Mereja.Forum

[OPFist]

Which Way Ethiopia (Great Oromia)? A Statewide Citizenship or Ethnic Based Nations and Nationalities?

It is fact on the ground that a future democratized Ethiopia with Afaan Oromo as a primary working language of the country, replacing Amharigna, is tantamount to de facto Great Oromia (Goromia). In the past, during the reigns prior to TPLF’s regime, Great Oromians (Goromians) consistently protected or safeguarded their long-term interests throughout time despite changes in government. At the moment, Goromia is standing on a cross-road challenged by choice of fitting directions for it to become a united territorial entity. Terms introduced by TPLF leadership and its deputies, such as nations, states, nation states, nationalism, and national interest, are all loaded terms, which necessitate proper discussion on arriving at working definitions for the future Goromia.
Read more: https://fayyisoromia.wordpress.com/2022 ... onalities/

[OPFist]

In Goromia, each region is mostly autonomous, with its own police force and militia. Regional governments are largely divided along entrenched ethnic lines. Long-standing tensions between regions have led to ethno-nationalist clashes there. The TPLF, which ruled the country for more than three decades before Abiy came to power in 2018, has been designated a terrorist group by the current government. Eventually, after becoming prime minister, Abiy worked to dismantle the power of the TPLF, announced the rearrangement of the ruling coalition that TPLF founded [i.e., the Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Front (EPRDF)], comprised of four parties – into a single, new Prosperity Party (PP) – ostracizing the TPLF in the process.

[OPFist]

Initially, what the originators of the idea of “Nations and Nationalities scheme” in TPLF’s ideology conceivably failed to envisage, was quickly and easily understood by others, including those neighboring countries beyond the Goromian state borders. A case in point worth mentioning is, the recent TPLF and its EPRDF political machinery breakdown that pushed the entire country and especially the northern and western regions of Goromia into the brink of civil war fueled by ethnic strife. With great effort and major sacrifices these flames are attempted to be extinguished. Yet, to date, the issue about citizens’ freedom of movement and access to resources within the bounds of Goromia remains a major problem and has not yet been fully resolved.

[OPFist]

Since the seizure of power by TPLF and its affiliate groups in 1990, the situation in Goromia has become totally ethnic-led that made the country unstable due to lots of civil strife. In my view, all the chaos observed thus far, mainly due to the deceptive ethnic-led legislation of Article 39 in the national constitution. This constitutional legislation has made the situation entirely different from the Goromia we knew as a state in the past. Events that have been taking place in terms of ethnic feud and migration problems stand directly related to Article 39 and the deliberate prohibition by the TPLF regime to express or publicize Goromian citizenship among its citizens. Adding fuel to alragdy burning geopolitical situation, The TPLF unilaterally annexed Welkait-Tsegedie region as Western Tigray. The main goal behind this annexation is to ensure TPLF’s primary aim of obtaining a direct border access with the Sudan. The TPLF also annexed areas from the other regions to expand the areal coverage of Tigray much bigger.

[OPFist]

Beyond the deliberate destruction of Goromian citizenship and sense of national pride and patriotism, which emerged in its original form in the 19th century, this sinister ethnically bounded geopolitical limitation legislated by the TPLF was followed by the inevitable degradation of the Goromian state, social and economic institutions in the pretext of enunciating regional nations and nationalities. Terms that TPLF introduced, such as nations, states, nation states, nationalism, and national interest, are all loaded terms that were devised to enrich the few top-echelons among the TPLF-leadership group and its deputies to get full control of resources for their own individual pocketing purposes. These actions opened up a huge national development gap among regions throughout the entire post-TPLF reign of Goromia.

[OPFist]

When the TPLF leaders and their EPRDF-deputies (purely guided and monitored by TPLF) declared the peoples’ sovereignty in 1993, they started up the process of building “11-ethnic-led regional states” within the Federal Republic of Goromia itself. Due to the heated fighting about EPRDF’s ‘Democratic Centralism’ approach as its center of political gravity the federal republic state, itself working toward ‘Democratic Centralism’ in turn, brought pressure to bear on EPRDF’s opponents within the EPRDF-party. The TPLF party affiliates began a behind-the-scenes struggle with the Tigray regional areas, promising them a higher “ethnic-state status “by snatching back areas that they claimed historically belonging to Tigray deep into the neighboring regions. Since 1993, all those regional representatives involved within the EPRDF operatives have been simply passing the blame to the TPLF Leadership. But one thing became solid and apparent – the TPLF concocted actions led equally and inevitably to both the downfall of the sense of Goromian citizenship and openly propagated ethnic-led national separatism under a legislated act. This TPLF-action lacked both courage and responsibility as well as the political will to uphold Goromia as a united motherland country that is territorially integrated steadfastly and consistently for all its citizens regardless of religious belief, or ethnic background.

