Jobs Yet to Be Done by the “Oromo in Power”!
According to Jawar Mohammed and many others, the Oromo nation has been in power since 2018. But is this fact or fiction? Amhara extremists claim it is true, using the narrative to portray the current government as an "Oromo regime" and to justify their efforts to remove it and reclaim full control of the Finfinne Palace. On the other hand, Oromo republicans describe Dr. Abiy’s rule as neo-Naftagna and do not trust it. From my perspective, there is currently no direct Habesha rule; instead, power is held by Oromo hybrids—those who are Oromo by birth but culturally or mentally aligned with Amharanet/Amharic rather than with Oromiffa/Oromummaa.
Initially, this regime had triangular support from the three major competing ethnic groups—Amhara, Tigray, and Oromo—but that support has gradually eroded from all sides. Today, as the pro-Amharanet bloc becomes increasingly aggressive in seeking power, these hybrids are attempting to hide among pro-Oromummaa forces. If this shift is genuine, and they return to truly serve the Oromo cause, then they may be considered “Oromo in power.” However, they still have key tasks to complete:
- Promote Afaan Oromo as the primary working language of the federation.
- Place Finfinne under Oromia’s full administrative control.
- Return Wollo to the Oromia region.
- Grant the Agaw nation its own Kilil (regional state) or rename the Amhara region as Agawia.
- Reconcile with the OLA and allow the OLF to participate freely in politics.
- Release all Oromo political prisoners, beginning with OLF leaders.
- Secure and maintain Oromo power in the Finfinne Palace unconditionally, without giving any room for a return of Abyssinian elites.
Until these issues are addressed, and as long as Amharanet and Amharic dominance persist, there is no true Oromo leadership in power—only hybrids, as has often been the case since the 1270 rise of the Solomonic Dynasty.
Seven years ago, when Qeerroo Oromo rose up and ousted the TPLF, we believed the Oromo had achieved liberation. With leaders like Lemma Megersa, we saw promising signs of Oromummaa. However, Dr. Abiy gradually shifted away from this path, receiving overwhelming support from Amhara elites and other pro-Amharanet forces in his crackdown on genuine Oromo nationalists. Leaders like Lemma Megersa were removed from power, and nationalists from the OFC and OLF were imprisoned. Today, once again, Ethiopian prisons are filled with Afaan Oromo speakers, just as they were during the TPLF regime.
In doing so, Dr. Abiy has hindered the achievement of three core Oromo goals:
- Political power in Finfinne Palace: The political victory secured by Oromo nationalists has been handed back to neo-Naftagna elites. Just as Mengistu Hailemariam was used to suppress Oromo aspirations, Dr. Abiy is now being used similarly. Both leaders seem to align more with the Amharanet of their spouses than with the Oromummaa of their roots.
- Afaan Oromo as a federal working language: Rather than promoting linguistic equity, Dr. Abiy has preserved Amharic dominance at the expense of Afaan Oromo. Ethiopia remains an "Amapia" (Amharic-dominated country), marginalizing the Oromo language and identity.
- Economic empowerment: Despite promises of reform, Dr. Abiy continues to favor the historically privileged Naftagna class, elevating them as investors while the Oromo people remain economically marginalized.
Based on these realities, it’s clear that Dr. Abiy is not pro-Oromummaa. Oromo elites—whether for or against Abiy—must now focus on fulfilling these goals, not merely on their stance toward the Prime Minister. The key question is: Are they serving or sabotaging Oromummaa?
A certain Oromo with an Amhara mindset, Ermias Legesse, once remarked that Dr. Abiy has killed part of Oromummaa. Is this accurate? Is he promoting Amharanet in Caffee Araara and Finfinne at the cost of Oromummaa? In other words, is he an Oromo playing for the Amharanet club against the Oromummaa club?
If true, it wouldn't be surprising. Historically, no true Amhara has ruled Ethiopia. Instead, Oromo elites—often Amharized—have governed while promoting Amharanet and suppressing Oromummaa. This affliction continues today, with even some Oromo elites, including Dr. Abiy, infected by the “virus” of Amharanet.
Some Oromo nationalists are quick to condemn other Oromo who cooperate with Abyssinian forces, labeling them collaborators or traitors. Often, these individuals are denied any recognition of their talents. But is this fair? Can we recognize their abilities while criticizing their political choices?
Consider this metaphor: In Germany, two top footballers—Miroslav Klose and Lukas Podolski—were originally from Poland. When Podolski scored a winning goal for Germany against Poland, Polish politicians debated who was responsible for “losing” such talent to another nation. The same logic applies to talented Oromo who serve in Habesha political clubs. Are they traitors or simply individuals who played in the wrong team?
We must distinguish between those who committed crimes against the Oromo and those who were misguided or mentally colonized. While history will judge past actors, we must document and evaluate the actions of present ones. Those who serve Habesha political interests may not all be criminals—they might be mentally enslaved. But deliberate betrayal must be called out.
So what’s the lesson for Oromo moving forward?
-Understand clearly which political club you are playing for.
- Acknowledge that playing in a rival camp does not automatically mean criminality.
- Reflect on why Oromo talents often serve Habesha clubs while few, if any, Habesha serve the Oromo cause.
This imbalance is not accidental—it stems from historical subjugation and psychological programming. Many Oromo, and other nationalities, have internalized Habesha narratives under the misleading label of “Ethiopianism.” But “Ethiopia” is a loaded term. For Amhara elites, it means Amhara hegemony; for TPLF, it meant Tigrean rule. The Oromo have yet to define “Ethiopia” on their own terms.
In conclusion, we should distinguish between three types of Oromo:
- Criminals who have actively harmed the Oromo cause.
- Enslaved minds who served the wrong side out of ignorance or programming.
- Free and conscious Oromos who serve their people with integrity.
Let Oromo historians judge the past, and let today's activists document the present. As we move forward, we must seek to free the enslaved, expose the betrayers, and elevate those who defend Oromummaa.
Galatooma!
Read more: https://orompia.wordpress.com/2023/03/1 ... -in-power/