Role Exchange: Amara Elites for Independent Amaria and Oromo Elites for Integrated Ethiopia?
I tried to encourage Oromo elites to struggle for politics of the majority, i.e owning and transforming Ethiopia to Oropia (Oromummà led country) rather than fighting as a minor nationality for only an independent Oromia. Now, it seems that there is almost a consensus among Oromo nationalists to democratize the existing federation. Oromos trying to get their legitimate share (60%) in all life aspects of the federation is interprated by the hitherto dominating Amara elites as if the Oromo are also dominating in turn, what they call teregninet. Actually, the Oromo occupying up to 60% of all business companies and federal institutions is a legitimate share, not inappropriate domination. At the moment, the Oromo occupy about only 16% of all posts, which must be changed slowly but surely towards the 60% share. By observing this trend, Amara elites representing about 10% of the population are contemplating about an independent Amaraland (Amaria) from such Ethiopia of genuinly shared life and shared rule. I used to anticipate the coming of such role exchange of Amara and Oromo elites. Nice to observe that it is becoming a reality in this time of our era.
The OLF hinted in its recent press release that Oromia should be free in a sense of self-determination from Ethiopia. At this present time of Amaranet/Amarigna domination, Ethiopia is de facto Amapia (Amaranet dominated country), thus the struggle for an independence of Oromia from this oppressiv and imperial Amapia makes sense. But, the status quo is changing slowly, but surely. Ethiopia in the form of Amapia is in dying process. On the contrary, Ethiopia in the sense of Oropia is gradually growing. Dr. Abiy’s OPP is also well infiltrated by genuine Oromo nationalists with a good mindset of bilisummà/freedom. In the near future, Finfinné palace will be taken over by such nationalists and Afàn Oromo shall be promoted to primary working language of the federation, replacing Amarigna. Actually, the OLF need to support such transformation of Ethiopia from the present Amapia to the stable future Oropia. Then, it is up to Amaria to strive for independence from Oropia, no more independence of Oromia from Amapia. Actually, this will be the future reality that Amara elites may start to fight for an independence of Amaria from Oropia.
Now, Amara elites are even against ethnic federalism as long as Amarigna is the primary or the only working language of the federation, because of the fact that Amarization of other nations is still going on. Other nations are yet considered as raw material being processed into the finished good called Amaranet. It is in such process that nations like Agaw and Oromo were/are converted to Amara. Thus, the Agaw of Gojjam and Gondar as well as the Oromo of Wallo, Gojjam, Gondar and Shoa lost their true identity in order to become Amara. Now, by reviving the priori identity of these converted Agaw and Oromo, the number of those who consider themselves as Amara are not more than 10%. The Agaw are increased to about 20%, the Oromo being at least 40%. When Oromiffà legitimately will be the primary working language of the federation, the Amara need ethnic federation most to protect themselves from the further re-Agawization and re-Oromization movement. As far as the Oromo are considered, Afàn Oromo being the primary working language of the federation, there will be no disadevantage from both possible con-federation (ethnic federalism) and geo-federation of Ethiopia, i.e defacto Oropia.
After the victory over TPLF, Amara elites and the PAE (pro- Amaranet elites) from other nations stoarted to consider it as defeat of the present constitution and federation. They started their bravado and are trying to see Oromo national movement as their next target. They even started to brag: “we kicked out Tegaru elites and getting rid of Oromo elites is easier job”. I just want to suggest, let’s push Dr Abiy to dismantle both the constitution and federation, but after demoting Amarigna to local language of only Amara region and promoting Oromiffà to the primary language of the federation. In such case, all the military, parlament, security and other federal institutions will use Oromiffà instead of Amarigna. Do Amara elites and the PAE agree? Surely, they will start to cry foul! They denounce both the constitution and the federation as long as Amaranet/Amarigna is dominating. But, surely in the future democratic and rainbow Ethiopia, the importance of the languages will be based on their size. Thus, Oromiffà shall have primary position.
