Mereja Forum

[OPFist]

Our 50 Years Journey With the OLF!

This year we celebrate the 50th birth day of the OLF. The OLF started the liberation struggle at that dark era of the monarchy, when the Oromo and Oromumma were destined to be eliminated. The Oromo being led by bilisumma/freedom mindset of the OLF brought the hitherto three revolutions (in 1974, 1991 and 2018). With that we achieved 25% of our bilisumma during the first revolution, 50% at the second one and 75% through the third change. We are now anticipating the fourth and final break through to attain our 100% freedom from any sort of non-Oromo rule as well as Oromo dictators. Then, we can be in a position to foster genuine democracy under legitimate leadership of Oromumma in the region of Cushites (Ethiopia in particular and Hornafrica in general). For this purpose, genuine Oromo nationalists need to own Finfinne palace, promote Afaan Oromo to primary working language of the federation and further struggle for an integration of the Horn in order to unite the whole Oromo in the region, who are scattered from Meroe of north Sudan to Mombasa of south Kenya. I think the 50 years old adult OLF is now in a position to implement this vision of Horn integration, beyond an already achieved independence of Oromia from the past non-Oromo oppression rule.
Read more: https://fayyisoromia.wordpress.com/2017 ... usive-olf/

[OPFist]

As repeatedly wrote by Oromo journalists and scholars, unity for freedom is a panacea for the hitherto Oromo predicament; nothing otherwise can be seen as an alternative. That is why the main enemies of Oromo liberation movement are targeting unity of Oromo liberators, especially concentrating on unity of those, who are rallying behind the OLF. Since culmination of the century long spontaneous, uncoordinated and sporadic Oromo resistance against colonization into an organized struggle led by the OLF, almost all politically conscious Oromo nationalists did struggle together as supporters, members or sympathizers of this beloved liberation front. It is a known fact that there were pro-independence and pro- union individuals within this organization fighting for freedom of Oromo people. Such inclusion of the two camps (pro-independence of Oromia and pro-union of Ethiopia) within one liberation front is not unique for the OLF. Most liberation fronts, which we do know in history of struggle for freedom of their respective people, have got such an inclusive tendency. They accommodated both pro-independence and pro-union forces, which do have freedom of their respective nation from any sort of domination as a common denominator, till the day of public verdict per referendum.

[OPFist]

Such accommodative and inclusive liberation fronts do know the natural law, which shows that any liberated nation can freely vote on the controversial issue: independence vs. union. Consequently, they do try to avoid any conflict regarding this choice between the two types of national sovereignty until they do achieve freedom of the people they struggle for. I think, the OLF was also formed in this sense; thus the name – Oromo liberation. It seems that the founders gave this designation deliberately, instead of the names like Oromian independence front or Ethiopian union force. In reality, we know that the OLF explicitly and implicitly used to accommodate and include pragmatically two sorts of forces: OFI and OFU; the acronym OFI = ‘Oromo for Freedom and Independence’ (pro-independence nationalists), whereas OFU is ‘Oromo for Freedom and Union’ (pro-union nationalists). These two forces have freedom as their common denominator, hence the inclusive front is known as liberation front. In the fight for freedom from colonial subjugation per bullet, these forces needed to work in unison in order to bring Oromo people to the level of freedom. After achieving liberation, they would advocate and promote their choice and version of Oromian sovereignty (independence or union), which they want to realize through ballot box.

[OPFist]

This was the idea, which helped Oromo nationalists from both independence bloc and union camp to struggle together being organized under the original OLF till some factions started to separate themselves and pursue an exclusive goal of either independence or union. Unfortunately, bashing each other as “enemy of Oromo objective” (pro-independence factions labeling pro-union groups as traitors, and pro-union ones calling pro-independence fighters as reactionaries) is the daily practice we do observe. As far as I am concerned, the rhetoric of exclusiveness we hear from such factions is not advantageous. Actually, both the exclusive pro-independence factions and the exclusive pro-union groups can not replace the imperatively and optimally required accommodative, strong and inclusive Oromo Liberation Front, which was envisioned by founders of the organization. The unfortunate discord between OLF factions and the division we observe is simply enjoyed, promoted and entertained by our foes.

