Mereja Forum

[OPFist]

Transformation of Ethiopia to Oropia is Inevitable Because of the Certainty that Afàn Oromô Will be Federal Working Language!


It is bitter fact to be swallowed by Oromo foes, that Ethiopia surely will be transformed to Oropia (Oromummà led colourful rainbow state). This is inevitable due to the hard truth that Afàn Oromo being federal working language is tantamount to getting the primary position automatically, replacing Amharigna. The demographic and geographic position of Oromo people in Ethiopia gives the language certainly a very central importance to grow fast and to expand. The past Amara dictators and monarchs new this very well and that is why they hindered this language from being official even in Qebele administration. That is why the current anti-Oromo elites also cry foul whenever they sense that this language is getting certain attention in any form.
Read more: https://fayyisoromia.wordpress.com/2023 ... oromummaa/

[OPFist]

The conflict in Ethiopia is clearly consolidating in to the fighting between two big blocs, who are struggling for domination vs leadership in Finfinne palace. The two camps of elites are the pro-Amaranet elites, who try to preserve the ongoing domination of Amarigna/Amaranet and the pro-Oromummà elites, who push for the promotion of Oromiffà/Oromummà to its demographically and geographically legitimised leadership of the federation. To preserve the domination, Amara elites are using three ways of struggle against Oromummà: explicitly appearing like Amara (e.g Fànnô), being masked as Ethiopian (e.g Ezema) and approaching as Oromo (e.g in OPP). The worst from the three groups are those, who claim to be Oromo, but use everything they have to preserve domination of Amaranet and inhibit the legitimate leadership of Oromummà. That is what the Hybrid leaders in OPP, like Abiy Ahmed and Shimelis Abdisa, are doing. They were smart enough to hijack the 2018 revolution of the Oromo and to crack down the Qérrô movement and its leaders like Lammà Magarsà and Jawar Mohammed.

[OPFist]

No wonder that these three opponents of Oromummà (Fànnô, Ezema and OPP) agreed to be part of the Biltsigina regime for they agree mainly to suppress Oromiffa from being the primary working language of the federation. Actually, they targeted three areas to hinder Oromummà from taking the leadership: Afàn Oromo from being federal language, Finfinne from being part of Oromia and the OLF from being freely active in Ethiopia. Now, every force in Ethiopia marching with Fànnô, Ezema and EPP is the opponent of Oromummaa and of course almost all Amara elites belong here. Genuine Oromo nationalists and all organizations of other nations including Tegaru elites, who struggle for their own national liberation are by default proponents of Oromummà. Their struggle against the domination of Amharanet makes them automatically friends of Oromo struggle. So, there is no surprise that Oromo nationalists supported Tegarus during their war against Biltsigina of Abiy Ahmed and that we see now tendency of Tegaru elites sympathising with promotion of Oromummà, instead of preserving the domination of Aamaranet. It was clear that pro-Amaranet elites during the war wanted to eliminate Tegarunet and Oromummà one by one. But the OLFites in the regime and TPLFits in the rebel came to their sense and reversed the proscess. Now, the pro-Amaranet elites are crying by seeing this natural alliance of Oromo and Tegaru nationalists against the Amaranet system of domination.

[OPFist]

In the near past history of Ethiopia, TPLFites messed up all the sacrifices and victories, which the oppressed Tegaru people got through their bitter struggle against Amara Naftagnas and their cultural domination of Amaranet. Meles Zenawi in particular and all TPLF leaders in general were very greedy, so they quarelled with their best strategical alliance, the OLF in particular and the Oromo in general. The [ deleted ] Amara elites took side of the TPLF in 1992 just to try to destroy the OLF. These same elites changed side in 2020 and allied with the anti-Oromummà elites of Prosperitans led by Abiy in order to persecute the TPLFites and with that of course destroy Tegaru nationalism. By supporting Abiy, the very mischievious Amhara elites are trying to destroy both Oromummaa and Tegarunet, just to maintain the ongoing domination of Amaranet. It is good that the fool TPLF leaders are done, but it is time to learn from past mistakes and to revive the natural strategic alliance of the two national movements of the Oromo and Tegaru. The Oromo in general and Oromo republicans in particular should show solidarity to Tegaru people (of course not to the already dead TPLF). We need to rebuild again an alliance of national liberation struggles of the Oromo and Tegaru against the still ongoing domination of Amaranet, now maintained by Abiy and his Prosperitan Oromo followers.