But, promoting the five languages (Oromiffà, Amarigna, Af Somàl, Tigrigna Afar af) and if possible adding more languages is pragmatic solution for the ongoing dispute regarding the language conflict in Ethiopia. The time of Amarigna dominance must come to end. These five languages can help not only to keep Ethiopian unity, but also to accelerate integration of the Horn. This is fact on the ground, which all of us should swallow. No turn back to Amarigna language imperialism, the freedom train is moving on. Ethiopia will either be transformed to de facto Oropia of Dr. Abiy through democratization process, or it will disintegrate and give birth to Oropia of Ob. Galàsa. The choice will be made by all stakeholder nations and nationalities in the country. The Oromo should opt for Oropia (similar to gross salary) and if others want to leave us, at end of the day we will have our Oromia (as net salary).
Habesha elites know this fact that democratizing Ethiopia is tantamount to transforming to Oromia very well and Oromo elites are now starting to understand it. That is why Habesha elites give only lip service to democracy, for they really can see what that means. Some Oromo elites didn’t yet get it; accordingly they vehemently oppose “democratizatzion of the empire”. But, truth is that democratic Ethiopia is de facto Oromia; i.e bigger Oromia than the one planned by the OLF. Since the prompt response I once gave to certain Abyssianist Oromo, who tried to persuade Oromo nationalists so that we accept Ethiopia and Ethiopiawinet (in a sense of Ethiopian nationalism = Abesha nationalism) at cost of Oromia and Oromummà (Oromo nationalism), I recieved several protest and few support letters from Oromo nationals per e-mail. One of the reasons raised by those who oppose the concept of Oropia is that the goal of federalist Oromo, i.e ‘democratic genuine federation of Ethiopia’, can not be same as Oropia I suggested, but “it will be a continuation of the existing Abyssinian empire”.
I personally do believe that Oromia within womb of Ethiopia, as planned by federalists, is only transitional solution on the way towards either an indispensable transformation of Ethiopia to de jure integrative Oropia or natural inevitable birth of an independent Oromia. But yet even the future transitional democratic Ethiopia can be considered as de facto Oropia, if Oromo community from now on start to call it as such, without waiting for permission and recoginition from any sort of authority as well as if we really succeed in making Afàn Oromo a working language of the future true federation. In this essay, I will try to show how using Afàn Oromo can make democratic Ethiopia be de facto Oromia.
It is clear that only Abyssinian elites and few culturally and linguistically Habeshanized elites from other nations are against such Oromia (future accomodative Ethiopia) with genuine ethnic federalism or internal self-determination of nations. This Oromia is actually the best compromise solution for all nations in the region in order to live together – achieving both national autonomy and regional integration. Till recently, the position of Abyssinian elites regarding self-determination made them be not suitable to cooperate with elites of other nations against TPLF regime. Abyssinian elites promote unconditional unitary Ethiopia at cost of self-determination, which they also put as a precondition for possible alliance, especially between Abyssinian democratic forces and Oromian freedom fighters. Some Oromo nationalists tended to accept this precondition, only if Abyssinian elites also may accept one Oromo’s precondition, i.e Afàn Oromo as only working language of the federation, instead of Amarinya. They say: let’s try to persuade Habesha elites to accept Afàn Oromo as working language in a common house, Oropia (accomodative Ethiopia), as a test. Will Abyssinian elites then continue as pro unity and anti-ethnicity, even if Amarinya will be demoted to only a local language of Amara region and if Afàn Oromo will be promoted to the only working language of the federation? I am sure they will not! In case they continue to be pro-unity, also under this situation, as they seem to believe now, let’s then try this new version of democratic Ethiopiawinet = de facto Oromiawinet with only Afaan Oromo, instead of Amarinya.
