive here.
Political program of OLF tells that the fundamental objective of the struggle is the realization of national self-determination for the Oromo people (OLF program 1976). According to that Program, this will be realized among other things, by the establishment of the people’s democratic republic of Oromiyaa. So many lives are sacrificed in process of implementing it. It is only National Koraa that can change organization’s goal or any other provision of the constitution. For any member to violate terms of the constitution amounts to betraying own conscience and the memory of fallen patriots. A genuine Oromo understands Safuu the violation of which is punishable by humans or Waaqaa. The right of self-determination would be concluded by referendum. OLF had vowed to respect people’s decisions. But to agitate for the stand it has on its political program it must go to the end. Revisionists have tried to change the national kaayyoo, but they failed utterly. It was not only Vidkun Quisling of Norway that betrayed his country but several of them in all corners of the world. Aggressors helped by quisling may win battles, never wars. Lies and injustice committed on all holding the truth never left unexposed and defeated. But why do people volunteer to help enemies harm interests of their own nation? From occupation of Oromiyaa up to this day there are many Oromo who change sides. Other than momentarily filling their belly, what made them hate themselves? It requires deep investigation. Oath taken with comrades is sacred; why should one break it? Knowing the cause leads to the solution. 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
June 2026