Oromo people liked peace, freedom and birthright more than anything else. It has been reflecting this through the Gadaa system. This system was where supremacy of the law was respected, where equality of all human being is recognized, where for all relation there is Safuu, ethical standard “red line” not to transgressed, where leaders were elected for limited time, where society was divided into peer groups and all groups had roles in political and social affairs. More than a century ago, aliens with superior force destroyed this system and forced them to lead a wretched and confused life. They destroyed Oromo institutions built over time immemorial and strengthened their own with Oromo resources and labor. That still gives them advantage over the Oromo. Oromo lost Abbaa Bokku, Abbaa Duulaa, Raabaa Doorii and Abbaa Muudaa. Before alien invasion Oromo had one religion now called Waaqeffannaa, led by Abbaa Muudaa. Waaqeffannaa was if not the senior one among monotheist religions until war was opened on it by the colonial masters. We say, awake before pointing fingers to it. Oromo, pioneers of civilization have become disabled because of that. That was band and the people were forced to take other religions. Thus, in religion Oromo are divided into denominations (even in Islam and Christianity). The Ethiopians have their government structure, the army and common Tawaahido Church which majority of them still loyal to it. Waaqeffannaa did not pullout yet from being considered an alien faith. When oppression of all sorts became too much and unbearable they started to rebel.
In the 70s for the first time, they created all Oromo encompassing political organization with political program, the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) and challenged the enemy. It was after that Oromo being Ethiopia started to be told and OLF being divisive propagated. Until then for every one of them oppressing and exploiting the Oromo was an eternal order. Political objective was of the struggle asserted by OLF as “… establishment of the people’s democratic republic of Oromia”. As one born in the period of Pan-Africanism, there was also a proviso in foreign relations policy which supported the creation of Organization of African Union (OAU) and “…It will work to bring about where possible political union with other nations on the basis of equality, respect for mutual interest, and the principle of voluntary association.” (Oromo Liberation Front, Political Program June 1976, Art. VII/9).
One that denied them peace by colonizing was the kingdom of Abyssinia, led by Shawaan Amaaraa. Even if rulers changed hands on it the structure and function of the Abyssinian empire did not change. It still dictates from the usual colonial Head Quarters in Amaaraa language. The Oromoo are demanding from leaders of this establishment through peaceful and armed struggle for the freedom they deprived them. The colonizer denied the Oromo language, Gadaa democracy, individual rights, rights of nation, land and all their resources, freedom and justice. Though recognized in the constitution it only remained on paper. Many forces are trying to distort relations between Oromiyaa and the Ethiopian empire. They do not want to admit that Oromiyaa was the victim of “The Scramble for Africa” for Abyssinian kingdom was the only African that joined them in colonizing African countries. Though they have the same goal as PP they hate its leader Abiy and take him as enemy because he changed the norm of the empire and turned cruel to them. He is probably the only one that rose to power not being properly assimilated to them. Therefore, they must dethrone him and take his place. Unlike them, Oromo have issues only with the empire and its leaders whoever they may be. Rulers that changed hands on the empire had never been kind to the Oromo.
Therefore, we should not see Abiy’s cruelty separately from the empire. Both must be uprooted. All we read about them was that they were above the law, their punishment included summary killing, mutilating, burning alive, allowing animals to devour etc. In cruelty no one was harsher than the other. To interfere in their internal administration and help them change their regime for the Oromo amounts to preparing that which mounts them tomorrow. Some Oromo elites do not know their value. That is why they become lackies of others. Had they known they would have been the ones that gather all others how to surf in these troubled waters despite the enemy poking at their weak joints, ideology, gosaa, class and region. Oromummaa and afaan Oromo are the strongest tool they have for unity. Because PP understands this, it is trying to make Oromo its constituency and wants to present itself with Oromo mask. However, PP and the empire cannot be Oromo or Oromo institutions; from the base they were molded for alien interest for the alien. But they pretend as if all Oromoo are with them. Most of them are riffraff with shallow roots. They do not fit Oromo nature ethically or morally.