After observing the imposition of Amarinya at cost of Afàn Oromo in the past more than one century, I just couldn’t help, but think about the main mistake some of the empire leaders from Oromo origin like Ob. Qusee Dinagde & Ob. Gobanà Dàcé, who are adored by Abyssianists as builders of the empire, did commit. Their worst mistake was the acceptance of Amarinya as the only national language of the empire they forged, of course at cost of Afàn Oromo. Being Oromo, if they could have managed to promote Afàn Oromo to national language of the empire, Oromos were not the ones, who should fight for self-determination, but others. The whole of Finfinné’s “high class society” and other “modern” peoples in the empire would have spoken Afàn Oromo as well as the whole diaspora Ethiopians now would have spoken Afàn Oromo, even all would have claimed to be Ethiopian with the content of Oromummà (Oromo nationalistm), but not Habeshanet (Abyssinian nationalism); then, to be an Ethiopian = Oromian in this sense, of course, almost equivalent to be an Oromo, not an Amara as it was till now.
At the present, for Abyssinian elites to come to their sense and comprehend why we did say so, let’s look at the following fact in short. Most Abyssinian elites nowadays think they are pro-Ethiopiawinet and anti-ethnicity and they think that they do have a moral upper-hand over others, who “promote ethnic politics”. For them, to develop another view, let’s demote Amarigna to local language of only Amara region and promote Afàn Oromo to the only federal language. Until now, just based on fact that Amarinya is the only federal language, they used to talk about Ethiopiawinet, which in essence means actually Amaranet (Amara nationalism) for they know how Amaranization was going on. If we exchange the role of the two languages, I am sure Oromo nationals will start to value Ethiopiawinet, which will be equivalent to Oromummà and, of course, they will denounce ethnicity. Then, surely Amara elites will start to defend themselves from the possible “Oromonization” and will denounce Ethiopiawinet with only Afàn Oromo as federal language and they surely will automatically be pro-ethnicity. So, we can see how simple it is to be a moralist without understanding the mechanism behind all what we do believe.
Oromo nationals in this sense just asked Abyssinian elites to accept Afàn Oromo as only federal language for the sake of neutralizing their attempt of maintaining and talking about Ethiopian unity with Amarinya as the only working language of the federation and, Abyssinian elites are making Amaranization process as something normal to be accepted and lived by all nations in the region. Of course, few Abyssinian elites demand the public to decide on the issue: which language should be future federal working language. But, to ask for public decision on the future federal working language, we first need to ask the public what type of sovereignty they want to foster. The future free nations have to either say YES or NO to the possible union. Why doesn’t democracy of Abyssinian elites, which we observed in their rhetoric up to now, include this decision? Some of them accuse the Oromo as if we do have grudge against Minilik. The resentment of Oromo elites against Meles and Minilik is fact, but not only that; unfortunately almost all currently living Abyssinian elites want to perpetuate the same policy of Meles or Minilik with a pretext of Ethiopian unity, thus our opposition was against such modern Melesites and Minilikites.
Furthermore, some Abyssinian elites cry foul about a possible future Oromo hegemony just because of the fact that Oromo elites are demanding Afàn Oromo be one of the future federal languages. Those Oromo elites, who make such demand, are not actually promoters of Oromo hegemony, but just to show Abyssinian elites how the reverse of the effort to dominate Oromos further can be painful to Abyssinian elites, the Oromo elites say: “if Abyssinian elites want Ethiopian unity (one common house), then they should see also what it looks like to be under the theoretical future Oromo domination replacing their own domination”. In general, why do Abyssinian elites talk and preach democracy, whereas at the same time they do exclude the right of the public to decide on its destiny per referendum – national self-determination? If they have to think democratically as they usually claim to do, then they need to know that there is no half-baked democracy.
