Did Dr. Abiy Ahmed Disappoint Amhara Elites Who Wanted to Use Him as They Did Mengistu Hailemariam?
By Fayyis Oromia*
It is refreshing to observe the current tension between Dr. Abiy’s hybrid regime and the Amhara elites of the Habesha camp. As Dr. Lenco Lata once remarked, “When Amhara elites support me, I ask myself: did I do something wrong? Conversely, when they oppose me, I know I am doing the right thing.” When we observe the conflict between the Habesha-Amhara elites and the hybrid Prosperity Party, it appears that Dr. Abiy is attempting to realign himself with the Oromo bloc—perhaps tactically, or out of genuine conviction. He may finally realize that his fate resembles the proverbial dog that eats from two homes but gets devoured by a hyena while wandering between them.
Dr. Abiy’s attempt to satisfy two diametrically opposed camps will surely cost him both power and possibly his life. Initially, he enjoyed the support of both Amhara and Oromo elites, each hoping he would champion their respective causes. Over time, however, he disappointed both groups and lost significant support. He now seems to be favoring the Oromo side, a move that has naturally disillusioned his Amhara supporters. If he is sincere in this shift, he is finally taking a step in the right direction. I would advise him to go further by promoting Afàn Oromô as the primary federal language, replacing Amharic, so institutions such as the palace, parliament, cabinet, courts, military, and security apparatus can begin using Afàn Oromô as soon as possible. Doing so would pave the way for reconciliation with the Oromo, ending the Amhara elites’ attempts to manipulate him as they did Mengistu Hailemariam.
History seems to repeat itself: Amhara elites have long sought an Oromo figure to serve their interests and weaken genuine Oromo nationalism. Menelik (himself Oromo) betrayed Gobana; Haile Selassie persecuted Iyasu; Mengistu executed Haile Fida; and now Abiy has imprisoned Jawar Mohammed and others. No Amhara force has ever directly defeated the Oromo. Instead, they have relied on Oromo collaborators who venerate Amharanet over their own Oromummà. During the 1974 revolution, despite the Oromo’s significant role, we lost out due to Mengistu—an Oromo by birth, but hybrid in mind and marriage—who persecuted true Oromo nationalists. The crafty and cowardly Amhara elites stood behind him to destroy all things Oromo.
Similarly, they supported and tried to use Dr. Abiy Ahmed (a triple hybrid) to undermine Oromummà. Once again, the Oromo played a central role in the recent political transition, only to be betrayed by Oromo members of the Prosperity Party, led by Dr. Abiy, who have chosen to uphold Amhara dominance while undermining Oromo interests. As usual, the manipulative Amhara elites rallied behind Dr. Abiy to destroy Oromummà and Tegarunet. This is why they launched wars against the OLF and TPLF. Having already humiliated Tegaru elites, they are now targeting Oromo fighters like Jaal Marro Dirriba. The naïve Abiy Ahmed nearly became their puppet, ready to be used and discarded. Now, however, he seems to be waking up.
All nations in Ethiopia fought against the Naftagna system dominated by Amhara culture and language. Today, the neo-Naftagna hybrids—embodied in Abiy Ahmed’s Prosperity Party—are trying to maintain this system. The primary opposition to this oppressive regime comes from the OLF (and Oromo organizations committed to bilisummaa), the TPLF, and other oppressed nations. The fight against the neo-Naftagna system is especially difficult due to Abiy Ahmed’s polarizing personality. This deceptive dictator wears the masks of democrat, liberator, and spiritual leader, effectively dividing and misleading parts of the Oromo nationalist camp. This is why the Oromo have not united in resistance as they did against the monarchy, the Derg, or the EPRDF. It took me two years to fully understand his cvnning tactics.
Fortunately, the Oromo people are waking up. They are beginning to realize that they are suffering under the repressive rule of the Prosperity Party and are increasingly talking about liberation, rather than believing in the illusion of democratic reform within this empire. The notion of democratizing this empire—a lie exposed by the OLF since 1992—is now being widely questioned.
I also reject the politically correct label of calling the so-called “multinational” parties supporting the neo-Naftagna order “pan-Ethiopianist.” They are Amhara parties as long as they serve Amhara elite interests—especially maintaining Amharic as the sole federal language and continuing the assimilationist melting pot. One report I heard on SBO (the OLF’s radio) revealed that Oromo students still need Amharic fluency to obtain federal jobs, showing that Amarization remains the norm. These parties may include members from other ethnic groups, but they are linguistically and mentally Amharanized. The Oromo must see this clearly and build alliances with those forces resisting the Prosperity regime, including Tegaru forces. We must remain cautious of EPP infiltration, especially in “multinational” parties that are more easily infiltrated than ethnically based parties.
A few years ago, I wrote an article titled: “Oromians: Can We Welcome the Amhara Nation to the Club of Colonized Nations in the Horn?” I recalled Dr. Gregory Stanton’s speech to an Amhara audience in Washington, D.C., where he described internal colonization under the TPLF. Encouragingly, some Amhara nationalists have since begun discussing colonization themselves. This could bridge the gap between Oromo and Amhara liberation camps—an old discord the TPLF exploited. Today, the common enemy is the EPP, not the TPLF. Our struggle is now for liberation from neo-Naftagna oppression, not TPLF rule.
Oromo elites have long believed the West sincerely supports democratization, but that illusion must end. Western governments prefer weak, dependent regimes like the EPP, which reliably serve foreign interests. Any truly popular, democratic African government would resist such external control. Thus, expecting support from the West is self-deception.
This article focuses on how the Amhara bloc and Oromo camp can unite to dismantle the EPP. These two peoples will likely shape the future political landscape of the Horn of Africa—much like France and Germany in the EU. Both Oromo and Amhara liberation movements should now coordinate their efforts and form an inclusive alliance.
The two camps can debate the future structure—U.S.-style federalism versus an EU-style union—after the EPP is removed. For now, unity is key. The EPP is already working to prevent this alliance by infiltrating forums and communities, dividing Oromo and Amhara opinion using fake narratives and planted agents.
We must counteract this division by first consolidating internal unity within Oromo politics, then building cross-national alliances. The EPP’s divisive tactics—exploiting ethnicity, religion, and party affiliations—must be exposed. Amhara forces should give up nostalgia for pre-1991 dominance and begin thinking about a future where Amharia, like Oromia and other regions, is independent yet part of a broader, voluntary regional union. The dream of ruling all Ethiopia must be abandoned.
Eventually, Africa itself will move toward a “Union of Free Peoples”—whether regional or continental. Independent nations like Oromia, Amharia, Tigrai, Ogadenia, and Hausaland may emerge and later join federated entities like the East African Community or a reformed African Union. Redrawing of colonial-era borders will be inevitable. Future liberation will be driven not just by rural guerrilla warfare, but also civil disobedience, urban resistance, and strategic coordination.
Oromo and Amhara camps must build internal strength while preparing for a broad anti-EPP alliance. Amhara progress—from hostility toward the OLF to current cooperation—is encouraging. OLF should lead in forming this alliance, uniting all resistance forces against the EPP regime. It remains the regime’s nightmare.
Lastly, both camps must watch out for infiltrators. Liberation forces unify; EPP cadres divide. Our primary enemy is the EPP. Let us focus our energy on confronting this regime, not each other. An alliance between OLF, Fanno and TPLF is timely and essential. May Waaqa help us distinguish between our primary and secondary enemies and guide our priorities accordingly.
Galatôma!!
Read more:https://orompia.wordpress.com/2023/01/1 ... -h-mariam/