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 Oromic) 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 Amharic-dominated country) to Oropia will accelerate. The most effective instrument for realizing this transformation is the legitimate promotion of Oromic 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.
Read more: https://orompia.wordpress.com/2017/10/0 ... tegration/