Some Oromo elites do argue that one of the main conflict factors in the empire is language factor. If Abyssinian elites do disagree with this premise, then let’s try it practically: just demote Amarinya to the only Amara region and promote Afàn Oromo to the only language of the federation. Surely, the Oromo will then accept unconditional unity of Ethiopiawinet and they will denounce “ethnicity”, as well they may tend to reject right of nations to self-determination. Hopefully, Abyssinian elites will then be ready to influence all their relatives to learn Afàn Oromo without any objection. If so, then Oromo elites will be very happy if Abyssinian elitess would not prefer to fight for their national self-determination, but only the struggle for democracy, unity, justice, equality, peace and prosperity. Looking back to history of the empire and trying to judge the status quo, all elites of nations in the empire do have their own interpretation of history. Thus, preferable to such quarell on history is an orientation to the future and ask the question: what options regarding solution for the language conflict do we have if we want to live together in the future Oropian union? Here are five possiblities:
1) Union of free peoplens in Oropia based on self-determination, all nations having their own languages in their respective national areas and using English as a common language
2) Union in a new federal Oropia with Afàn Oromo as the only federal working language
3) Union with five major languages (Afàn Oromo, Amarinya, Af Somàl, Tigrinya and English) as the federal working languages
4) Union with two major languages (Afàn Oromo and Amarigna) as federal languages and
5) Union with Amarigna as the only federal language (similar to the status quo)
When we look at reality on the ground, pro-democracy Abyssinian elites seem to prefer the fourth option. Even such Abyssinian elites started to see the fact that the fifth option is already failed project. Several Oromo elites do suggest first option of free nations as the best solution. But, if Abyssinian elites reject self-determination of nations and persist on having unconditional Ethiopian unity, then let them test the second option so they can understand what it means to be called “ an Ethiopian” in such a condition, which actually means an Oropian, in contrast to the hitherto, where Ethiopian means Amapian (Amarigna dominated). Thus, Ethiopia with Afàn Oromo as a working federal language, despite the possible competition with Amarinya, is the same as de facto Oropia because Oromummà will be the main content of the union. If Abyssinian elites reject the second option, it is then expected from them to have an empathy for Oromo elites, who are rejecting the fifth option, instead of vilifying such Oromo elites as “exclusionists”. Why should Oromo elites be considered as exclusionists for the sake of demanding this role exchange of the two languages, whereas Abyssinian elites are seen as inclusive, eventhough they are propagating the exclusive fifth option? To avoid such language conflict, of course, it is also possible to opt for the third option in order to be more inclusive and integrative.
Now, it is natural for us to ask, why did TPLF promote Amarinya at cost of Afàn Oromo in the last 27 years. The answer is clear: TPLF wants that the conflict between the two big nations continue, so it can rule further easily. The historical conflict between Amaras and the Oromo was highly exploited by TPLF in order to hinder a possible public uprising in unison against their rule. Just because of the language privilage they had, Amara elites are still seen as oppressive by almost all oppressed nations in the empire, including by the Oromo, even though Amaras, were as oppressed and exploited as other nations by the ruling regime for about three decades. The TPLF could have solved this language conflict between Amarinya and Afàn Oromo by making both of them working languages of the federation or limiting both of them to their respective regions and using only English as working language of the federation.
When we do choose certain language for common communication between different autonomous nations, we need to consider its economical expediency and its international usage. Till now, all nations in the empire were obliged to learn Amarinya as national language, because of domination by Abyssinians, who accepted Amarinya as the only federal language and still tend to endorse. Actually, clear is why they do this preference; it is simply because of political and economical advantage they do get. Here is one example to be taken in to consideration: Amara elites usually try to promote unconditional Ethiopian unity just because they know what an advantage they do have as far as Amarinya is the only working language of the empire, i.e melting of all nations in the empire towards being Ethiopian, which is equivalent to an identity change into being Amara. This process of assimilating people behind the mask of Ethiopiawinet was the main intention behind their manic craving for unitary Ethiopian state. Accordingly, they oppose the suggested future genuine “ethnic” federation just for it undermines their language domination and for the melting process will be stopped.
