At This Time of Amhara Elites Destabilizing Dr. Abiy’s Regime, All Oromo Elites Should Support and Stabilize the PM!
Posted: 15 May 2025, 14:48
At This Time of Amhara Elites Destabilizing Dr. Abiy’s Regime, All Oromo Elites Should Support and Stabilize the Prime Minister’s Power!
Fayyis Oromia*
Over the past five years, Amhara elites have done their best to curry favor with Dr. Abiy, hoping he would serve their interests. He indeed attempted to fulfill their demands, which led him to suppress the legitimate national questions of the Oromo people. As a result, he lost the support of many Oromo nationals.
Despite his efforts to uphold the dominance of Amharanet (Amhara identity/language), Amhara elites turned against him in an attempt to seize power in the Finfinné (Addis Ababa) palace. Now, as he tries to defend his leadership by realigning with his original base—the Oromo—Amhara elites cry foul, demonize him, and work to destabilize his government.
This unified opposition by Amhara elites to Dr. Abiy naturally translates into renewed support for him from Oromo nationalists. It is not surprising that the more Amhara elites fight against Oromummaa (Oromo identity), the more Oromo nationals rally behind Dr. Abiy. Despite his past betrayals of some Oromo causes, it is time for Oromo nationalists to strengthen and stabilize his regime. No opportunity should be given to Amhara elites to retake Finfinné. Time will reveal whether Amhara elites seeking to delegitimize Dr. Abiy or Oromo elites supporting him will prevail.
The Broader Conflict: Geo-Federation vs. Ethno-Federation
The conflict in Ethiopia can be broadly characterized as one between pro-Amharanet dictators who advocate for a geography-based federation and pro-Oromummaa democrats who support ethno-federalism. Amhara elites continue to promote a geographic federation only as long as Amharanet dominates and the assimilation of other identities continues.
Currently, Dr. Abiy and his Prosperity Party (Biltsiginna) are aiding this agenda by marginalizing the rightful position of Oromummaa and Afaan Oromo as the primary identity and working language of the federation. Genuine Oromo nationalists must challenge this status quo and advocate for Afaan Oromo to assume a leading role across all institutions—parliament, judiciary, military, security, and government.
If Afaan Oromo becomes the primary language, then the Oromo—being the majority—can thrive under either a geographic or ethnic federation. While Amhara elites prefer the former for linguistic domination and Tigray elites lean toward the latter due to their minority status and perceived insecurity, Oromo interests should focus on leadership and language status regardless of structure.
Language Policy and Inclusive Politics: A Critique of Ezema
Ezema’s civic-centered politics is not inherently flawed, but its monolingual policy of using only Amharic alienates non-Amhara populations. If Ezema seeks Oromo support, it must begin using Afaan Oromo alongside—or even instead of—Amharic. Without this linguistic inclusiveness, its broader inclusive politics rings hollow.
The future of Oromo politics should embrace a zeginet (inclusive) approach—where both leadership in the Caffé Aràra palace and Afaan Oromo as the primary federal language are secured. A political party using Afaan Oromo as its working language and promoting an integrated, democratic Ethiopia led by Oromo values (Oromummaa) can be the new face of Oromo political leadership.
Reflecting on Gadaa.com’s Analysis and the Gridlock in Oromo Politics
Years ago, Gadaa.com published a thought-provoking article titled “The Dreadful Mess of Negation of Negation in Oromo Politics.” It asked a critical question: “The Oromo National Liberation Movement in a Self-Imposed Gridlock: How Can the Oromo Movement Unlock This Gridlock?” A picture of a traffic jam accompanied the article, symbolizing this stagnation.
In response, I have repeatedly shared my perspective: the endless debates among Oromo ideological factions often stem from misunderstanding rather than genuine conflict. Many Oromo nationalists still label each other “enemies” simply for favoring different paths—autonomy, independence, or union—when in reality, these are steps of one overarching goal.
Just like treating a chronic disease requires recurring prescriptions, I feel compelled to reassert my views in hopes of clarifying our shared objective.
The Core Argument: “Series Framework” vs. “Parallel Framework”
The article presents the original goal of the Oromo struggle as only the establishment of an independent Oromia. This is inconsistent with my belief in a more nuanced and evolving approach: an Ethiopian Union of Free Peoples.
