Mereja Forum

[OPFist]

Better for Amhara and Oromo Nationalists is Again to Cooperate Against the Dictatorial Biltsigina!

The new emerging Amhara nationalism made till now three major mistakes:

1. designating its main enemy as Oromumma, which literally means being against Oromo identity. How can any politician with sound mind be against identity of one people? They could have made the ruling OPDO their main enemy. Even putting OLF as enemy automatically put them in anti-Oromo category for the OLF is the true vanguard of Oromo national interest and supported by all genuine Oromo nationalists in the OLA, OFC and even in OPP.

2. the Amhara nationalists’ grand conference in Washington DC calling the Oromo as Galla, eventhough they know that this G-word for the Oromo is as derogatory as the N-word is for blacks in North America. How can any intellectual mind of the 21st century make such grave mistake? With such move, Amhara nationalists declared war on the Oromo, not on the oppressive regime of the OPDO.

3. their unability to recognize the territorial region of the Oromo, especially Finfinne. Such claiming of Finfinne and other parts of Oromia can cost them even the existing Amhara region. It is very easy to give back parts of Gojjam, Gondar, Awi, Lasta, Qimant and Wag to Agaw people as well as bring back part of Gojjam, Wallo and Shoa to Oromia.
Read more: https://fayyisoromia.wordpress.com/2023 ... a-eprdf-2/

[Tog Wajale E.R.]

* ብስ°ብስ፥ሸታ°ታም፥ግማ°ታም፥ችጋራም * !!
* እስካሁን፥የት፥ነበርክ፥ኣሁን፥ነው፥የ'ነቓሄው * !!
* ገና፥መቼ፥ውጤቱን፥አየሄው * !!
* ዋጋህን፥በ'ጀግናው፥አማራ፥ፋኖ፥ኮማንዶ፥ታገኘዋለህ *!!
* እበት፥ዕድፋም፥ብስ°ብስ፥ጴንጤ * !!

[OPFist]

I think, better is for the Amhara nationalists to stop such confrontation with the Oromo and cooperate with Oromo nationalists in order to get rid of the dictatorial Biltsigina regime and foster a democratic country, in which all nations (Oromo, Amhara and Others) can live peacefully in equality respecting each other’s national area. Fact on the ground is that the dictatorial Biltsigina regime escalates and uses such horizontal conflict between Amhara and Oromo nationalists in order to prolong its brutal rule. Any sound minded politician, who wants to get rid of the existing dictatorial regime should not fall in such trap of the encumbent, who wants to extend its power using the old method of devide and rule.

[OPFist]

Now, it is becoming clear that PM Abiy’s EPP already “won” the past “election”. The two major Oromo republican parties (OFC and OLF), which are supported by the Oromo majority, already boycoated the election. Thus, Oromo people shall continue our struggle for freedom from the dictatorial regime of EPP by using other means (armed struggle and public uprising). Amhara nationalists like those in Abin and Baldras are already labelled by Biltsiginna caders as “radical Naftegna forces”, so it is already programmed that they will be attacked. In short, there was no democratic free and fair election in both Amhara and Oromia regional states. PM Abiy’s EPP is determined to rule further by dividing and polarizing Amhara and Oromo just like the Woyane of Meles Zenawi did. That is why they started to play the game of Amhara Biltsiginna vs Oromo Biltsiginna as well as to use the rhetoric of Amhara Tsinfegna (to label Abin and Baldras) vs Oromo Tsinfegna (to label OFC and OLF). Now, the golden question is: can Amhara nationalists and Oromo republicans come together and cooperate in order to mobilize their constituencies for common revolution against Biltsigina as they die against Woyane? At present, when we observe the ongoing polarization, it seems impossible, but for the future it is mandatory, if we really want to forge freedom and democracy in Ethiopia. I personally would like to recommend the necessary cooperation of the two big nations (Amhara/Agaw and the Oromo). Basically, the two brotherly nations are interrelated to live together in common country of freedom and democracy. The majority of Amharas have Agaw back ground and the rest are from Oromo origin.

[OPFist]

Some years ago, the well-known historian Prof. Laphiso Delebo disclosed the presence of 23 million Agaw in Ethiopia. That means, Agaw people are the second biggest nation, next to the Oromo (most of the Agaws nowadays being Amharinya-speakers and Tigirinya-speakers). If this figure is true, where are they living now? In Axum, Adwa, Tembien, Abergele, Welqayit, Tsegede, Enderta, Adigrat, Semien, Quara, Metema, Lasta, Wag, Awi,…. etc? In general, are they not owners of most areas of Tigrai, north Gondar, part of Gojjam and the whole Lasta?

