From the Stone Age to this era of information, nations have come clashing over economic resources. In the era of imperialism European nations colluded to share Africa, the technologically underdeveloped continent but rich in raw materials. They were successful in subduing the spear wielding Africans with their fire spiting guns. Technology brought the difference between traditional relations. The only African country that was recruited into their fold as partner was the Abyssinian kingdom later named Ethiopia. That kingdom was allowed to share with them the Horn of Africa. Very strange for black African becoming colonizer with white Europeans that remains a puzzle for many. Did they consider it white or because it tied the string? Few wanted to cover it up as internal expansion. Engagement like the Battle of Adwa in 1896 are being taken as a war of blacks against whites. However, there were Europeans of interest in helping Abyssinia to maneuver the new guns in the Adwa Battlefield. The Italian army was majority black Africans. It was a battle between colonizers of the Horn of Africa, but this history was told distorted. Abyssinia got from its European partners including Italy, modern war machines, experts in all fields and military trainers and advisors to overcome challenges from ill equipped neighboring African nations. That changed traditional balance of power between nations in the region. Later those weapons were used against a partner, Italy which was undermanned and under equipped at that moment. Thousands of colonial people were sacrificed to bring fame to Abyssinian regime and shame to Italy. The Battle of Adwa had been used as propaganda piece by all dictatorial regimes since then. If anyone gets the opportunity victory is not determined by color of skin. The defeat of Italians was not surprising except for the racists. It is proper for the victorious nation to celebrate but to add to it the color of skin is despising oneself.
Following the two world wars new sets of laws were promulgated for regulating universal human rights and the relation of nations. All the powers agreed to end the era of warlordism and have new world order where every nation is to be guided by rule of law. Despite that there were powers that supported illegitimate Abyssinian rule over its colonies even after European colonies were “freed”. Those are what we shall call here third parties. Their relationship with Ethiopian empire is a minute part of competition they have worldwide. Therefore, it helps if one sees own relations with them, in relations they have with others. Colonialism is still hanging around African countries changing its form to neocolonialism. For Ethiopian empire the form is not yet changed, classical colonialism persists. Because of the historical accident, administration of the Ethiopian Empire and the Amharic speaking group claim deceitfully lands of nations, nationalities and peoples they colonized as part of Abyssinia included in the fiction of 3000 years. For this reason, they do not accept the demand for rights of nations to national self-determination, and so the existing federal constitution. Why do the Amaara alone oppose this? Because they do not want the colonial empire decolonized? Oromo can no longer tolerate living under wrong profile. Oromo must make any future decision as a nation not as a tribe or section of Ethiopia. From experience Ethiopia cannot change its tradition and its attitude towards its colonies.
Big powers of the world have interest to protect in Ethiopia and Africa as a whole. Oromo liberation movement have so far did not give attention to role of third parties in the struggle. But since the adversary cannot function without them, equal importance should be given to them to shorten the ordeal of the struggle. Like they formed the Ethiopian empire third parties can help in dismantling it and making nations free. So far third parties openly support the devil they know rather than the rightful victim they only know as lucrative enemy of their buddy. Oromo knew them as friends of their oppressing colonizer but did not give attention to the details. Therefore, since their involvement is inevitable it is better to create understanding and try to make them part of the solution. Absence of peace interferes with the market which is not favored by third parties. So, assuring them that one’s freedom does not affect their legitimate interest may neutralize their partial stand. There is no Safuu, a moral standard like in the Oromo to hinder them flexibility. In the 19th century Lord Palmerston PM of Britain said, “we have no eternal allies, and we have no perpetual enemies. Our interests are eternal and perpetual, and those interests it is our duty to follow. The West is following this as a fundamental principle even today.