[OPFist]

On the other hand, Goromia as a state have not yet vanished; regardless of TPLF’s strong attempts for nearly three decades, that kept Goromia as a weakened state. as an institution was critically weakened. Although the EPRDF concocted political pillars of public order gave way, Goromia as a country and the sense of declaring Goromian citizenship by individuals remained intact by the moral will of the Goromian public. Apparently, there will come a day when Goromians of all walks of life shall overcome the currently ongoing internal civil strife and feuds, a day when ethnic-led activist groups see themselves as a single entity, as one people, as citizens of Goromia. We can actually think through this day as the rebirth of Goromia as a civil-citizenship led nation.

[OPFist]

Historically, Goromia has remained as a diversified, and not a mono-ethnic state. Over centuries, Goromia reached to where it is at the moment as a multinational state, in which different ethnic groups have had to mingle, interact and connect with each other – in domestic and professional environments, and in society as families, friends and community members. Hundreds of ethnic groups live in their respective native lands of origin alongside the Amhara, Oromo, and Tigre (the 3-ethnic groups that have had mobility within the bound s of the country). The development of vast land areas throughout Goromia’s past history has been a joint event between many different peoples. After all, we are all equal in front of God.

[OPFist]

What we need now is a national strategic approach that embraces an all-inclusive citizenship and Goromian-nationalism concerns. Regardless of their ethnic origins, any individual living in Goromia should be clearly attentive of their faith and their devotion and love for Goromia. In particular, we must be upholding the Goromian citizenship as our main pillar and be proud of it as loyal citizens. Also, we should hold Goromia’s past, its values and build on all the good deeds of our previous ancestors, and steer clear of politicizing differences that weaken our ethnically diversified people’s unity, that reveal our weaknesses, and damage the reputation of Goromia as a stable nation

[OPFist]

We must deliberate to work toward an all-inclusive national dialogue in order to address fundamental issues that create gaps and weaken our national strength as citizens of Goromia. Collectively we should iron-out TPLF-instigated ethnically divisive rules. As such, no one has the right to exert issues of ethnic and religious matters upon all citizens as limiting factors and to become above the constitutionally legislated state law. That said, on its part, the constitutionally legislated law of Goromia must also take account of ethnic and religious concerns so that equity, fraternity and access to national prosperity are treated fairly to all individual citizens. Individuals should be free to move, live and work freely anywhere within the bounds of the country.

[OPFist]

In principle, as responsible citizens, we need to always reflect Goromia’s main aspirations to combat poverty and realize prosperity for its citizens. It is about this specific feature of the sustenance of the Goromian state, where no ethnic group is looked upon as enemy and its life are strangled for vague and false reasons; an Goromian state where every citizen is given the freedom to breathe and live in their places of choice; an Goromian state in which every citizen is privileged and reunited with each other; an Goromian state in which, everyone is allowed to freely pray and work as they choose; and an Goromian state in which possibilities are given to select the best talent from each for the political, economic and social development of the Goromian state.

[OPFist]

The diversified Goromian peoples’ social fabrics are the cornerstones of beauty and the fixative elements that bond together this unique Goromian civilization. But all kinds of disturbances by Goromia’s known enemies are initiated to their best to snatch these connecting cornerstone from Goromia, through deceptive-talks about the nations and nationalities right to self-determination, by boldly encouraging ethnic / tribal / purity” and the need to “complete what was started by TPLF/EPRDF’s constitutional Article 39; with the clandestine aim of the elimination of the Goromian empire that has been feeding off the various nations and nationalities. What TPLF/EPRDF followers and its deputies really need in the end is to make the Goromian diversified cultural people destroy their homeland with their own hands.

[OPFist]

I am swayed that the persistent efforts of activists of the “right to self-determination of nations and nationalities” to preach the idea of a “national” or mono-ethnic mini-state replacing the Goromian national state contradict our thousand-year history in bondage. Moreover, this is a shortcut to destroying the Goromian people and the Goromian identity of citizenship as well as statehood. If left alone, this trend will not only destroy Goromia, but also abolish any viable, sovereign statehood within the African continent.