[OPFist]

The polarization of OLF into the purist pro-independence and pro-union factions did serve only the hegemonic mission of oppressive TPLF, which wanted to fragmentize and weaken Oromo liberation movement. Especially, it is easier to attack pro-union forces for they are usually misunderstood, as if they are collaborators, just because of the mere fact that the oppresors also sing about union/unity. But, the union, about which Oromo liberators talk, is diametrically opposite to what Abyssinianists sing. The union envisioned by Oromo liberators will be the result of a democratic public verdict per referendum, while that of Abyssinian elites is a product of force by rejecting right of nations to self-determination. If pro-independence Oromos can see this different connotations of the term ‘union,’ surely, they do stop mischaracterizing pro-union Oromo nationalists. Then, it will be easier to re-unite the OLF and forge the one inclusive of both pro-independence and pro-union. Only a fool liberation front does want to be a purist (exclusively, either pro-independence or pro-union) organization. The smart one is inclusive of both pro-independence and pro-union nationals, as long as both groups struggle for freedom from tyranny. I don’t understand why the OLF should be such unwise and exclusively one group, instead of trying to be inclusive, strong and integrative national liberation movement.

[OPFist]

I personally registered this problem of division, which we do have in the OLF, and tried to promote an accommodative and inclusive position of the original OLF, because of its liberal and open-minded ideology in accepting both independence and union as possible goals by stressing self-determination right of Oromo people to choose from the two types of Oromian sovereignty (vote for either independence or union). Such liberation front, which can accommodate and include both forces of Oromo liberation movement, is still desperately needed in order to fight in unison for freedom, and then bring Oromo people to level of decision per referendum. Unfortunately, even the faction, whom I considered to have such position by emphasizing self-determination, is now becoming an exclusive faction. Its members and supporters seem to have reacted against the step taken by pro-union groups, which decided to work with Habesha “democratic” forces. As a reaction, the hitherto inclusive faction started to stress an exclusive independence and to denounce pro-union groups as traitors of the objective. In reality, Oromo’s goal is inclusive; it is a ‘self-determination, including both independence and union.’ As a principle, any Oromo individual or institution has right to opt for either independence or union at the time when Oromo people at large will exercise our right to self-determination per referendum.

[OPFist]

That means, supporting a union is not wrong in principle, as long as the decision will be left for Oromo public. The problem in Oromo politics is that the terms ‘federation’ and ‘union’ are already contaminated by dirt of the oppressive system of Abyssinianism (the term ‘federation’ is spoiled by misuse from Tigrayan hegemonists, and the word ‘union’ is corrupted by abuse from Amhara assimilationists). Thus, the Oromo and other oppressed nations do perceive both terms as a smokescreen used by the subjugators. It seems that only two other words, i.e. ‘independence’ and ‘Oromia,’ are not infested by Abyssinianists, even though we used to hear and read from certain cadres, who are camouflaging as radical supporters of Oromian independence, just for the sake of cursing, insulting and vilifying pro-union Oromo nationalists; their main aim being to sow a discord between the two blocs of Oromo liberation movement (pro-independence and pro-union factions). Here, what actually matters most is not the position of their gut, but more the direction of their verbal gun.

[OPFist]

Foes of Oromo liberation movement, who are now trying to pour benzine on the conflict, do differ from genuine Oromo nationalists in ‘direction of their gun.’ Our enemies direct their gun (verbal bullet) on Oromo nationalists, who do have different approaches towards Oromo people’s freedom and Oromia’s sovereigntiy, whereas genuine Oromo nationalists, consequently and consciously, try to direct their gun unto the current tormenting enemy – the colonizers now ruling in Finfinne palace. Our foes do shoot continuously Oromo nationalists, who do have different approach, whereas the genuine Oromo nationalists try to tolerate all Oromo political groups, which are having different tactics and strategies towards both freedom and sovereignty. So, let all Oromo nationalists check the direction of our gun. We do have no problem with the different positions of our gut; we can love independence or union as some of us do claim, but just let’s wake up and see how many Oromo nationalists we sometimes mistakenly kill with our verbal bullet. Accordingly, both pro-independence Oromo nationalists and the pro-union ones need to refrain from unnecessary orgy of throwing stones at each other, and they better concentrate on feasible methods we can use to shoot in unison at the main current enemy.

