The Next Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Dr. Lemma Megersa, Said "Let’s Unite to End Dr. Abiy’s Regime"!
By Fayyis Oromia*
It seems that the process of organizing a genuine and inclusive opposition to Ethiopia’s dictatorial incumbent is slowly but surely taking shape. The return of Dr. Lemma Megersa to the political scene speaks volumes. He is arguably the most probable candidate to lead a post-Abiy transitional government, largely because he enjoys relatively broad trust across the country’s diverse population.
Among the three major national groups—Amhara, Tigrayans, and Oromos—no other figure is likely to gain more widespread acceptance than Dr. Lemma. If these opposition forces are to unite behind a single leader, Dr. Lemma Megersa appears to be the strongest and most acceptable choice. His recent call for unified struggle against Dr. Abiy’s authoritarian regime marks a significant and promising step in Ethiopia’s political evolution.
There’s no question that the dictatorial regime of Biltsigina (Salisawi Derg) is slowly but surely losing its grip on power in Ethiopia. In Tigray, it no longer exercises direct control; in the Amhara region, it is confined mainly to major towns; and in Oromia, it has already lost mass public support. Whether we like it or not, Fànno, TDF, and OLA are gaining significant backing from their respective communities. Biltsigina’s strategy of instigating conflict among these three mass movements is no longer effective.
Fànno leaders have begun to revise their past rhetoric, which mistakenly framed Onegawinet, “Galla migration,” and Oromummà as their primary enemies. They are now increasingly focusing their criticism on the OPDO rather than the Oromo people or our vanguard organization—the OLF. TDF leaders, too, have already received valuable support from the OLA during their two-year war against Biltsigina. Encouragingly, Fànno and TDF are now showing signs of cooperation. These three forces must work together to liberate Ethiopia from the Salisawi Derg and establish democratic control over their regions, a necessary step toward a stable federation based on the free will of all Ethiopian nations.
During the famous student movement of the 1960s, Ethiopian youth united to overthrow the oppressive monarchy of the time—and they succeeded. Unfortunately, we have since endured three successive brutal regimes: the Derg, Woyane, and now Biltsigina. All three were fascistic in nature, each hiding behind one dominant ethnic group while oppressing others to maintain power. The Derg was dominated by Amhara elites, Woyane by Tigrayan rulers, and Biltsigina tries to portray itself as an Oromo-led government.
In reality, all three regimes have exploited ethnic sentiments for political ends without delivering true benefits to the people they claim to represent. Despite their divisive tactics, Ethiopian youth from all regions historically stood together against both the Qedamawi Derg and Woyane (Dagimawi Derg), making both relics of the past.
Now, Biltsigina (Salisawi Derg) is attempting to survive by dividing the ATO triangle—Amhara, Tegaru, and Oromo. First, it attacked the Oromo with the support of certain Amhara and Tegaru elites. Then, it turned against the Tegaru, again with support from elements of the Amhara and Oromo elite. Now, the regime is waging war on the Amhara, hoping to sway Tegaru and Oromo elites to its side. The burning question we must ask ourselves is: are we really so blind as to keep falling for these manipulations?
It is time for deep reflection—especially for the Amhara popular forces represented by Fànno, the moderate Tegaru youth of the TDF led by progressive figures, and the OLA, supported by the Oromo Qérrô. Amhara forces should decisively abandon outdated rhetoric demonizing Onegawinet, the so-called “Galla invasion,” and Oromummà. TDF must deepen its cooperation with Amhara forces, as it did with OLA in the past. Genuine Oromo nationalists with an OLF mindset must also distance themselves from the fascist Biltsigina, which hides behind the Oromo identity to stay in power. Only an inclusive struggle led by Fànno, OLA, and TDF can ensure the defeat of this regime and the creation of a democratic, multiethnic Ethiopia.
For too long, Amhara elites have dominated Ethiopian politics by hiding behind the army, the ideology of Ethiopiawinet, and Orthodox Christianity. These tools were used to suppress Ethiopia’s diverse nations—especially to marginalize the Oromo and their identity. One of the OLF’s greatest achievements has been to expose and challenge this structure over the past 50 years. It compelled Amhara elites to openly identify as Amhara, whether in confrontation or cooperation with the Oromo.