Then, the question to be asked by other nations now is: can pro-democracy Abyssinian forces choose to settle for the alternative of using language of all nations at their respective national areas or should they be compelled to accept this right of nations as an alternative to the conservative Abyssinian elites’ refusal of recognizing such union based on self-determination? I know that TPLF will accept even an alternative – separation of nations – to build their own independent states as soon as they sense a possible lose of power in Tullü Dàlattī palace. To compel Abyssinian forces to accept a union based on national self-determination, we just have to demote Amarinya to be used only in Amara region and promote Afàn Oromo to the only federal language, as I put it above. Through this role exchange between the two languages, they will see that Ethiopiawinet will not be equivalent to Amaranet (as it is now), but it will be same to Oromummà. In such scenario of Oromummà being equivalent to Ethiopiawinet (de facto Oromiawinet), Oromo elites will definitely start to be pro-Ethiopiawinet as well as against ethnicity and then Abyssinian elites will surely begin to defend their identity by opting for self-determination of Abyssinian people, so that they will support ethnicity and reject Ethiopiawinet with the content of Oromummà. In this way, Abyssinian elites can comprehend what it means to struggle for national independence within or without regional union.
The ongoing attempt of Abyssinian elites to make both Afàn Oromo and Amharigna the working federal languages of future union is disadvantageous for other smaller nations in the empire. Abyssinian elites opted to this alternative just to make Amarigna again the working language of all regions including Oromia, the option they don’t have now. As far as the Oromo are concerned, Afàn Oromo being federal working language is not bad, so long Amarinya will not be imposed on Oromia, but Amarinya should be working language of only Amara region and, of course it can be that of the federation besides Afàn Oromo. For other nations in the empire, this may mean to learn four languages, instead of the present only three. But, these nations need to learn only two languages: their own mother tongue and an international language – English. Why should their children be obliged to learn Afaan Oromo and Amarigna and be stressed with such additional languages, whereas Amara children learn only Amarinya and English, being free from such stress. So, my suggestion is that all children from all nations in the future union should have this privilege given to Amara children: learn only their respective national language and English as an international language.
If Abyssinian elites come to their sense and accept the common ground for all nations, i.e the future genuine ethnic federalism, it would have been very easy to forge an effective alliance of Abyssinian democratic forces and Oromo freedom fighters against the dictatorial TPLF regime. Just to clear the confusion produced by the hitherto articles on similar topics, other names used for genuine ethnic federalism are: multi-national federation, new federal democratic country, de jure Ethiopia = de facto Oropia, language-based federalism, internal self-determination, national autonomy with regional union, self rule and shared rule, national self determination with multi-national democracy, unity with liberty, union of autonomous nations, United States of Nations, autonomous nations in federated country, national autonomy in an integrated region (e.g autonomous Oromia in an integrated Ethiopia)… etc. In short, the best instrument to compel Abyssinian elites so they can accept and respect this compromise solution and to make them recognize the right of nations to self-determination, is to demote Amarigna to local language and promote Afaan Oromo to federal language.
Last but not least, such democtratized Ethiopia (de facto Oromia) being a known objective of federalist Oromo nationals like Dr. Abiy, I tend to accept it only as transitional solution for the political arrangement after getting rid of the present Abyssinian empire. This Ethiopia is transition to either de jure, not only de facto, Oropia, in case all future free nations of the empire will agree and accept the name change from Ethiopia to Oropia, or else the birth of an independent Oromia is inevitable. I think an integrative Oropia, where freedom of citizens and nations will be respected, where democracy will be rule of the game, where Afàn Oromo will be primary working language of the union and where Odà, as symbol of Gadà democracy will be central part of future federation’s flag, can be very good alternative solution to the noble cause of an independent Oromia. May Wàqa help us all accept future accomodative Ethiopia (de facto Oropia) as a transitional solution towards either an independent Oromia or an integrative Oropia. No turn back to Derg’s assimilative Ethiopia and TPLF’s apartheid Ethiopia, but we can look forward to realize OLF’s accomodative Ethiopia. I hope Dr. Abiy’s move will be towards realization of such integrative Oropia; i.e accomodative democratic Ethiopia.
Galatôma!
Read more: https://orompia.wordpress.com/2018/11/1 ... y-dr-abiy/