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Oromo’s Self-Determination — Including and Up to an Integrative Oropia!

Post by OPFist » 06 Jun 2025, 14:13

Oromo’s Self-Determination — Including and Up to an Integrative Oropia!

By Fayyis Oromia*

It now appears to be a reality on the ground that almost all Oromo nationalists have made a paradigm shift — from the goal of an independent Oromia to an integrative Oropia (an Ethiopia led by Oromummaa) as the main objective. That is why Americans are now more comfortable engaging with genuine Oromo nationalists.

There is little doubt that the current Oromo members of the Prosperity Party in power will eventually be replaced by Oromo republicans from the OLA, OFC, and OLF. Then, the process of transforming Ethiopia from its historical status as Amapia (an Amharanet-dominated country) to Oropia will accelerate. The most effective instrument for realizing this transformation is the legitimate promotion of Afan Oromo as the primary working language of all federal institutions — including the palace, parliament, cabinet, courts, military, and security sector.

When we think and talk about the self-determination of the Oromo, we often demand only one form of sovereignty — i.e., independence. In doing so, we forget or neglect the Oromo’s right to choose integration over independence. I have repeatedly argued that the Oromo question should not be framed solely as one of a marginalized minority on the periphery (pursuing independence), or a minority at the center (seeking only autonomy in a multinational federation). The Oromo are in fact a majority across the country, and thus must promote an Oromo-centered integration of all nationalities living among and around them — while also supporting the right of minority nations to exercise self-determination, whether in the form of autonomy or independence.

In general, we can identify seven types of Oromo politicians: the Gadas, Birmajis, Duulos, Horatas, Michiles, Robales, and the Traitors (Gantüs). There is no question that various Oromo nationalists — pan-nationalists like Baro Tumsa, Ethiopianists like Haile Fida, Referendists like Mararaa Gudina and Daud Ibsa, Federalists like Lencho Lata, and Oromianists like Galasa Dilbo — all fight for the freedom (bilisummaa) of the Oromo. There is no disagreement among them regarding the cause of freedom.

By assigning five of these positions names derived from the five Gadaa parties, we can summarize the political spectrum as follows:
- Pro-Ethiopia Robales aim to transform Amharanet-dominated Ethiopia into Oromummaa-led Ethiopia — i.e., Oropia without Oromia.
- Pro-Referendum-1 Michiles prefer a referendum between a federal union and an integrative Oropia — i.e., Oropia with or without Oromia.
- Pro-Federalist Horatas support self-rule for Oromia within a shared-rule system — i.e., Oromia within Oropia.
- Pro-Referendum-2 Duulos advocate for a referendum between an independent Oromia and a federal union — i.e., Oromia within or without Oropia.
- Pro-Oromia Birmajis want to see an independent Gadaa Republic of Oromia recognized by the UN — i.e., Oromia without Oropia.

Currently, a sixth type of nationalist — the Gadas (pan-nationalists) — is emerging. These individuals embrace and attempt to coordinate all five of the above Oromo political orientations on a shared foundation: freedom from the current system of domination. Baro Tumsa exemplified this form of nationalism. That’s why he focused on the strategic objective of Oromo capturing state power in Finfinne (which is equivalent to achieving freedom) by any means necessary.

These pan-nationalists represent the holistic Oromo agenda — where the struggle for freedom is unified, and the choice of post-freedom sovereignty (integrative Oropia, federal union, or independent Oromia) is to be left to the will of the people through a democratic process.

Unlike the authoritarian Atse-Negus culture of the Habesha, which follows the “my way or the highway” mentality, the Gadaa-based Oromo community embraces a democratic political culture — one that respects all five of the post-freedom positions. All Oromo nationals agree on the core agenda of liberation. Oromo politics is not one-dimensional; it includes five party-political visions after freedom:
- Birmajis support an independent Oromia.
- Duulos support a referendum between independence and federal union.
- Horatas support a federal union.
- Michiles support a referendum between federal union and integrative Oropia.
- Robales promote integrative Oropia.

The Gadas, as the sixth type of nationalist, aim to represent this inclusive and unifying position. Which of the five party visions will ultimately prevail will be decided in a democratic environment after liberation.

The seventh type, unfortunately, are those with a slave mentality, serving Habesha elite interests at the expense of Oromo freedom. These are the Gantüs — the traitors. Until the day of true liberation, the inclusive approach of the Gadas, based on Baro Tumsa’s principle, remains vital:

“We, the Oromo, must capture state power by any means necessary. To do this, we must clandestinely organize all sectors of our society. It is the responsibility of young, educated Oromo like you to disseminate the spirit of Oromo nationalism when you return to your respective communities. We can only change the deplorable condition of our people by being tolerant of one another and reestablishing necessary Oromo national unity. In this way, we can build a strong organization, capture state power, and take actions that facilitate fundamental social transformation.”

Let us hope our G-politicians (Gadaa), B-politicians (Birmaji), D-politicians (Duulo), H-politicians (Horata), M-politicians (Michile), and R-politicians (Robale) will unite to fight against the tormentors — the Prosperity Party regime (Biltsiginna). Naturally, our T-politicians (traitors) will side with the incumbent regime.

The six pro-freedom political groups are essential to Oromo self-determination. Only the Gantüs are anti-self-determination. The Gadas promote a truly inclusive and flexible form of self-determination, one that allows for all possible outcomes: independent Oromia, multinational federation, multi-regional federation, or an integrative Oropia — all to be determined by public referendum in due time. Oromo self-determination should not be limited to independence as the only outcome. It must also include the option of integration, if that is the people’s choice.

For now, may Waaqaa help us act in tokkummaa (unity) for bilisummaa (freedom)!

Galatôma!
Read more: https://orompia.wordpress.com/2017/10/0 ... tegration/