[OPFist]

Even if the two Oromo camps (pro-independence and pro-union) stop quarreling, we yet can ask: is a move of the factions to purely exclusive positions of either independence or union better than having only one accommodative, strong and inclusive OLF? I think these moves of both pro-independence factions and pro-union groups are premature and timing of an argument on the two types of Oromian sovereignty now is wrong. The two competing groups (pro-independence and pro-union) could have stayed together in one accommodative OLF and fought in unison for their common denominator, i.e. for Oromo’s freedom. After achieving this, they will have an opportunity and an option to forge pro-independence and pro-union political parties in order to compete for a public vote so that they respectively can realize independence or union per Oromo public verdict. Therefore, I am personally against the move of OLF factions to an exclusive position of being purist, who are advocating either only independence or only union. I believe that the accommodative, potent and inclusive OLF can liberate Oromo people in a more effective and efficient way than the currently fragmented factions, which now quarrel on the untimely debate regarding independence vs. union, can do. This is a topic, which should have been discussed thoroughly after achieving together Oromo’s freedom. Now, our burning agenda should have been ‘tyranny under Habesha rulers’ vs. ‘liberty of Oromo people.’ If we can concentrate on this timely issue, we can see only two camps fighting each other: camp of the colonizers and that of the liberators. We should notice that the liberators’ bloc includes both pro-independence and pro-union freedom fighters.

[OPFist]

In reality, who are these two blocks in Ethiopia? To my understanding, the ruling regime and other Habesha forces, which are against right of Oromo people to self-determination, i.e. those which are against freedom of Oromo people are in the camp of colonizers. Ezema belongs here, in case it rejects this God-given and Man-made right of nations. All freedom fighters, be it they are pro-independence or pro-union, “legal” opposition at home or “illegal” rebel in Diaspora, those in alliance with Habesha forces or those without such alliance, are part and parcel of the camp of liberators. I do believe that tactical alliances should not be a reason to categorize pro-union forces into the camp of colonizers; accordingly, pro-union Oromo organization at home or in Diaspora, which are now trying to work with Habesha opposition forces against the currently tormenting fascist and racist regime, belong to liberators. I think they do not make any compromise regarding freedom from Habesha dictators, even though they usually have a rhetoric of preferring union to independence.

[OPFist]

Thus, my recommendation to all pro-freedom Oromo nationalists (which includes both pro-independence and pro-union groups) is, in general, if possible, to re-unite the OLF to its original accommodative, well functioning and inclusive vanguard front. To realize this, all individuals and factions (both pro-independence and pro-union), who chose the exclusive way and left the original inclusive front, must try to be back and galvanize the struggle together. If this re-unification is not to be materialized, then let’s at least unify the pro-independence forces under one structural organization of OFI (Oromo for Freedom and Independence), and the pro-union forces in another separate organization of OFU (Oromo for Freedom and Union). Actually, there is no reason why all pro-independence Oromo fronts can’t merge; the same is true for pro-union forces. If we have such united only one pro-independence front and only one pro-union force, the two can try to cooperate and coordinate their move to achieve in unison their common goal: ‘Oromo’s freedom from Habesha rulers.’ Then, of course, will follow their competition to win the hearts and minds of Oromo majority to materialize their respective vision regarding the type of Oromia’s future sovereignty: either independence or union.

[OPFist]

The now existing dynamic momentum in Oromo liberation bloc must be strengthened further; no Habesha regime, be it from Amhara or from Tigrai, is ready for freedom and democracy, as they usually claim. We have to keep in mind that there is no short cut to freedom, except the only way of using bullet; that is why OLA (Oromo Liberation Army), being effectively led by the one accommodative, re-united and inclusive OLF, is an alpha-and-omega of Oromo liberation struggle. Just as Wallo Oromo warriors could assassinate the Amhara warlord, Theodros, at Maqdala; and the Tigrai warlord, Yohannes, at Matamma (Oromo Muslims fought besides the Sudanese against Yohannes to revenge the forceful conversion to Christianity he ordered in Wallo), now the gallant Oromo freedom fighters should get rid of the modern Tigrayan warlord ruling in Finfinnee palace and have to liberate Oromia, be it in a form of ‘Oromia’s independence within African union’ (vision of the pro-independence fronts) or ‘Oromia’s independence within Ethiopian union’ (plan of the pro-union forces). As I repeatedly put in my hitherto articles, these two goals are not contradictory and exclusive to each other till the day of final verdict by Oromo public per referendum, but the aim of pro-union groups can be a very good prelude to an objective of pro-independence factions or vice versa; thus, the two goals are complementary to each other. May Waaqa bless us to get this fact that having an accommodative, re-united and inclusive OLF is more efficient in leading towards integration of the Horn, beyond freedom of Oromia, and may He help us to discard the fiction we nowadays started to believe, i.e. a fallacy of thinking that forging a purist either pro-independence or pro-union OLF is better! I Wish a happy 50th birthday for the beloved OLF!