[OPFist]

Still there is a very troubling question in minds of many people from Ethiopia, which didn’t get adequate answer: why was it easy for Woyane to rule over Ethiopians? Why can it be easier for Biltsigina again to do the same? I think, it is mainly because of the misguided elites of the two big nations – the Oromo and Amhara. For about 27 years, Woyane managed to corner both Amharinya-speaking Agaw (the Amhara), who are majority in the so-called multinational organizations, and Oromo elites, most of whom are the proponents of nations’ right to self-determination, because of their struggle for unconditional integration of Ethiopia and unconditional independence of Oromia, respectively. Woyane could reserve the ideological middle ground, i.e. union of free peoples or ethnic federalism, as its own position, and accused Amhara elites as centralists and Oromo nationalists as separatists. I did appreciate the position of visionary leaders from these two big nations, who repeatedly tried to foster an alliance against Woyane; especially in 2006 they tried to take necessary step of forming AFD to tackle Woyan’s tactic of divide and rule. The historical face-off between Habeshanized Cushites (mostly Agaw) and non-Habeshanized Cushites (mainly Oromo) was a unique historical advantage for Woyane to perpetuate its rule. That is why the dialogue between Amhara forces and Oromo fronts was a good start, even though it was described by Woyane leaders as marriage between fire and straw (isat ina chid). Unfortunately, the forged alliances didn’t last long, and elites of these two big nations are not yet in a position to cooperate optimally. It is really pity that these elites still live in a conflict against each other. The effect of their inability to solve the conflict is, of course, subjugation of all nations in Ethiopia under the currently ruling Biltsiginna.

[OPFist]

Disregarding the past criminal ruling class in Ethiopia, actually both Amhara and Oromo peoples were victims of European colonizers. The main conflict and imbalance of power between Habeshanized Cushites and non-Habeshanized ones started at the end of 19th century, at which time Europeans had their program of Scramble for Africa. It was said that French colonizers used to move horizontal between Dakar and Djibouti, whereas British colonizers’ move was vertical between Cape Town and Cairo. The two forces were about to confront each other in the Horn of Africa. To avoid such confrontation, the colonizers had to do their usual manipulation in Africa: choose one ethnic group as “superior,” and use it to suppress others which they consider as “inferior.” They told Habeshanized Cushites that they were “culturally superiors and they must civilize the inferior animist” Oromo and other nations. They provided weapons and helped Habeshanized Cushites by giving them military advice; thus, they controlled indirectly the area without confronting each other. With such manipulation, both the Amhara and Oromo nations became victims. Even though rulers of the country were servants of European colonizers, both the Amhara and Oromo peoples always lacked freedom since then.

[OPFist]

Recently, Biltsiginna gangs are neo-servants of Western neo-colonizers, who are instrumentalized to suppress the Oromo, Amharinya-speaking Agaw and other oppressed nations. During the Woyane’s era, for they were in almost the same situation, there was nothing which could hinder alliance of Amhara democratic forces and Oromo liberation fronts to fight in unison for our freedom, but still there are practical problems, which have to be addressed. The elites from both sides yet need to learn how to tone down their respective striving for mere “unconditional integration” and mere “unconditional independence.” Amhara forces pushing for unconditional integration makes the Oromo to be sceptical for we know what Amhara elites want to achieve with this pretext. At the same time, an attempt of some Oromo elites to achieve independence of Oromia – without giving any chance for union and without valueing its benefit – makes Amhara forces to panic for they fear a sort of discrimination in the future free Oromia. Such move of both camps is counter-productive in the struggle for freedom. Biltsiginna is manipulating this difference between elites of the two big nations in order to create more discord and take advantage of their conflict. To deal with such mischief of Biltsigina, very important for elites of the two nations is to concentrate on common agenda: freedom and democracy. If both sides come to their sense and rally behind these two ideals, free Oromo state and free Amhara state in Ethiopian union as a compromise solution can be fulfilled. This is possible if all nations in the country continue to be free from tyranny, killing, and looting under Biltsiginna rule and in case they decide to foster union. Above all, victims from the two big nations need to wake up and say in unison – NO to any oppression!

[OPFist]

For durable alliance of the two forces against Biltsiginna, by default or by design, to be realized, I do endorse common goal – union of free peoples as result of self-determination exercised by each nation. Till now, it was very difficult to get such common purpose, hence unity of purpose was impossible. Oromo elites argue that the Oromo must get first our national independence by any means, and then build union based on free will. Some Amhara forces argue that “the so called Habesha are simply the converted and assimilated Cushites, who are speaking Amharinya and Tigrinya; so the Oromo don’t have to separate from their own people, but should bring these Habeshanized Cushites back to their lost root, and, of course, then have a leading role in politics of the country.” The mistrust between Amhara and Oromo elites is a God-given opportunity that the Biltsiginna enjoys to rule over the country as long as it can. Unless the elites of these two big nations come to terms and cooperate, all nations in the country have to settle for the dictatorial rule of Biltsiginna, not only for few years, but possibly for many decades. For the necessary cooperation, union of free peoples as a result of their respective self-determination and even union, including others in the Horn (based on free will), can be taken as noble cause for which we all can fight together. Not accepting this model means unconditional separation of independent nations as an alternative.