Unlike the rigid “parallel framework” proposed by the article, where autonomy, independence, and union are treated as mutually exclusive, I advocate for a “series framework.” In this model, the three concepts are seen as sequential and complementary:
- Autonomy – short-term goal
- Independence – core mid-term objective
- Union of Free Peoples – long-term strategic vision
The original goal of the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) was not merely isolationist independence, but an inclusive vision of both sovereignty and unity—one that allowed for self-rule and cooperative federalism. This contrasts with the TPLF’s “federate or separate” dichotomy.
A Reinterpretation of the Poll and Its Flaws
The Gadaa.com poll asked: “What is the Oromo Cause for You?” with the options of autonomy, independence, union, or class struggle. This structure implies exclusivity among goals that should be seen as interdependent.
A better approach would have been to ask: “What Should Be the Final Goal of the Oromo Liberation Movement?” This would reveal who truly favors complete independence versus integration within a reformed union of free peoples.
The poll fails to recognize that many Oromo support all three goals—autonomy, independence, and union—depending on the historical and political context. The journey from autonomy through independence to union must be seen as a strategic continuum, not conflicting endpoints.
Summary of the Political Spectrum
To better navigate the Ethiopian political landscape, we can categorize parties and ideologies as follows:
- Unitarists: Favor a centralized, uniform Ethiopia with no recognition of Oromia’s autonomy.
- Federalists: Support autonomous Oromia within a strong multinational federation.
- Pro-Independence: Advocate for a sovereign Republic of Oromia.
- Unionists: Seek an eventual union of free nations led by Oromo principles and identity.
My vision aligns with the unionist approach—autonomy as the first step, independence as the core goal, and a mutually beneficial union as the final objective.
Conclusion and Future Direction
We must abandon the divisive “parallel framework” and embrace the inclusive “series framework.” By viewing autonomy, independence, and union as phases of a single struggle, we can overcome internal discord and build a cohesive movement.
Let Oromo nationalists of all stripes unite around this shared vision. The Oromo cause is not limited to one exclusive end but is a journey toward freedom, dignity, and leadership in a union of equals. Whether through reforming Ezema, building a new Oromo-led party, or transforming the Prosperity Party, the ultimate goal should be a free Oromia and an inclusive federation led by the values of Oromummaa.
Galatôma!
Read more:https://orompia.wordpress.com/2023/03/1 ... -minister/
Fayyis Oromia*
Over the past five years, Amhara elites have done their best to curry favor with Dr. Abiy, hoping he would serve their interests. He indeed attempted to fulfill their demands, which led him to suppress the legitimate national questions of the Oromo people. As a result, he lost the support of many Oromo nationals.
Despite his efforts to uphold the dominance of Amharanet (Amhara identity/language), Amhara elites turned against him in an attempt to seize power in the Finfinné (Addis Ababa) palace. Now, as he tries to defend his leadership by realigning with his original base—the Oromo—Amhara elites cry foul, demonize him, and work to destabilize his government.
This unified opposition by Amhara elites to Dr. Abiy naturally translates into renewed support for him from Oromo nationalists. It is not surprising that the more Amhara elites fight against Oromummaa (Oromo identity), the more Oromo nationals rally behind Dr. Abiy. Despite his past betrayals of some Oromo causes, it is time for Oromo nationalists to strengthen and stabilize his regime. No opportunity should be given to Amhara elites to retake Finfinné. Time will reveal whether Amhara elites seeking to delegitimize Dr. Abiy or Oromo elites supporting him will prevail.
The Broader Conflict: Geo-Federation vs. Ethno-Federation
The conflict in Ethiopia can be broadly characterized as one between pro-Amharanet dictators who advocate for a geography-based federation and pro-Oromummaa democrats who support ethno-federalism. Amhara elites continue to promote a geographic federation only as long as Amharanet dominates and the assimilation of other identities continues.
Currently, Dr. Abiy and his Prosperity Party (Biltsiginna) are aiding this agenda by marginalizing the rightful position of Oromummaa and Afaan Oromo as the primary identity and working language of the federation. Genuine Oromo nationalists must challenge this status quo and advocate for Afaan Oromo to assume a leading role across all institutions—parliament, judiciary, military, security, and government.