Oromo revolution involves three parties, the two that are fighting and others which have interest in the region. The Oromo force is waging a revolution for the right of nations for national self-determination, assure sovereignty and to decolonize Oromiyaa once and for all. Force of the adversary, Abyssinia is making efforts to sabotage this and control Oromiyaa. The third parties take the side of the victor to safeguard their own interest. They feel no shame if the other is impoverished or ailing. Therefore, they create dependent leadership that relies on them rather than their own people. Third parties’ policies aim to get the best out of a country however much suffering that may cause for people of that
nation. Looking at the Oromoo, it is now over a hundred and fifty years since their country is occupied. Even before that, since Oromiyaa is land locked its foreign relations were insignificant. Because Abyssinia had outlets to overseas it had for long years diplomatic and business relations. For instance, during Oromo Gadaa exodus in the 16th century to land and people they left behind earlier, they had to fight their way not only with Habashaa’s kings’ forces alone, but with their allies, then world power the Portuguese. The Habashaa had the advantage of blocking the way for Oromiyaa to be known and in getting benefits from outside. Oromiyaa products and visitors from Oromiyaa had to pass through them. Abyssinia used to get modern implements and firearms from overseas. Oromo fought against fire spitting weapons with swards, spears and wooden spears (assegai) and fell. Even if fallen they have never willingly submitted to aliens.
Now, since Oromo started Pan-Oromo struggle forming the OLF it has been half a century. Though much was achieved by that, they have not yet reached their goal. Oromiyaa has surplus natural resources that it takes to the market. Her people are productive, creative and work liking. Though the third party knew this still their heart is with the Abyssinians. Oromo political consciousness is not like the past. Oromummaa is becoming stronger. Most of them that do not tolerate being treated as subhuman. The rest, it is hoped, will come back when they realize standing with their people’s enemy will be an insult to themselves. Otherwise for the Oromo as far as they remain on the other side, they become the enemy itself. Oromo have understood that they are struggling with an enemy that that see no hope to benefit from peace. Therefore, Oromo have no alternative than tightening their arms. Be it for business or for various strategies, peace and stability are essential. Peace, tranquility and stability are their initial principles and their prayers. Oromo struggle is to bring to the humiliated Oromo, peace, tranquility and honor. If that becomes impossible, it would be naiveite to expect the region to be peaceful. The warring sides have now equal opportunity to use technology. But because colonizers still enjoy resources of the empire and traditional foreign aid, and the nation’s guerilla war is slow to develop it was not able to unseat them fast. Because of that destruction of property and suffering of the people is continuing. That is the inevitable price to be paid for independence of the country and freedom of the people.
On the other hand, there are those crying for fighters laying down their arms to eliminate the suffering. That is narrated by those who do not understand that freedom does not come freely. All this blood is spilt believing that it is better to die than to remain subhuman forever. Before the initial condition that caused the protest is corrected, to leave the people in more fire is unthinkable. Our fathers used to say “One does not leave tail of a leopard once grasped” unless one overcomes it. It is not the nature of human beings to be satisfied when an enemy cuts a bit of one’s own bread and throws it at one. We know that the Abyssinians cannot tilt the balance of the struggle with their own internal energy alone, unless third parties are on its side. For this reason, it becomes essential to carry out a vigorous diplomatic campaign on them. Victory is finally on the side of one who has the truth. One who is determined even if one does not win, can make the region ungovernable. It is not possible to protect one’s interest where there is no peace. For third parties to stay with the oppressor may come with much cost. They even said, “there is not permanent friend but permanent interest”. For this reason, it is possible that they could change their minds. One that pursues benefits does not want failures. Finally, not ones that have weapons of mass destruction but ones that have the truth and determination shall prevail.
Peace and tranquility for the Oromo means peace for the region and the whole of Africa. Oromo want nothing from their neighbors except peace, good relations and cooperation. In Oromiyaa, to work and live except abiding by the law, no other qualification is required. Oromo want to live governed in their own country renewing their democratic tradition. Since democracy is quality of living, equality, freedom and justice, except for dictators, democrats have nothing to worry about. However, to yoke democracy and autocracy together will have no good outcome. For instance, OPDO was molded by TPLF in Tigray for its own purpose to fool the Oromo. Though it was created from afaan Oromoo speaking people, it can never be an Oromo organization. They are bunches of mercenaries, spies and lackeys of Habashaa regime. Now, Oromo nationals which have no guts for protracted war have run away to enemy camp and help design genocide on the Oromo and provide force implementing it. Because Waaqaa created Oromo in large numbers, they are unable to finish them. With Oromo having unwavering Kaayyoo, great numbers, and productivity it will be unthinkable to get peace for the region when Oromiyaa is in turmoil. It is difficult not to doubt that third parties have no hand in letting PP off the hook of international investigation for commitment of genocide. Democracy they love at home have no advantage for their foreign mission. The majority are no longer liked abroad.