[OPFist]

Till now, certain steps have been taken by Oromo elites to forge common ground with Amhara forces just to discredit Biltsiginna in Ethiopian political history. The short sighted Biltsigina leaders, who were good at winning battles, but could never win war, thought that they can control Oromo struggle. Actually the oppressive actions of Biltsiginna boosted the struggle, for the liberation movement got even more Oromo support. Further interesting is the fact that Oromo elites in a long run could take away the card, which the Biltsiginna needed for further existence. They did this through two very important steps: 1. in 1992 they denied Woyane a sort of legitimacy it desperately needed in Oromia; thus Woyane became eternal enemy of Oromo people; Woyane could have made the OLF its partner and would have enjoyed support of all Oromo, but it formed OPDO and made itself alien to the Oromo; 2. in 2006 formation of an alliance with the “multinational” Amhara parties dismissed (at least temporarily) the very important instrument Woyane used to rule over Ethiopians – i.e. antagonizing Amhara forces as “centeralist chauvinists” and Oromo fighters as “narrow separatists.” Unfortunately, being in the polarizing trap of Woyane, these two groups couldn’t persistently struggle in unison against the tyrants. But later, the time came, when this instrument started to die slowly, but surely, and Woyane was under attack from both Amhara and Oromo nations. Take it only 1 year or as long as 10 years, Biltsiginna will pass away like Derg and Woyane. Then, it will be remembered as German Naizi; the future generation will definitely distance itself from Biltsiginna and its constituency will be ashamed of their history just like people of Germany are doing.

[OPFist]

In order to understand what Amhara elites do advocate, let’s look at the difference between unity, empire and union. Putting the difference in short, empire is always established “per force” and union results “per free will.” If Amhara forces are believers of second premise, they, of course, risk that the free will of people can lead to an independence of nations without union, not to their wished unconditional integration. Concerning the difference between unity and union, the first is pre-modern, whereas the second is post-modern. Certain British scholar classified countries in the world in to three: 1- pre-modern chaotic states like the artificial constructs/countries of Africa; 2- modern nation-states like some mono-national-states in Asia and Latine America; 3- post-modern union of free peoples like those in the European Union. Amhara elites need to see that African nations, including those in the country, are kept as pre-modern due to the arrangement made by European colonizers, and this situation is now perpetuated by the AU [African Union] dictators. Africans need to leave these artificial nations behind and forge natural nation-states, if we want to be transformed from our present pre-modern position, passing through the stage of modern status to the post-modern condition like an independent Oromia and an independent Amhara state in Ethiopian union – the most beneficial status which the Europeans themselves are enjoying.

[OPFist]

Some Amhara elites, at least theoretically, believe that the destiny of the Oromo should be decided by only Oromo people. The question to be asked is: what will happen if the Oromo decide against unity which the Amhara want and opt to build an independent Oromia without union? Do Amhara elites accept and move on, or will they fight against the decision? They also should have clear position on the type of unity they want to forge: union based on free will, or unity based on forced wish? Those who advocate unity by force have their own argument; especially, it is interesting to hear them trying to instrumentalize the present American politics. They narrate “just as American union was saved by force, we will struggle to save our union.” Can’t they grasp the difference between the two “unions”? America is land of immigrants melted together to accept American identity and speak only English. Do they want all native nationalities in Ethiopia be melted to have such uniformity and speak only Amharinya? Why do they forget that even they are worst victims of such assimilative melting, so they lost their Agaw identity and chose to hide behind the mask of Ethiopiawinet with the content of Habeshawinet. As far as I know, even the most liberal Amhara movements advocate unconditional unity, which is not goal of Oromo nationalists and not the wish of other oppressed peoples. If Amhara elites want unity of purpose with Oromo fighters and get rid of Biltsiginna, I would like to repeat that they accept union based on self-determination of nations as a common denominator, instead of pushing for unconditional unity.