[OPFist]

Thanks to the betrayal maneuver of Abiy, Oromo nationalists are again at the recieving end of the dictatorial rule in Finfinne palace being dominated by the Neo-naftagnas. Pro-Amaranet Hybrid elites are doing their dirty job of suppressing Oromummà as always. These Hybrid elites being led by Abiy are revering Amaranet and Amharinya instead of respecting Oromummà and Oromiffà. Such mentality is typical of colonized nations. Certain part of oppressed nations always suffer from slave mentality so that they worship culture and language of their oppressors. Hybrid elites in EPP seem to be under influence of this syndrom. That is why they gave away the victory of Oromo people which we got by sacrifice of Qarrés and Qérrôs to the Neo-nagtsgnas. Accordingly, they now enjoy full support of all Naftagnas, especially that of conservative Amhara elites because of their coward action (crackdown) against the genuine Oromo nationalists.

[OPFist]

We like it or not, there is a big ‘elephant in the room,’ which we all tend to evade, but the EPP effectively exploits; i.e. the 30 years long conflict: ‘Oromo elites Vs. Tegaru elites’. This conflict was the main area of fear not to cooperate in a possible revolution against the EPP regime. The Oromos do dream and wish that Tegaru people share their vision, also Tegaru elite want that Oromo elites struggle for freedom of their people from Amharanet domination as well as for independence of Oromia region, to live in the future as a good neighbor of independent Oromia. Both blocs used to express their respective wish, and they do consider as if their respective own wish is the only reality on ground, but EPP knows very well that these two communities are not yet in a position to trust each other. Its cadres exploited this situation to hinder Tsunami of revolution from coming against their bosses in Finfinne palace. But now, the freedom struggle is ging on, yet Tegaru and Oromo elites didn’t come to terms in order to make Ethiopia (Great Oromia) democratic, peaceful and prosperious.

[OPFist]

I personally do see that now is the right and suitable time for action against the EPP dictators in Ethiopiaia. Almost all citizens and nations in Ethiopia are calling for revolution as the best instrument to get rid of the Neo-Naftagna (NN) regime. Of course, that is why EPP does everything under the sky to prevent us from revolting. We know that, as long as the EPP is in power, we all suffer, not only as refugees in Diaspora, but also as slaves at home in Ethiopia. Unfortunately, it seems that the ‘Tegaru vs. Oromo’ face-off is yet to be a hindrance to the freedom movement as well as to the possible transformation in to democracy and prosperity. It seems that the ‘Tegaru vs Oromo’ face-off (both neutralizing each other) is still a very bad opportunity, which the EPP uses to undermine the change and this face-off did not yet get an appropriate solution. The EPP survives and thrives mainly by dividing and polarizing ‘Tegaru vs. Oromo’ as well as by sowing a fear and mistrust between them. We do still hear/read that both camps (Tegaru and Oromo) live under fear and mistrust of each other, so they seem to prefer EPP’s rule or prefer not to allow each other the possibility of taking over power.

[OPFist]

Despite this self-sabotage of the two camps, I think a well coordinated non-violent popular uprising of Oromo people in cooperation with that of other nations in Ethiopia is the best way to get rid of the Neo-naftagna EPP. Actually, Oromo people had nothing to lose, if the expected revolution will come. One thing, beside many, in favor of Oromo liberation movement, is the fact that TPLF left Finfinne palace securing its goal – an independence of Tigrai. That is almost happening now. Of course, together with such move of TPLF, Oromia’s chance to get its independence is high. Because of this reason, both Amhara conservatives and the Western protectors of the system of domination did not want to see the EPP being cornered. They surely knew that cornering EPP is almost tantamount to disintegrating the country. That was why, it is not Oromo people, but firstly EPP itself, secondly the colonial-minded Amhara conservative elites, and thirdly their Western handlers, who fear the coming of inclusive revolution to Ethiopia. Thus, the democratic Tegaru forces pushing for revolution are not as such dangerous for the Oromo liberation movement. Even if not Oromia’s independence per referendum, we can achieve its autonomy through genuine federalism within Ethiopian union, i.e. we can achieve national freedom of Oromo people as result of revolution.

