Which of the Three Goals in the Oromo Struggle Should Prevail: Oromia, Orompia, or Oropia?
Since the commencement of the Oromo national liberation struggle, elites have shared the common goal of bilisummà (freedom), but they have advanced three different visions of sovereignty. For example, Ob. Galasà Dilbo preferred an independent Oromia; Ob. Léncô Latà advocated a federal Orompia; and Dr. Haile Fida promoted an integrative Oropia (an Oromummà‑led Ethiopia).
For decades we have debated — and continue to debate — the most effective path to liberation: armed resistance, parliamentary/party opposition, or infiltration of the ruling regime. Personally, I have consistently supported the strategy of working within the regime: Oromo nationalists with an OLF mindset should operate from inside. I believe decisions by Meison in 1977, the OLF in 1992, and General Kamal with his forces in 2006 — to distance themselves from the ruling system rather than struggle from within — cost us dearly.
The Three Goals
Beyond the shared objective of freedom, three primary post‑freedom goals of sovereignty have shaped our movement:
- Independent Oromia — Oromia as a fully independent state (Oromia without Oropia).
- Federal Orompia — Oromia as a federated unit within a restructured state (Oromia within Oropia).
- Integrative Oropia — An Oromummà‑led, integrative Ethiopia where Oromo lead a reformed, inclusive polity (Oropia without Oromia).
I personally advocate for an Integrative Oropia because I believe it offers the greatest benefit to the Oromo people — enabling us to lead a reformed, inclusive Ethiopia rooted in justice and equality.
The Three Foes
Historically the Oromo struggle has faced three main enemies:
- Assimilationist Amhara elites
- Hegemonist Tigrayan elites
- Assimilated Oromo elites with an OPDO mindset
The first two have been largely weakened. Our principal adversary today is the assimilated Oromo elite who, though claiming Oromo identity, serve the interests of the old Amhara‑dominated order. These individuals defend the supremacy of Amharic while relegating Oromic to a secondary role.
Progress and Resistance
Despite resistance from the pro‑Amhara bloc, OLF members active within OPP have made notable advances:
- Promoting Oromic in Finfinné schools
- Introducing Oromic as an additional working language in the Ethiopian Orthodox Church
- Reframing the Victory of Adwa through an Oromo lens
Unsurprisingly, these measures faced backlash from anti‑Oromummà forces — confirming their opposition to our liberation. Now, OLF members inside OPP must go further:
- Make Oromic a primary federal working language
- Place Finfinné under Oromia’s full administration
- Promote Agawigna as the main language of the Amhara region
Struggling on All Fronts
The OLF is active across the three strategic spheres:
- Armed resistance (OLA)
- Opposition politics (OFC)
- Regime participation (OPP)
Both Habesha elites and “hybrids” (by marriage, identity, or assimilation) who oppose the rise of Oromic are losing ground. Attempts by Amhara extremists to undermine the Oromo national movement are paradoxically uniting us around bilisummà and the elevation of Oromic.
I repeat: the most effective strategy for the OLF is to infiltrate and take over OPP. We must replace anti‑Oromummà elements with genuine Oromo nationalists.
The Oromo Body: Understanding Ourselves
Internal division is a grave danger. It is deeply concerning that Dr. Abiy and OPP continue to intimidate and imprison OLF leaders. Abyssinian elites benefit when Oromos fight Oromos — a tactic used repeatedly to weaken our movement.
We must recognize our reality, develop a unified understanding, and act together in pursuit of our national goals. Those who support our liberation are allies; anyone hindering our progress — directly or indirectly — is an opponent.
Prioritizing the Primary Enemy
For now, set aside the “temporarily harmless” foes — the Nafxagna and Woyane forces — and focus on our most immediate threat: the Biltsigina leadership. We have fought many oppressors since the late nineteenth century and paid dearly. From 1992 onward, the TPLF was the principal barrier to Oromo progress. Now Biltsigina has assumed that role, aided by a few Oromo collaborators.
Classify actors in our struggle:
- Main enemy: Biltsigina leadership
- Harmless foes: Anti‑federalist Habesha elites
- Collaborators: Oromo elites loyal to Biltsigina
- Neutrals: Politically inactive Oromo
- Freedom fighters: Oromo in OPP, OFC, and OLF/OLA
Visualize the Oromo nation as a single human body:
- Gangrenous parts (collaborators) must be removed
- Paralyzed parts (neutrals) must be reactivated
- Healthy parts (fighters) must be empowered and coordinated
The Power of Tandem Struggle
To succeed, we must coordinate all active Oromo forces: in OPP (regime), OFC (opposition), and OLA (armed resistance). Like three riders on a tandem bicycle, synchronization is essential. If one leg fails, the whole system falters. Our three branches must pedal together in harmony to reach bilisummaa.
Recommendations for Moving Forward
- Avoid generalizing OPP as the enemy; instead, hold individual criminals accountable.
- Interpret opposition rhetoric carefully — sometimes it reflects political pressure rather than principle — and work to unite opposition parties under OFC.
- End intra‑OLF rivalry; unite the fronts under a single, strong OLF structure.
- Mobilize the politically inactive through education, agitation, and modern media outreach.
- Be precise in identifying collaborators — political purging must avoid harming legitimate activists.
Conclusion
With decisive action, victory is not far. Now is the time for all Oromo nationalists — in OPP, OFC, and OLA — to unite in tandem against the Biltsigina dictatorship.
Let us strive for a political landscape with:
- One ruling liberal‑democratic force: OPP
- One nationalist republican force: ORP (Oromo Republican Party), possibly rooted in OLF and OFC
May Wàqayyo help us pedal this bicycle of freedom in perfect tandem!
Galatôma!
Read more: https://orompia.wordpress.com/2023/03/0 ... -good-job/