[OPFist]

As I understood till now, Ethiopian politics is kept in balance due to the struggle between the following three blocs: 1- bloc of the hegemonist Woyane force; 2- bloc of the so called unity forces dominated by Amhara elites; 3- camp of all oppressed nations, which do first want to be liberated from the system of domination before fostering union. When Amhara elites talk about alliance against Biltsiginna, do they mean alliance of only political and civic organizations in second bloc, or do they also want to include those in third camp? I think, they already put a precondition for the alliance to be forged: accept unity unconditionally! With this precondition, they seem to exclude those in third camp. If they want to include the third camp in to the alliance against Biltsiginna, they need to change this precondition and try to find common denominator with third camp: nations have to decide on their own destiny based on free will, be it for self-rule within union or self-rule without union. Does their rhetoric about democracy include such demand of peoples to decide on their destiny? I hope, at least the democratic Amhara elites will start to think and act independently from the chauvinist conservatives

[OPFist]

The two positions, i.e. position of Amhara forces (unconditional unity) vs. position of Oromo fronts (union based on free will), should be discussed and debated further. Even when nations give their vote to self-rule within union, yet it is mandatory to decide secondly on which type of federal arrangement. Amhara forces are advocators of geography-based federalism in contrast to ethnic federalism, which is preferred by most freedom fighters. As “democrats,” all of them have to live by accepting the winner per public verdict. But, can they extend this principle of referendum to the argument: self-rule within union vs. self-rule without union? As I heard and read till now, some Amhara elites didn’t even decide on the issue regarding which type of federation to support. Concerning the benefit-cost discussion in cmparing the two types of sovereignty, all stakeholders, of course, can try to convince the public before voting. Regarding Oromo people, both types of federations are not bad, as long as all nations agree to name the union – ‘Oromia’; otherwise, ethnic federation is the minimal acceptable solution. Optimally, Amhara elites can advertise for advantage of integration and Oromo fronts preach about the importance of independence, then live according to public verdict. Alternatively, of course, the compromise and the common ground for both groups can only be national freedom within regional union, which may be supported by both sides. The alliance of both forces together can try to convince the public about importance and benefit of this common goal – union of free peoples.

[OPFist]

Yet, interesting to observe is that some Amhara elites fear “the fact that peoples can be brainwashed and vote against their own interest.” What a concern! It is simply wrong to think that peoples decide against their own interest. If they even mistakenly vote against their own interest like the “Americans elected Mr. Bush,” let it be. That is also part of democracy. During elections, informing the public before coming to decision is good; taking away such possibility of decision making process from people is undemocratic. Why should we call it brainwashing, instead of “convincing”? It is, after all, about influencing people. In America, the evangelicals were convinced and were successful with Mr. Bush and the quasi-socialists were successful with Mr. Obama. Where is brainwashing? It is about convincing the majority; the ones who won hearts and minds of the majority were victors. In free and fair competition, for Amhara forces – which struggle for unity, there is the same chance to that of Oromo fronts (advocators of union). Their freedom of choice must be mutually respected. Regarding the dictatorial unifiers, who advocate unconditional unity without option for public verdict, it should be known that they deny freedom of the Oromo and other nations. For example, when they say “be andinet lay anideraderim” – they send a message: “you either accept this andinet or we will deal with you.” They don’t dare to say, “we advocate for unity and then let the public decide.” Their approach is arrogant, dictatorial and uncompromising. To such people, Oromo fronts also should say: “be netsanet lay anideraderim.” How can the two groups who do say “anideraderim” deal with each other democratically? The only solution for such dictatorial mentality can be bullet, as it has been. Up to now, dictatorial forces won for the last 150 years and they “united us” by force. Oromo nationals call this as colonization, for it is not union based on free will. Some with similar dictatorial ideology, like EPP, now want to continue status quo at gun point. Hopefully, democratic Amhara elites will do the business otherwise.

[OPFist]

I think an alliance of all anti-Biltsiginna forces, by default or by design, is still the best way to come to the position of self-determination for Amhara, the Oromo and other nations as well as to promote democratization and integration of the future union of all peoples in the region (a national freedom within a regional union). The result will be free Biyya Oromo, free Bete Amhara and other nations’ free states within Ethiopian union. But, can the two big nations further cooperate for such compromis solution or should we allow the Biltsiginna to play their card of divide-and-rule again? The win-win solution suggested here is not just fancy, but potential fact, which can be realized. In summary, I would like to say: no empire in history has ever changed through reforms. For democratic Amhara state and Oromia in union of people to be realized, the country’s system of domination must end and an Ethiopian union be forged. Sovereignty of Ethiopians over their country should be promoted; all peoples – big or small – need to have an equal right to national self-determination. It is only if they are free that they can decide on their destiny. At end of the day, even many more nations in the Horn can join the union voluntarily. There should be no nation to decide on fate of others, as Habesha elites (Habeshanized Cushites) do till today. The same is true for all nations in the whole Africa; there is a possibility for United Sate of Africa to be established in a long run based on free will of its entire nations and peoples. Even the Habesha mass, who have never had a say in their lives, will get the opportunity to exercise their own self-determination and elect leaders of their own choice freely. As long as national domination persists, the struggle for liberation will continue. That is why I would like to say the solution for current problem in the whole Ethiopia is cooperation of Amhara pro-democracy forces, Oromo freedom fighters and other nations on common denominator of fostering genuine ethnic federalism in form of Ethiopian union. May Waaqa help, especially, the elites of the two big nations to come to our sense!