The Oromo people have one history, language, tradition and one country, Oromiyaa. It is only recognition of this identity that could take them to a table for peace talks. Oromo know what it means to pass through atrocious conditions
and do not want to go through them once again. Staying apart for so long to click with each other so fast demonstrates that. It is for this that they relatively showed unity more than any other people in the region. They did not yet exhaust showing the potential they have for desire of unity. With struggle, they communicate, they praise or condemn, they express vulgarity or decency in their own language etc. They are no longer forced to use their oppressors’ language for all public utterance. However, to get a federal job one must be proficient in Amharic remains as requirements. That may push the Oromo to independence than to federalism. The Oromo have proved wrong their propaganda that says highlanders and lowlanders do not understand each other’s language. Their language policy in the past, concerning civil service, education, political and social activities, etc. was drawn with demeaning goal of the Oromo in mind. But it failed.
Oromo that are not proud of Oromummaa are only the galtuu and those that think by their bellies. Those that spoil their tomorrow for the sake of today, those that give away their honor to aliens. Now most Oromo have in them Oromummaa, the engine of unity and freedom for Oromo renaissance. This is not recognizing some Oromo group that are organized under different names in a way that makes them competitors with the mainstream liberation movement. They are organized under the rules of the national enemy. It would have been better if they freed their country first and then organized according to their outlook. Otherwise, it will be difficult to stay neutral between Oromiyaa liberation and competing for power in Ethiopian empire. Are they not abandoning “Safuu”? Are they not justifying the crimes like killings and imprisoning innocent Oromo nationals? As competitors how do they take OLA? The empire system has still not changed. How do they see the relations they have with it?
How the people called Amaara were formed is known. That Amharic was a code language for palace guards (12th century) and that those guards came to be known as Amaaraa and developed into an army that overthrew the Zaaguwee rulers was told. It was that that developed into government of Abyssinia and the nafxanyaa system. Many of them may know or not know to which tribe they belonged. Each of them has a share in the tribe they sprouted from. They assimilated some of the nations they occupied not all, accidentally and Amaarized and imposed their language. Thinking people assimilated to them may not forget their roots they changed the name of their country to Ethiopia and the people Ethiopians. And their language also became Amharic. That was affected officially in the 20th century to create Ethiopian nationalism. Had they looked at the nafxanyaa and the assimilated people equally they could have created a united nation despite ethnic differences. But the oppression from the ruling class left them as Gondar, Goojjam, Shawaa etc. which is reflected in Faannoo movement even today. These had never been one voluntarily. Therefore, why not recognize them for what they are and give them a chance to think and unite on their own will. It will not be easy even for each of them to create internal unity.
Those that were deployed as nafxanyaa army if they do not have anywhere to return after decolonization, the country they were born is their country as of right. No one would accept them if they, like some in Amharic speaking group claim that all belong to us, and we deserve to remain at the top. To get peace, the region needs to be restructured. Countries incorporated into Abyssinia in the last century must be freed from their rule. Normally, Oromiyaa should have been liberated in the 60s without any precondition. To solve the confusion, skin color and geographic proximity created, Oromo seem to have accepted to resolve its demands according to the federal constitution’s provision peacefully. Note that they did not participate in deliberation and promulgating it. Each big or small nation, nationality and peoples must recognize for their neighbors the right of national self-determination and equality as human beings. Any difficulty in the process must be solved by dialogue for no one has the right to impose his/her will on the other. All are sovereign in their own territory. If this is accepted there is no point quarreling about. It means the road to siblinghood is cleared. With that relation with third parties can be discussed in a way it gives advantage for all of them and decided in unison. This will give Africa respect.
Nations, nationalities and peoples, if they create a union under any name or opt for independence is their right. Their future relation will be decided through dialogue not violence. Example we set today will open the way to African unity our revolutionary fathers wished. In world experience, great empires that had numerous wise individuals, philosophers and brave and well-armed soldiers rolled down from the top unable to march with the time. The Ethiopian empire built by imperialists has no ability to survive this corporate era. Third parties are expected to cooperate in bringing peace rather than create misunderstandings. To recognize that Oromoo is different in identity from the Abyssinians could bring peace to second and third parties and to the world. If the three respect each other’s interest the world is enough for all. The worry that the way for our products will be blocked and our country could be flooded by refugees etc. can get answer through cooperation. The three inseparables must start thinking as one. 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
July 2024