Can Dr. Abiy Be Transformed from an Amapianist to an Oropianist Leader?
By Fayyis Oromia*
There is no question that Dr. Abiy is more of an Ethiopianist leader than an Oromo nationalist. He often speaks of Ethiopia and Ethiopiawinet. However, the unanswered question remains: What kind of Ethiopia and Ethiopiawinet does he refer to? Is it Ethiopia in the sense of Amapia (an Amharanet-dominated Ethiopia), as it has been until now? Or is it Ethiopia in the sense of Oropia (an Oromummà-led Ethiopia), as it must inevitably become in the future?
As long as he is committed to maintaining the status quo of Amharanet/Amharic dominance, his vision of Ethiopia undoubtedly aligns with Amapia, making him an Amapianist. Whether he will change this position remains to be seen. If he is bold, courageous, and strong enough to promote Oromic as the primary working language of the federation, replacing Amharic, he can then be accepted, respected, and recognized as an Oropianist—a leader the Oromo can regard as their own. Whether he can make such a transformation from Amapianist to Oropianist is yet to be seen. May Wàqa guide him on this transformative path.
Dr. Abiy has lost support among the Oromo primarily because of his preference for Amharanet over Oromummà. He is a typical example of Amharanized Oromo elites who revere Amharanet instead of respecting Oromummà. This reflects a form of internalized subjugation or “slave mentality.” For him, the ideal Ethiopia can only be realized by maintaining Amharic as the primary working language of the federation, despite Oromic being equally or more deserving of that status. He takes pride in speaking Amharic, and the idea of using Oromic in federal institutions is unimaginable to him.
Read more: https://orompia.wordpress.com/2023/04/1 ... st-leader/