If Afaan Oromo becomes the primary language, then the Oromo—being the majority—can thrive under either a geographic or ethnic federation. While Amhara elites prefer the former for linguistic domination and Tigray elites lean toward the latter due to their minority status and perceived insecurity, Oromo interests should focus on leadership and language status regardless of structure.
Language Policy and Inclusive Politics: A Critique of Ezema
Ezema’s civic-centered politics is not inherently flawed, but its monolingual policy of using only Amharic alienates non-Amhara populations. If Ezema seeks Oromo support, it must begin using Afaan Oromo alongside—or even instead of—Amharic. Without this linguistic inclusiveness, its broader inclusive politics rings hollow.
The future of Oromo politics should embrace a zeginet (inclusive) approach—where both leadership in the Caffé Aràra palace and Afaan Oromo as the primary federal language are secured. A political party using Afaan Oromo as its working language and promoting an integrated, democratic Ethiopia led by Oromo values (Oromummaa) can be the new face of Oromo political leadership.
Reflecting on Gadaa.com’s Analysis and the Gridlock in Oromo Politics
Years ago, Gadaa.com published a thought-provoking article titled “The Dreadful Mess of Negation of Negation in Oromo Politics.” It asked a critical question: “The Oromo National Liberation Movement in a Self-Imposed Gridlock: How Can the Oromo Movement Unlock This Gridlock?” A picture of a traffic jam accompanied the article, symbolizing this stagnation.
In response, I have repeatedly shared my perspective: the endless debates among Oromo ideological factions often stem from misunderstanding rather than genuine conflict. Many Oromo nationalists still label each other “enemies” simply for favoring different paths—autonomy, independence, or union—when in reality, these are steps of one overarching goal.
Just like treating a chronic disease requires recurring prescriptions, I feel compelled to reassert my views in hopes of clarifying our shared objective.
The Core Argument: “Series Framework” vs. “Parallel Framework”
The article presents the original goal of the Oromo struggle as only the establishment of an independent Oromia. This is inconsistent with my belief in a more nuanced and evolving approach: an Ethiopian Union of Free Peoples.
Unlike the rigid “parallel framework” proposed by the article, where autonomy, independence, and union are treated as mutually exclusive, I advocate for a “series framework.” In this model, the three concepts are seen as sequential and complementary:
- Autonomy – short-term goal
- Independence – core mid-term objective
- Union of Free Peoples – long-term strategic vision
The original goal of the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) was not merely isolationist independence, but an inclusive vision of both sovereignty and unity—one that allowed for self-rule and cooperative federalism. This contrasts with the TPLF’s “federate or separate” dichotomy.
A Reinterpretation of the Poll and Its Flaws
The Gadaa.com poll asked: “What is the Oromo Cause for You?” with the options of autonomy, independence, union, or class struggle. This structure implies exclusivity among goals that should be seen as interdependent.
A better approach would have been to ask: “What Should Be the Final Goal of the Oromo Liberation Movement?” This would reveal who truly favors complete independence versus integration within a reformed union of free peoples.
The poll fails to recognize that many Oromo support all three goals—autonomy, independence, and union—depending on the historical and political context. The journey from autonomy through independence to union must be seen as a strategic continuum, not conflicting endpoints.
Summary of the Political Spectrum
To better navigate the Ethiopian political landscape, we can categorize parties and ideologies as follows:
- Unitarists: Favor a centralized, uniform Ethiopia with no recognition of Oromia’s autonomy.
- Federalists: Support autonomous Oromia within a strong multinational federation.
- Pro-Independence: Advocate for a sovereign Republic of Oromia.
- Unionists: Seek an eventual union of free nations led by Oromo principles and identity.
My vision aligns with the unionist approach—autonomy as the first step, independence as the core goal, and a mutually beneficial union as the final objective.
Conclusion and Future Direction
We must abandon the divisive “parallel framework” and embrace the inclusive “series framework.” By viewing autonomy, independence, and union as phases of a single struggle, we can overcome internal discord and build a cohesive movement.
Let Oromo nationalists of all stripes unite around this shared vision. The Oromo cause is not limited to one exclusive end but is a journey toward freedom, dignity, and leadership in a union of equals. Whether through reforming Ezema, building a new Oromo-led party, or transforming the Prosperity Party, the ultimate goal should be a free Oromia and an inclusive federation led by the values of Oromummaa.
Galatôma!
Read more:https://orompia.wordpress.com/2023/03/1 ... -minister/