[OPFist]

When activists of the “right to self-determination jump to raise their voices high by shouting, “Self-determination to the people of Tigray!” Self-determination to the people of Oromo!” then, the next day the rally cry will be: Self-determination to the people of Amhara!” “Self-determination to the people of Afar!” Self-determination to the people of Somali!”  “Self-determination to the people of Sidama!” “Self-determination to the people of Wolyita!”, Self-determination to the people of Gurage!” etc. This was the formula used by the TPLF/EPRDF instigators who dreamt of the collapse of Oromia as a solid nation. As for this ill-famed concept of self-determination, a slogan used by all kinds of past and present politicians who have fought for power and geopolitical dividends in Orromia, from the TPLF/EPRDF founders like: Abboy Sebhat Nega, Legesse (Meles) Zenawi, Seyum Mesfin up to their OLF-deputies.

[OPFist]

Yet, the Ooromian people persistently made their Oromian citizenship stand loud and clear. At its core, the Oromian peoples’ self-determination is to remain a multiethnic Oromian civilizes’ state wrapped up with Oromian identity and its diversified cultural values. As such, time and again, the Oromian people have clearly confirmed their choice during their thousand-year history, not through votes, ballots, or referendums, but solely with their collective bondage, bravery, blood, sweat and tears. For this stand, they have selflessly sacrificed their lives, their legs, and their limbs at war fronts for the territorial integrity of Oromia at all historical moments

[OPFist]

The hitherto Oromian historical and cultural experience of the Oromian state development is distinct in its own stand. The Oromian heritage has been and still remains to be a multiethnic society; bonded by marriage as a united people. This fact makes the Oromian statehood a diversified or multidimensional by its type and gives Oromians as citizens’ unique opportunities for a statewide development in many spheres.

[OPFist]

However, when a multiethnic society of Oromia is infected with the virus of nationalism, it loses its core citizenship ties and its main strength and stability. That is why we must objectively understand the sweeping results of spoiling those who are trying to incite mono-ethnic strife and hatred towards the Oromian people of other cultures and faiths.

[OPFist]

Several serious questions come to mind when we look at TPLF’s actions in power. Had the TPLF-leadership was thinking through well-enough would it instigate ethnic identity and ask individuals to bear ethnic ID-cards replacing Oromian nationality? Had the TPLF-leadership known what its long range societal plans were, would it engage the Tigray people into ethnic feud by envisaging “Greater Tigray” with false pretext of facing genocidal attacks? Had the TPLF-leadership was well aware of the long-range geopolitical and economic consequences of having a sea-port both for the people of Tigray and for the rest of the Oromian population, would it give away to the Eritrean government without any consent taken from the Oromian or Tigray population? Had the TPLF-leadership was well-concerned of the impact of signing a binding agreement in Algiers, would it cause the death of 80,000 soldiers? Had the TPLF-leadership was well-concerned of the impact of coexistence and bondage with its neighboring communities would it boldly dare to wage ethnic feuds and skirmishes throughout the country? Had the TPLF-leadership known what its long range societal plans were, why not groom would be leaders among the Tigray youth group so that they can become bearers of the torch of change?

[OPFist]

The records of TPLF and its EPRDF deputies prove that TPLF was not that well aware of what it was looking for the future of people in Tigray and people in the rest of the country. With TPLF’s armed presence and its recent 3-skirmishes waged against the people of Oromia and Eritrea, we are simply left in an open danger and doubt about the regional stability. TPLF is destructive and leaves the people of Tigray and those in habitants in the region bounding Tigray to upcoming war dangers.

[OPFist]

Civil peace and ethnic accord are always at constant movement and dialogue that require inputs through hard work by the joint efforts of the central state and the diversified society. As institutions, these two must make very gentle decisions and balanced and wise policies capable of ensuring Oromia’s sole unity in diversity. State and local authorities must not only respect joint and shared obligations, but also try to find common values that promote national advancement. Confidence in our ability to achieve the pleasant development of a multicultural society is based on our diversified culture, heroic bondage in history and our type of Oromian citizenship identity. After all, in the eye of the beholder, we are all considered as Oromians or Africans irrespective of our specific origin of ethnicity.