It cannot be said Oromo should not participate in any alien forum of dialogue. But Afaan Oromo should be recognized and given on such forum equal opportunity with Amharic or international languages like English must be used by all. In short on that forum there must be no reflection of language or culture of anyone. The condition in which Oromo must be forced to use others language should not arise in any forum. If there is a forum where aliens share with the Oromo unless those whose differences are already known and are sitting for negotiation, sitting for peace should only be with those that accept Oromo identity, and legality of the Oromo question. The OLF is struggling for freedom of the Oromoo and independence of Oromiyaa. It can realize this only if it could empower the Oromo people to freely conduct a referendum for the right of nations for self-determination. The role of OLF during the referendum is to canvas that it chooses for independence. Choosing is the right of the people. OLF, without leaving its objectives must support people’s choice. If the people’s choice is outside independence OLF must accept its present choice gracefully and for the future continue struggling for its objective if necessary.
Freedom fighters must believe that the root cause for their struggle was the breaking of Oromo’s sovereignty by force which resulted in loss of their freedom, independence, land and resources, and their labor and enslavement. It is essential that they must agree and draw a common standard for their struggle. And that will be on what should be considered as Safuu in internal and on relations with enemies and neighboring forces. Only afaan Oromo should be spoken in any encounter with enemy official and any communication without assignment or knowledge of the organizations must be forbidden for any member. With nations, nationalities and people who are in the same hardship and passed through similar hurdles must have favorable relations with each other. It would be advantageous if a way is sought to coordinate their struggle. All relations with the enemy should be based on what benefit it gives the nation. There is a saying “Maal habaasuuf dhama raasuu?” (To get what do they churns whey?). Oromo and the oppressed are making efforts to save lives. All the propaganda and the terror the enemies are conducting is to divert attention from the struggle made for freedom and independence. All may make temporary confusion do not have permanency, have no deep roots. Parties and regimes that were there 50 years ago did not survive except OLF because it was based on deep roots. Those with the truth if they cling to their struggle will inevitably overcome. Tafarii, Darg and Wayyaanee have terrorized humanity but for short time and we have seen their ends were not enviable. These days those anti-people are being forwarded with the intention of counter revolution. How can the Oromo share the same peace table with such unrepenting folks? They are encouraged by hope of some Oromo will defect to their side. With whom can we beseech such Oromo nationals? PP is like mushroom her life is for a short period. If not collected in time it will decay on itself and wither away.
History of this eastern part of Africa until it is written by genuine African historians shall remain fiction. Since the civilization called by Greeks “Ethiopia” was documented, Abyssinia had been forming it as it suits it. Identity of Axum which probably spoke Geez evolved to that of Zagwe and Solomonians being called Habashaa and speaking Amharic is not properly known. We know only, the fiction ruling class created for its own purpose. The role played by Oromo, which was and still is a big people of the region remained suppressed. The cause of their movement which reached its climax in the 16th except for biased writings is not properly understood. Oromoo movement must not be seen separately from movements of Africans in the region. Some Abyssinian clerics are trying to tell that they came from outside Africa in the 16th century. This was designed so that they will not be asked when from where they came. The problem is not ancient history, but that which we are living in now. There is a group that is denying the Oromo rights, resources and country and monopolize it for its own benefit. Though the Oromo have internal and external obstacles they have shown resilience during the past five decades to break and march towards bilisummaa. Until they assure sovereignty, freedom and equality their struggle shall never cease. If this comes to conclusion through dialogue it will be advantageous for all. As Africans there are many causes awaiting us to shade our blood for.
There are achievements which the Oromo registered by their struggle. Guarding those and filling up whatever fails short with the remaining struggle, and there will be nothing to give up from whatever is so far achieved. To deprive of rights Oromo got on land, culture, identity, language and, territory etc. PP had never stopped sabotaging since its creation. But it failed because the Oromo question is based on truth. Their struggle for the right of nation for self-determination shall continue until independence. It is hoped that freedom fighters shall maintain without wavering and with more determination, clarity of objective, commitment for cause, strong airtight organization, true comradery, existence of transparency between comrades. Could it be shortcoming of this that infiltrators come in and get out as they liked? All that has grievances choose running to the enemy that had many grudges instead of running to the mountains. There is no precedence that such runaways are treated well by the enemy. Some elites not believing in Oromummaa or themselves chose the shameful thing of running after the alien to collect crumbs. The aliens had neither power nor wealth; by throwing them morsels from their own resources, it is turning them against their own people. Because of them Oromo unity is jeopardized and could not get out of the snare it was put in so far. They are Oromo that defend against the enemy. The enemy also deploys Oromo to break Oromo. No enemy had ever won the Oromo without deploying Oromoo turncoats (bandaa). Abyssinian empire that calls itself Oromoo and murders Oromo what would it tell its family and gosa? 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 2025