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[OPFist]

Can Jawar’s Movement Help Promote Oromo Liberation from the 75% Status Quo to the 100% Goal?

By Fayyis Oromia*

There is no question that the Oromo liberation journey has been incremental. For over fifty years, the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) has led the Oromo struggle for freedom, achieving approximately 75% liberation—both in terms of land and collective consciousness. When Emperor Haile Selassie was deposed in 1974, about 25% of Oromia and the Oromo people were liberated. With the fall of the Derg regime in 1991, this figure rose to 50%. The 2018 movement, which ousted the TPLF-dominated government, pushed liberation forward to 75%.

Now, the critical question remains: Can Jawar Mohammed’s current movement help move the Oromo from the 75% status quo to full (100%) liberation? Is his effort the next phase in the long struggle for freedom from the oppressive hybrid regime of Biltsiginna?

Thanks to the OLF, a significant portion of the Oromo population has been freed from the mental colonization of “Amharanet” (Amhara cultural dominance), often disguised as “Ethiopiawinet.” As a result, many Oromos now proudly embrace Oromummaa—the essence of Oromo identity. However, some Oromo elites, whether consciously or subconsciously, still revere Amharanet over Oromummaa. Ironically, many of these elites currently hold power in Ethiopia and Oromia.

Despite this, the mindset of Bilisummà (freedom)—instilled by the OLF—even used such compromised minds to defeat hegemonic Tigrayan elites in the most recent war. With Tigrayan influence significantly diminished, attention must now shift to the die-hard Amhara Naftagna elites. These forces, openly hostile to the Oromo cause, are attempting to regain control of the central government using figures like Dr. Abiy and pro-Amharanet elites (PAEs) as political instruments. They boast about their “victory” over the Tigrayans and are confident that they can outmaneuver “naive” Oromo elites—including the Prime Minister himself.

Fortunately, the liberation mindset introduced by the OLF is taking root, and this time, the goal is clear: defeat the Naftagna ideology irreversibly. All pro-Oromummaa elites (POEs) must now focus on permanently dismantling Amhara imperial ambitions.

Historical Roots and the Cultural Shift Towards Oromummà

During the Ethiopian monarchy—especially from 1270 to 1974—Oromo individuals in the ruling elite were more inclined to embrace Amharanet and Amharic, rather than preserving Oromummaa and Afaan Oromo. This led to the assimilation of many northern Oromos into Amhara identity.

The arrival of the OLF was a turning point. It shifted the trajectory back toward Oromummaa and helped the Oromo reclaim pride in their original identity. Under the Derg regime, this awakening bore initial fruit—legal recognition of the Oromo name and the policy of “land to the tiller.” During the TPLF-dominated EPRDF era, Oromia was formally recognized, and Afaan Oromo was institutionalized within the region.

Under Abiy Ahmed’s Medemer philosophy, there have been minor additions, like the expansion of Afaan Oromo’s use in Finfinne (Addis Ababa) and even in Orthodox Christian spaces. However, Oromo representation in power remains largely symbolic. Biologically Oromo, many leaders have historically prioritized Amharanet over Oromummaa, a trend that continues under Dr. Abiy’s leadership.

To achieve full liberation, we still need a final phase of Moggaasa—a cultural renaissance that establishes Afaan Oromo as a federal working language and restores the identity of assimilated Oromos.

Current Power Struggles and the Need for Unity

Today, an intense power struggle is underway between republican Oromo forces (led by the OLF and figures like Jawar Mohammed) and the ruling Oromo elites within the OPP (Oromo Prosperity Party). As always, Oromo elites are divided, fighting one another—allowing [ deleted ] Abyssinian elites (Naftagnas and Woyanes) to manipulate the conflict and regain control of Finfinne.

It seems that the Naftagnas have succeeded in drawing Abiy into their orbit. They pushed him to crack down on prominent Oromo leaders—most notably, Jawar Mohammed—and now wield significant influence over the central government. This is the third lost opportunity for Oromo-led change:
- First, in 1974, when Mengistu’s Seded crushed Oromo aspirations.
- Second, in 1991, when OPDO under Nagaso Gidada marginalized the OLF.
- Third, in 2018, when Abiy’s OPP betrayed the movement and suppressed Oromo activists.
In each case, Oromo leaders—while nominally in power—sabotaged the freedom struggle from within. Mengistu persecuted Meison and killed Haile Fida. Nagaso undermined the OLF and executed Nadhi Gammada. Now, Abiy has imprisoned Jawar and others—symbols of modern Oromo nationalism. These patterns expose a tragic reality: Oromo elites have been the greatest saboteurs of the Oromo struggle, more than any external enemy.

A Strategic Path Forward: Forming the Oromo Republican Party (ORP)

To correct course, genuine Oromo opposition forces—like the OFC and OLF—must come together and form an Oromo Republican Party (ORP) that can challenge the OPP in future democratic elections.

Historically, Oromo liberation movements have had three distinct ideological visions:
- Multinational Federation: Shared rule within Ethiopia, with self-rule for Oromia.
- Independent Republic of Oromia: Full sovereignty and statehood.
- Multi-Regional Federation: Autonomy for traditional Oromo regions without a unified Oromia.
The first generation of Oromo activists supported a single vision—independence. The second generation entertained both independence and federalism. A potential third generation must now embrace all three goals as alternatives, reflecting a flexible and inclusive approach.

The Oromo struggle is part of a broader Cushitic liberation movement in the Horn of Africa—a resistance to centuries of colonization and domination by Abyssinian elites and foreign imperial forces. This history dates back to ancient Cushitic civilizations, mentioned in religious texts and reshaped by European colonial narratives.

From Division to Unity: Embracing a Pragmatic, Third-Generation Strategy

Over centuries, Cushitic peoples—especially the Oromo—have been pitted against each other by outsiders. The so-called “16th-century Oromo migration” was not merely a movement; it was a liberation response to invasions by European-backed Abyssinians and Ottoman-supported Arab forces. Since then, the Oromo have faced relentless cultural and political suppression by Habeshanized elites—Cushites who adopted foreign Semitic languages and religions to consolidate their power.

The current generation of Oromo leaders must break away from this pattern. The third generation—pragmatic and inclusive—should aim to:
- Unite all Oromo regions and people.
- Respect various paths to sovereignty (independent Oromia, federal Oromia, or integrative Ethiopia).
- Forge alliances even with traditionally antagonistic Amharic-speaking elites who now support freedom and democracy.
If democracy and freedom are to define future politics in the region, Oromo people have nothing to fear. Whichever vision prevails can be decided through a national referendum.

Let us support the formation of a unified Oromo Republican Party (ORP) that embodies the unity of purpose shared by all generations of the Oromo struggle. Let this party challenge the hegemony of OPP and lead us toward the final realization of Bilisummaa.
Long live the Oromo movement—with one goal of freedom, and three possible outcomes of sovereignty.
May Wàqà help the OLF and OFC unite to create a strong ORP for the future!

Galatôma
Read more: https://orompia.wordpress.com/2023/03/1 ... s-mogaasa/

[Zack]

No because jawar is also a master of confusion u dont know if he wants separation from ethiopia or if he wants a unity with ethiopia he is also a confused galla


Dr Zackovich