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OPFist
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The Ruling Oromo Elites Need to Do the Job of Correction, not Domination!

Post by OPFist » 10 Jun 2023, 14:25

The Ruling Oromo Elites Need to Do the Job of Correction, not Domination!

Nowadays, Oromo elites in power are accused as if they replaced Tegaru domination with Oromo domination. Specially Amhara and Gurage elites are entertaining this allegation. They tell that Oromos are taking most position in Finfinne and federal institutions. But, in reality the ruling elites are trying to correct the hitherto injustice with only half heart, just not to lose Oromo support completely. Let’s compare the four major nations, who enjoy about 90% of positions in both federal and Finfinne institutions: Amhara 55%, Oromo 15%, Tegaru 12%, Gurage 8% and others 10%. When we compare this with the population ratio (Amhara 27%, Oromo 35%, Tegaru 6%, Gurage 4% and others 28%), it is clear to see that in Finfinne and federal institutions, Amhara are 2x of their legitimate proportion, Oromo 1/2x, Tegaru 2x, Gurage 2x and others 1/3x. To correct this disproportion, Amara, Tegaru & Gurage workers need to be halfed, Oromo workers should be doubled others tripled. This correction must continue till the Amhara workers will be reduced to 27%, Tegaru to 6% and Gurage (including Silte) to 4% and Oromo workers increase to 35% others to 28%. This is simply implementing Dr. Merera’s merit: “be Ethiopia yalen hizboch be qumetachin iniselef”, i. e let’s all nations in Ethiopia get our share based on our size. Is this domination or correction? Surely, for those who will lose their previlage position, it seems like Oromo domination, but in reality what is to be done is correction. Only when Oromos occupy more than our population proportion (according to 2007 census 35%), then we can accuse the ruling Oromo elites as promoters of Oromo domination.
Read more: https://fayyisoromia.wordpress.com/2019 ... domiation/

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Re: The Ruling Oromo Elites Need to Do the Job of Correction, not Domination!

Post by OPFist » 10 Jun 2023, 14:34

In reality, Oromo liberation movement is for justice and union based on equality. To get rid of the TPLF regime, there was no other way as an alternative to the re-organization of an alliance like the AFD (Alliance for Freedom and Democracy)! As we know, certain liberation fronts are working together as an alliance called PAFD, which includs the OLF, ONLF, SLF, BPLM and GPLM. It is a good restart. Such an alliance is the only way forward. MEDREK and PAFD including the cooperation as well coordination of these two alliances, was the best method to get rid of the TPLF dictatorial regime.

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Re: The Ruling Oromo Elites Need to Do the Job of Correction, not Domination!

Post by OPFist » 10 Jun 2023, 14:40

It is clear that the above liberation movements had no problem in finding a common ground to forge an alliance. They all do believe in the right of nations to self-determination, so they took this as a precondition for fostering the alliance. The problem was when these freedom fighters tried to make an alliance with democratic forces such as AG7, which do want to have an unconditional Ethiopian territorial integrity as a precondition for the alliance. How is it possible to solve this problem? I tried to discuss with some people about this issue in forums and per e-mail. All concerned people believe in the necessity of such an inclusive alliance against the TPLF regime, but they do differ on the precondition, which is required for the alliance. We can classify all of them in to two blocs. One bloc of the PAFD argues that accepting and respecting the right of nations to self-determination must be the precondition for the cooperation whereas the other bloc of ENM (Ethiopian National Movement) insists on the precondition to be territorial integrity. Let’s look at the arguments of the two camps: self-determination and territorial integrity.

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Re: The Ruling Oromo Elites Need to Do the Job of Correction, not Domination!

Post by Tog Wajale E.R. » 10 Jun 2023, 14:41

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Re: The Ruling Oromo Elites Need to Do the Job of Correction, not Domination!