[OPFist]

This is one of reasons that EPP cadres are busy to hinder an inclusive revolution from taking place in Ethiopia by using their manipulation of the fact that peoples of the country are not [deleted], but different, as their instrument of division and polarization. If the scare tactics, which they tried to use, should hinder an inclusive revolution, the only option oppressed people have is an armed struggle, on which we have to concentrate and invest most, even though it is difficult job, given the little support we have from international community. For the revolution possibly not to take place, unfortunately pro-independence fronts and pro-integration forces were mistrusting each other. Both camps wanted to secure direction of the move after freedom from EPP (result after the revolution). The first bloc wants no reversal of the already achieved victory of limited cultural autonomy on the way towards national independence (self-determination), whereas the second bloc wants to be sure that the country stays intact and possibly the process will be reversed back to the unitary state.

[OPFist]

But, why should these people be worried too much about situation after revolution? Is the caution regarding unity of the country by pro-integration forces, different from the scare tactics used by EPP cadres? The cadres go to Oromo forums and tell us the “worse will come; Tegaru will take over, and there will never be the reality of free Oromia, if you push for the revolution;” and then, they go to Tegaru forums and tell them “take care, the worse will come; OLF can take over and it will be end of Ethiopia, if you make a revolution.” It is the fact on the ground that both Oromia and Ethiopia arre taken hostage by EPP. Whenever Oromo force is stronger, EPP threatened with the possibility of dismantling Oromia; and whenever Tegaru force was stronger, it threatened with dismembering the whole country.

[OPFist]

The EPP used the opportunity of such division among the opposition to frighten both camps of freedom fighters. For the revolution to take place, the two camps needed to be bold enough to take risk of losing their ideals after revolution and live with a possible compromise solution. This means, the first bloc should have been ready to lose, for instance the possibility of achieving independent Oromia; and the second camp need to be ready to risk their long-term goal of fostering united country. Otherwise, in short, EPP is lucky, there will never be an inclusive revolution under such condition of division between freedom fighters; and getting rid of EPP through election is, of course, very minimal; that is why armed struggle can be the only option left. In case both the public uprising and the armed struggle against the EPP are not effective, should not we then be ready to be ruled by the the Neonaftagna EPP for one century? Not to allow EPP to rule us for such a long time, we need to know and tackle the methods it uses, specially its scare tactics. In short the scare tactics, which the EPP cadres use are:

– “if revolution happens, Tegaru can take over and subjugate Oromia”
– “if revolution happens, Oromo will be in power and dismember Ethiopia”
– “if revolution happens, EPP army will massacre the civillians and take over power”
– “if revolution happens, there can be a mayhem against the Amharas, like that of Ruanda”
– “if revolution happens, there will be absolute chaos and civil war among different ethnies”

[OPFist]

Are freedom fighters from both blocs (pro-independence and pro-integration) ready to deal with this scare tactics of EPP? Can they agree on middle ground: freedom and referendum (on self-determination of citizens and nations)? Those, who just sing about the unconditional independence of nations, must cool down and accept the public verdict, as well as those, who cry for unconditional unity, also should learn to be moderates and accept public verdict. That means both camps must agree on: first to get freedom from EPP, and then democratically decide for either independence or integration per referendum; i.e. only democratic independence or democratic integration (independence or integration based on public verdict) could be a lasting solution. We like it or not, all peoples in that region are interdependent, be it they decide for the political independence or for the political union. The political will of the peoples in the empire is what matters at the end.

[OPFist]

Unfortunately, there are some blind nationalists in both Tegaru bloc and Oromo camp, who yet couldn’t see common convergent short-term goal of the two big nations, i.e. ‘freedom from dictatorship of EPP.’ Such blind nationalists concentrate only on their divergent long-term goals: independent state (Oromo elites’ goal) vs. integrated country (Tegaru elites’ goal). But, the smart nationalists from both camps are trying to forge an alliance to achieve together their convergent common short-term goal and then to decide on their respective long-term goals through public verdict (using referendum). The blind ones are too far from accepting and respecting free will of the public as a final verdict. That means, in short, blind nationalists preach democracy, which includes referendum, but they are not ready to practice what they preach. We hope that the few smart and genuinely democratic nationalists in both camps, who try to practice what they preach, prevail to cooperate and make EPP’s rule history. We also can call the blind nationalists as dictatorial nationalists. Those who want to achieve either ‘independent Oromia’ or ‘integrated Ethiopia’ per public referendum are democratic nationalists. The others, who just want to achieve their long-term goal without a public verdict, are purely dictators, who can talk about freedom and democracy, but know nothing what freedom and democracy really mean.