Ironically, in their blind opposition to Oromummà, some Amhara elites now see the Ethiopian army as an “Oromo army” and have turned against the very institution they once controlled. What a remarkable shift! The OLF has also reclaimed both Ethiopiawinet and Orthodoxy from the grip of Amhara elites. These concepts are now slowly evolving into multiethnic, multilingual symbols of unity, no longer tied exclusively to Amharanet.
It’s equally powerful to observe how the OLF has influenced the new Oromo-led party (OPP) and helped liberate Dr. Abiy from the grip of neo-Naftagna forces, who tried to manipulate him, just as they did Mengistu Haile Mariam. These Naftagna elements hid behind national institutions—army, religion, and ideology—claiming heroism while subjugating others. Now that these covers are being stripped away, their vulnerability is exposed, and their defeat is increasingly inevitable. This is a victory for the bilisummà (freedom) ideology of the Oromo, spearheaded by the OLF.
According to a myth I find compelling, after the biblical flood, Noah’s lineage passed from Ham to Kush to Melchizedek to Ethiopis—to the Oromo! The Amhara are said to be Solomonized Oromo—descendants of Cushitic peoples like Agaw, Somali, Sidama, and Afar—who began speaking Amharic around 1270. Therefore, all Ethiopians are children of Ethiopis and, in a sense, children of the Oromo. However, Amhara ruling elites, denying this shared heritage, labeled the Oromo as 16th-century immigrants and tried to erase them. This sowed hatred and alienation.
Thanks to the OLF, this narrative has started to change. Ethiopia is becoming more Oromo-philic, and the Oromo are starting to love an Ethiopia that recognizes them and their values. That said, both Amhara and Oromo elites often remain stuck in the past: the former romanticize an Ethiopia that oppressed Oromo, and the latter (rightfully) resent it. The future Ethiopia requires a new vision—one that is Oromo-philic, not Oromo-phobic.
We must distinguish between:
– Ethiopiaphilic Oromummà – The vision of a federated, Ethiopia that unites descendants of Kush, both those who identify as Oromo and those who don’t.
– Oromophilic Ethiopiawinet – A unity-oriented Ethiopianism that accepts Oromia as a legitimate national entity, as seen in some Ezema and Vision Ethiopia members.
– Ethiopiaphobic Oromummà – The ideology of some separatist Oromo nationalists who reject Ethiopian identity entirely.
– Oromophobic Ethiopiawinet – The belief of many Habesha elites that Oromummà and Ethiopiawinet are mutually exclusive.
The first two positions are constructive and can complement each other. The last two are divisive and destructive. Biltsigina has long exploited the last two to sabotage unity among anti-regime forces. The way forward is to strengthen the first two—those that support mutual respect and democratic federalism.
The ultimate solution might be to redefine Ethiopia as the land of Kush. This vision includes five essential points (FODOB score):
F = Freedom from domination
A = Oromic as a federal working language
D = Democracy as the foundation of governance
O = Oropia as the possible new name of the union
B = A Cushitic flag (Black-Red-White) as the national symbol
This land, called Oropia by its indigenous people, was named Abyssinia by the Portuguese, Kush by the Jews, Alhabesh by the Arabs, Punt by the Egyptians, and Ethiopia by the Greeks.
Finally, whether we call our country Ethiopia or Oropia, what truly matters is unity in diversity for shared development and growth. Dr. Lemma appears to possess both the vision and the stamina to lead post-Abiy Ethiopia toward a flourishing democracy. It is now up to all freedom-loving citizens and nations to support, empower, and stand with him in this endeavor. Let us come together to forge a common home—a colorful, multicultural, and multilingual Ethiopia. I also encourage the OLF to support and collaborate with the future Prime Minister of Ethiopia in building an Ethiopiaphilic Oromummà and Oromophilic Ethiopia from the ashes of both the Ethiopiaphobic and Oromophobic past.
Galatôma!
Read more: https://orompia.wordpress.com/2018/06/2 ... f-dr-abiy/
Re: The Next Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Dr. Lemma Megersa, Said "Let’s Unite to End Dr. Abiy’s Regime"!
Sorry no more Oromo. I doubt if an Oromo ever holds prime minster position. Abiy has put a stop to it. In my opinion, the likes of Jowar and Lemma, they are standing up to Abiy not that they care about the people of Ethiopia, but they know once the power is out of Oromo hands, they will never get it back. The best way is forming government by collation.