Post by OPFist » 10 Jun 2023, 14:47

1) Those in the camp of territorial integrity like Prof. Messay Kebede insist that territorial integrity is very mandatory for the cooperation and even for future union of free nations we want to forge in the country. Here is how Prof. Messay argues:

“Far from promoting free union, the right to self-determination actually blocks it. It is when union becomes unconditional that it forces peoples to find a form of accommodation that suits them all. Here is an illustrative analogy: if two competing individuals decide to build a house together, their cooperation makes sense if the house becomes their common interest, that is, if both intend to live in the same house. However, if one of the partners is at the same time building another house, whatever partnership they may have becomes so suspicious that it comes to an end. The right to self-determination cannot provide the common goal for a lasting union. Moreover, nobody is inclined to make serious concessions if the outcome is so precarious. It is when we decide to live in the same house, no matter what, that we would be inclined to better the house. While Stalin recognizes the right to secede, Rousseau maintains that a nation means an indivisible unity for only indivisibility creates a common goal. Obviously, a conditional unity is hardly able to produce a serious commitment to the idea of a lasting union.”

“The Stalinist approach has no historical foundation as nations did not emerge as a result of peoples exercising the right to self-determination. The politics of either lumping people together or splitting them apart according as they want or do not want to stay together is too artificial to be anything more than a manipulation of political elites. Instead, modern nations have come into being through inner movements smashing the oppressive structures of conquests and empires. With the exception of overseas colonial empires – whose difficulties to modernize relate to the absence of organized democratic movements in the pre-independence phase – the resolution to build a common house guaranteeing freedom and equality for all is the cornerstone of modern nation, not the right to secession.”

“Those who truly care about democracy and freedom must understand that the refusal of self-determination alone can bring about the changes that they hope. What the refusal means is that we make unity unconditional so that everything else becomes negotiable. But if the union is conditional, the blackmail of secession seriously jeopardizes the exercise of democratic rules. What is more, a union is formed without the equal alienation of rights since one of the partners reserves the right to secede. As Rousseau puts it, the condition of modern democracy is “the total alienation of each associate, together with all his rights, to the whole community; for, in the first place, as each gives himself absolutely, the conditions are the same for all; and, this being so, no one has any interest in making them burdensome to others” (The Social Contract). It is clear that the act by which a people join a political union is also the act by which it ceases to consider itself as a nation. It becomes part of an organic whole and its distinctive characteristics, such as language, religion, customs, etc., become regional expressions of a larger union. How the specificity integrate into the union is negotiable, and various forms of arrangement can ensure their protection. By contrast, union defined as a collection of autonomous nations is a Stalinist aberration and a contradiction in terms.”

” … The best alternative is to renew the commitment to unconditional unity, thereby creating the conditions of a satisfactory solution for all. If the union is abiding, then serious talks can start on how to build the common house. … I recommend the term “ethnic groups,” with the understanding that the Amhara and the Tigreans are no less ethnic groups than the Oromo, the Gurage, the Somali, etc. In so doing, we define Ethiopia as a multicultural nation rather than as a multinational state, a feature that requires a federal arrangement with large autonomy and self-rule. In this way, we avoid the present impasse without, however, sacrificing those rights necessary to realize the full equality of Ethiopia’s ethnic groups.”

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Re: The Ruling Oromo Elites Need to Do the Job of Correction, not Domination!

Post by OPFist » 10 Jun 2023, 15:08

2) Those in camp of self-determination argue that taking territorial integrity as a precondition is dictatorial and doesn’t guarantee a union as long lasting solution and it will be perpetuation of the hitherto unification at gun point. Some points of view in this bloc, which are necessary to be mentioned here are the following:

To achieve durable alliance of the two forces (forces of territorial integrity and self-determination) against TPLF, the two needed to forge one common ground as a common goal. It was good that some liberation fronts gave up their demand for unconditional independence of nations without union and moved to the center of compromise solution, i.e. self-determination. They did expect from other democratic forces, which do struggle for territorial integrity, also to move to this central position. To be recommended as a common goal is: voluntary union of free peoples; for example, free Oromia in an integrated Ethiopia as a result of a self-determination of each nation in the county. Till now, it was very difficult to get a common purpose on which the two forces could agree. Forces of self-determination argue that nations must be free from domination by any means and then build union based on free will. The mistrust between the forces of territorial integrity and forces of self-determination is a God-given opportunity for TPLF, so that its regime is using to rule over the country as long as possible. Unless these two groups come to term and cooperate against TPLF, all nations in the empire had to settle for its brutal rule, not only for few years, but for many decades to come. The two groups should have agreed on common ground. Union of free Amhara, Tigrai, Afar, Oromo region, Ogadenia, Sidama, Gurage, and so on – as a result of their respective self-determination and even a union, including Eritrea, Djibouti, Somaliland, Puntland and Somalia (if they agree based on free will) is the noble cause for which all can fight together. Not accepting this model means unconditional separation of free nations as an alternative.

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Re: The Ruling Oromo Elites Need to Do the Job of Correction, not Domination!

Post by OPFist » 10 Jun 2023, 15:25

In 2006 forces of self-determination formed AFD together with some forces of territorial integrity and with that they took away the very important instrument, which TPLF used to rule over Ethiopians, i.e by designating forces of territorial integrity as “centralist chauvinists” and forces of self-determination as “narrow separatists,” so that they be polarized and fight each other. Since then this instrument is dead and TPLF is under co-operated attack from both forces. The question yet to be answered is, what was the precondition on which AFD was forged or was it fostered without any precondition?

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Re: The Ruling Oromo Elites Need to Do the Job of Correction, not Domination!

Post by OPFist » 10 Jun 2023, 15:47

Furthermore, there is difference between “unity” and “union.” Forces of territorial integrity seem to support the first and forces of self-determination forces tend to accept the second, if it is result of a public verdict. The first is pre-modern, whereas the second is post-modern. In summary, here is the difference between the pre-modern unity and the post-modern union. I don’t remember his name, but certain British scholar classified countries in the world into three:
1- Pre-modern chaotic states like the artificial constructs/countries in Africa, such as present Ethiopia, which the forces of territorial integrity seem to love,
2- Modern nation-states like some mono-national-states in Asia and Latin America, and
3- Post-modern union of free nations like those in European union.

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Re: The Ruling Oromo Elites Need to Do the Job of Correction, not Domination!

Post by OPFist » 10 Jun 2023, 16:19

So, forces of territorial integrity should see that African nations, including those in Ethiopia, are kept as pre-modern due to the arrangement made by European colonizers and this is still being perpetuated further by [African Union] AU-dictators, who are dedicated not to change it. But, Africans need to leave artificial nations like Eritrea, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Djibouti, Somaliland, Somalia and Kenya behind and forge productive natural nation-states like Tigrai, Amhara, Afar, Oromo state, Hausa, Yoruba, Somalia and so on in order to transform ourselves from the present position (pre-modern), passing through stage of modern status like an independent Oromia without a union, further to post-modern situation like an independent Oromo state in a union of neighboring free nations. This last status is most beneficial one, which the Europeans themselves are enjoying now.

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Re: The Ruling Oromo Elites Need to Do the Job of Correction, not Domination!

Post by OPFist » 10 Jun 2023, 16:42

The two positions, i.e. position of territorial integrity Vs. position of self-determination (union based on free will) should have been discussed and debated before attempting to forge cooperation against TPLF. Even when nations give their votes to free nations within a union, then it will be mandatory to decide secondly on which type of federal structure is to be accepted as suitable. Forces of territorial integrity, like those in Medrek, believe that this can be decided by public verdict. Now, the question to be directed to them is: can’t they extend this philosophy they do apply for deciding on which type of federation, also to the argument: free nation-states within union Vs. without union? Doesn’t this require self-determination of nations to decide on which type of sovereignty peoples can have? Can’t they imagine that the public can also decide on this issue per a referendum? Doesn’t their democracy rhetoric include this option? Can’t they accept and live, if certain public decides for freedom without union? Or do they go to forest and fight for the union they want to see?

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Re: The Ruling Oromo Elites Need to Do the Job of Correction, not Domination!