[OPFist]

Let’s just try to imagine a very big letter ‘Y’ and try to distinguish four points on the letter (bottom tip, middle junction, left top, and right top). Then, let’s imagine that the bottom tip is the status where both the Tegaru and the Oromo nations are under tyranny of EPP; the middle junction is a point for freedom of both nations from the tyranny; the left top is point of independence; and the right top is point for integration. Then, let’s imagine that this letter ‘Y’ is a figure to illustrate the route of liberation journey for both currently oppressed nations from tyranny, from their common situation, towards their short-term and long-term goals. Can we imagine that these two nations have a possibility to move from bottom tip (point of tyranny) to middle junction (point of freedom) together? This is our common route of journey towards common converging short-term goal. Then will come the two diverging routes towards the two different and diverging long-term goals of the two nations: left top (independence, which is ong-term goal of the Oromo) and right top (integration, long-term goal of Tegaru).

[OPFist]

If we can imagine this route of common journey adequately, it is not hard to comprehend that we need alliance of Tegaru and Oromo (all-inclusive alliance) to move from the status of tyranny under EPP to point of freedom from this system of domination, but not necessarily to move together to the right top (to integration) or not together to the left top (to independence). After achieving freedom from EPP’s fascism together, it is up to the Oromo public to decide, per referendum, which direction to move further: to left top or to the right top. If Oromo majority will choose to move to the right top, then Oromo’s long-term goal will be similar to that of Tegaru. Otherwise, if the Oromo majority will choose to move to left top, no one can hinder the Oromo nation from achieving independence. Just concentrating on the struggle for freedom from EPP’s fascism, I think there are, in general, three main possible ways of struggle leading us to freedom:
– Armed struggle, which was method of choice for the OLF and other Oromo liberation fronts,
– Popular uprising, which was tried in a well coordinated way and
– Electoral struggle, which is the way chosen by OFC and by other Oromo democratic federalists, despite the undemocratic nature of the EPP in particular, and that of the Abyssinian rulers in general.

[OPFist]

From these three ways of struggles for freedom, we have seen that both armed struggle and electoral struggle were not successful. The armed struggle is too slow because of the limited support from the so-called international community; and the electoral struggle failed due to the undemocratic nature of the country and that of its brutal rulers. The option of popular uprising was tried separately by only Oromo students during the years 2001 – 2016, and by the urbanites after the “election” in the year 2005.

[OPFist]

Because of such uncoordinated and uncooperative moves between elites of different nations in the country, specially due to the polarization of Tegaru and Oromo, the fragmented popular uprisings are difficult. But in process, there is alliance of the elites from the two big oppressed nations against fascist EPP, which can lead to a successful inclusive uprising and also which can be quicker means leading us to freedom from EPP’s tyranny. I think combination of the above three ways of struggle, in an optimally calculated and planned manner, is the best method, which can lead us to freedom. That is why EPP cadres do their best to hinder the fire of inclusive revolution from erupting in Ethiopia and, of course, the “smart” Afaan Oromo-speaking EPP messengers are trying to do their job among the Oromo, both in cyberworld and in real Oromo community, just as Tigrinya-speaking ones are doing the same job among the Tegaru community.

[OPFist]

Finally, the revolutionaries in both liberation camps (pro-independence and the pro-integration) seriously should want an inclusive revolution to happen against the brutal EPP regime. Their evading, shelving or undermining of ‘elephant in the room’ is not a solution. The elites in both blocs should be realistic and pragmatic to face the main and real problem. None of the two blocs can cheat or outmaneuver the other side; they have to be able to come up with compromise solution. I personally believed that public verdict (popular will of each nation) is the alpha and omega of both freedom and democracy, which almost all sides preach, but very few of them seem to be ready to practice. Especially, elites of the two big nations should learn to prepare themselves for fate of the empire based on such public verdicts per referendum. They must be smart enough to settle for Ethiopian union either based on polity consensus or as the result of a popular referendum; otherwise, they should accept the possible peaceful separation of Tigrai region and Oromia (national independence of both regions as two independent states to live as very good neighbors, just like that of Czech republic and Slovakia. The other alternative for the anti-sovereignty forces is, of course, to sing like president Al-bashir of Sudan: “welcome to a neighboring nation of South Sudan,” unfortunately after the sacrifice of about 2 million Sudan citizens. Now, both Tegaru and Oromo elites opting for Ethnofederation (language based) as prelude to their respective independence is not bad. They only need to settle the issue through either consensus or referendum. May Waaqa help us all understand this fact on the ground, which, of course, is still determining the moves of our common foe (EPP) and that of the friends (both Oromo and Tegaru camps)!