Dr. Marara is Right: The Oromo Should Not Die for Ethnic Federation!
By Fayyis Oromia*
Dr. Marara was once a member of Meison, led by Dr. Haile Fida, who envisioned an integrative “Oropia” (an Oromic-led Ethiopia). Dr. Haile’s vision focused on promoting Oromic as the primary working language of the Ethiopian state—transforming the country into a de facto “Oropia” as opposed to other Oromo nationalists who pushed either for an independent Oromia or for ethnic federation.
I remember a time when Dr. Marara did not support either independence or ethnic federalism. Rather, he advocated for the democratization of Ethiopia. In one interview, he stated:
“The Oromo need not die for ethnic federation, because democratizing Ethiopia is in the best interest of this largest nation in the country.”
However, over time, Dr. Marara shifted toward supporting ethnic federalism—likely due to intense pressure from Oromo nationalists, who strongly opposed any steps toward dismantling Oromia. Yet, in reality, he was right from the beginning: ethnic federation serves the political interests of the approximately 10% Amhara population more than it benefits the over 40% Oromo majority.
Read more: https://orompia.wordpress.com/2023/05/2 ... ederation/