Post by OPFist » 10 Jun 2023, 17:21

Regarding dictatorial “unifiers” who are advocating territorial integrity without option for public verdict, it should be known that they do take away freedom of the concerned public by advocating such a dictatorial position. For example, when they say “we do not negotiate on territorial integrity”, they are sending a message: you people either accept the unity we anticipate or we will deal with you. They don’t say, we advocate for territorial integrity and then let the public decide. Their approach is arrogant, dictatorial and uncompromising! To such people, forces of self-determination also can say: “we do not negotiation on freedom of peoples!”. Now how can two groups who do say “no negotiation” deal with each other democratically? The only solution will be a bullet, as it has been till now. Till now, forces of dictatorial unconditional unity won for the last 150 years and they “united” us by force. Forces of self-determination call this as colonization, for it is not union based on free will. Some people with similar dictatorial ideology (e.g. the TPLF) do now want to continue the status quo at gun point. That is why forces of self-determination dare to say: such forces are not open for the lasting solution, but they are still causes for misery in the Horn region.

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Re: The Ruling Oromo Elites Need to Do the Job of Correction, not Domination!

Post by OPFist » 10 Jun 2023, 17:49

The question yet to be answered is again: do we see any possibility and any common denominator for an eventual cooperation between the above mentioned two blocs? It is good to suggest again that the only common denominator is acceptance of a common strategical goal – i.e a union based on nations’ right to self-determination (vote democracy). Now coming to the call for cooperation, it will be an alliance of the two blocs, which may, at least theoretically, agree on establishing a federal democratic Ethiopia per public verdict to decide firstly on the type of sovereignty: “YES to union” Vs. “NO to union”, and then if the choice is “YES,” secondly to decide on type of federation: Ethiofederation vs Ethnofederation. If possible, they can excercise consensus democracy and agree on compromise solution – federal union of free peoples, otherwise they have to take the risk of vote democracy and be ready for eventual lose of their vision per public decision.

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Re: The Ruling Oromo Elites Need to Do the Job of Correction, not Domination!

Post by OPFist » 10 Jun 2023, 17:56

If rightly exercised, genuine ethnic federalism based on free will is good common ground for both – forces of territorial integrity and forces of self-determination. Therefore, if the camp of territorial integrity gives up its stand of having territorial integrity as a precondition for a possible alliance, the move of two camps to struggle together for freedom and democracy in Ethiopia is very smart. Yet, the two blocs need to build a middle way compromise solution to their apparently irreconcilable goals. I think any alliance similar to AFD – i.e PAFD + ENM is the best way for both self-determination of nations and the democratization as well as integration of the resulting union of nations in Ethiopia (national independence within regional union). The result will be independent nations in an integrated Ethiopia. This is not just a fancy, but a fact which can be realized.

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Re: The Ruling Oromo Elites Need to Do the Job of Correction, not Domination!

Post by OPFist » 10 Jun 2023, 18:00

I am personally against any sort of dictatorial unity and a supporter of a union of free peoples based on free will. Any unity without public verdict will fail, take it only 1 year, about 10 years or as long as 100 years. That is why I do advocate for a lasting solution based on free will of all stakeholders, instead of the temporary unity as a wishy-washy solution. Medrek seems to have chosen unconditional territorial integrity as a precondition, which will surely never persist long for it is not based on self-determination of peoples, but on pre-determination by only few elites. Alliance of PAFD & ENM must be based on a solid ground and take either consensus on federation or democracy of self-determination rather than insisting on dictatorial integrity of the country as the precondition! Last but not least, the issue of self-determination of nations is not only Stalinisitc as Prof. Messay and co. try to discredit it, but also it is part and parcel of the UN charter in this 21st century modern politics! Oromo liberals in power are determined to respect the right of all nations in Ethiopia to self determination and are doing good job to correct the hitherto injustice regarding work proportion of nations in both Finfinne and federal institutions. What is happening now is Oromo correction, not Oromo domination! I can say it is domination only if Oromos take more than 35% of positions in the parlament, government, military, civil service, economy, etc of Ethiopia!

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