Oromo's Political Struggle at Three Levels: Ethnic, Party and Individual!
By Fayyis Oromia*
It is important to differentiate the political struggle in Ethiopia at three levels:
Ethnic Level: The struggle at the ethnic level is ongoing, especially in the form of a triangular struggle between the three major ethnic groups (Amhara, Tigray, and Oromo). The power struggle at this level operates under the natural principle of “survival of the fittest.” Attempting to apply democracy at this level is futile and naive. One ethnic group always wins and rules, while another loses and is ruled. Until 1991, the Amhara ruled; then the Tigray dominated; and now the Oromo are leading. Only a naive Oromo would give up this power through a ballot box.
Party Level: After an ethnic group consolidates power by force, political parties supporting the dominating ethnic group can compete democratically for power. This is why the Oromo, after ensuring they have checked the deceitful Abyssinian elites, can open up to the competition between parties such as the OFC, OLF/OLA, and OPP for power in Finfinne Palace.
Individual Level: Individuals within each party can absolutely use democratic principles to achieve any status and even rise to the position of leader (prime minister) of the country.
In summary, there is no democracy in the power struggle at the ethnic level. At the party level, it is essential to monitor the Abyssinian elites to prevent them from regaining power under the guise of democracy. Intra-party competition among individuals in the OFC, OLA, OLF, and OPP can be purely democratic as long as the individuals are loyal to Oromo political interests.
There is no doubt that the Oromo are slowly, but surely, approaching absolute freedom from the former alien rulers and dictators. It is only a matter of time before the genuine Oromo nationalists in the pro-Oromummaa Republican camp overtake political power from the pro-Amharic Prosperity Party in Finfinne Palace. Once that happens, the Oromo Republicans should consolidate their power and promote Afan Oromo as the primary working language of the federation, replacing Amharic. After that, we need Oromo political specialists at nine levels:
- Local Level (Ganda/Village)
- County Level (Aradda/Qebele)
- District Level (Ànà)
- Zone Level (Province)
- Oromia (State)
- Ethiopia (Federation)
- Horn (Region)
- Africa (Continent)
- Global Level (UN)
Oromo nationalists must specialize politically to play the smart game and protect the Oromo nation’s interests at all levels. Knowledge, experience, and skill at these nine levels are essential. Empowering Oromummaa and promoting Afan Oromo at all levels must be at the core of our efforts.
Diplomacy and Regional Integration
The ongoing diplomatic moves by Oromo elites to foster a sort of confederation in the form of the United States of the Horn of Africa (USHA) are encouraging and strategic. The discussions between Eritrean, Somali, and Ethiopian leaders on this possibility are positive. We hope that Djibouti and Somaliland will join this regional bloc. As far as the Oromo are concerned, consolidating our power in Finfinne Palace, liberating Oromia from any alien domination, and democratizing Ethiopia can enable us to push for the integration of the Horn of Africa and the federation of Africa, all with Finfinne as the capital and center of politics. Any country, region, or continent with Finfinne as its center would inevitably feel the ripple effects of Oromo politics. How fortunate the Oromo are to be in this position, provided we are smart enough to play our political cards wisely.
To succeed in this, Oromo forces in the OFC, OLF, and OPP must reach a consensus and unite all Oromo nationals to rally behind them. If we forge such unity of purpose, no force in the region can challenge or hinder us from becoming culturally, economically, and politically influential at various levels, including in Finfinne, Oromia, Oropia (Oromummaa-led Ethiopia), the Horn, Africa, and globally.
Although OPP has been slow to address key Oromo issues, such as securing Finfinne and promoting Afan Oromo as the federal language, the Oromo nation is to some extent free from both Amharic and Tigray elite domination. This is a model for freedom for all African nations, which have been divided or artificially unified by colonial borders. Ethiopia, a multi-national state in Africa (formed based on ethnic regions), contrasts with the mono-national states of Europe. It is one of the countries still suffering from the effects of European colonization in the region and from the impact of Abyssinian domination over other nations like the Oromo.
The name Ethiopia itself is problematic, as it has different meanings: According to the Bible, it refers to Cushland; according to the Greeks, it means the land of blacks (burnt faces); according to Tigrayans, it is associated with the Axum Empire; according to the Amhara, it represents Abyssinia; and for Ethiopianists from the southern nations, it is the current geographical state. For Oromo nationalists, Ethiopia symbolizes a system of domination. Ethiopia existed as a feudal monarchy until the rule of Haile Selassie, as a military dictatorship under Mengistu, and as a dictatorial revolutionary democracy under Meles and his colleagues. Will the next step be the forging of a democratic federal system by the OPP and others? According to the program of the OPP, the move is towards a true democratic ethnic federation, as opposed to the TPLF’s dictatorial, fake ethnic federation.
A Better Administrative Structure for Africa
Regarding the OPP’s program for a fantastic administrative structure, it supports the right of all nations and nationalities to organize within their territories at the community, district, province (zone), and state levels. This is an excellent model and can serve as an example for other African multinational states. To address the challenges facing African nations and the current global situation, Africans are working towards a United States of Africa (USA).
For example, Amhara democrats who want to abolish ethnic federation and establish Ethiopia as a “melting pot” (where all nations are assimilated into Amharic speakers) view the USA as a model. Meanwhile, the Oromo liberation forces, which aim to establish an independent democratic republic of different nations, see the European Union (EU) model as more appropriate. However, both the US and the EU cannot serve as ideal examples for Africa. The US is a melting pot for nations from around the world migrating to America, while the EU is a union of developed, independent mono-national states, each using their own languages.
Africa is neither a melting pot nor a union of developed mono-national states. The best approach for Africa is to build a union (federation) with autonomous national areas for all nations, also known as “ethnies.” Based on their size and development, some nations can form mono-national states, like Oromia. Others, too small to have their own state, can form multinational states, like the SNNP, with each nation having its own province, district, or community as an autonomous national area. A five-tier organization (African federation: mono-/multinational states — mono-/multinational provinces — mono-/multinational districts — mono-/multinational communities) is the most suitable administrative arrangement for Africa.
OPP’s Ethiopian Model: A Prototype for Africa
In short, OPP’s Ethiopian model can be used as a prototype for the future African federation. By transitioning from the fake ethnic federation under the TPLF to a true one, as OPP and OFC are advocating, we would not only achieve an integrated Ethiopian union but also an integrated African continent, with Oromia and Finfinne as the center. Oromia would be a sovereign state within the United States of Africa, alongside other nation-states like Amharaland, Tigray, and more.
The crucial question we must ask ourselves is at which administrative level we are thinking, talking, and acting when dealing with politics. If we are ready to think and act at the five-tier level described above, we can realize that ethnic or language-based federalism, rather than geography-based federalism, is the key to the regional union of Ethiopia and the continental integration of Africa.
Conclusion
The formation of the AFD by CUD and OLF was the first nightmare for the TPLF. The subsequent formation of Medrek by OFC, UDJ, and other parties was the second nightmare. Now, OPP’s vision offers a better hope compared to TPLF’s fake federation, though it is not the ultimate solution. The PAFD will provide the best hope for the nations within the empire. While OPP’s approach leads to a temporary solution based on consensus, PAFD’s approach will create a lasting result through a public referendum.
The political shift in Ethiopia is moving from TPLF’s fake ethnic federation to OPP’s true ethnic federation, and eventually to PAFD’s vision of self-determination for all nations.
In interviews, leaders from different Oromo liberation fronts have expressed their movement toward a united front to revive the AFD alliance. This is an excellent move to strengthen the struggle against the TPLF. I hope this alliance in the diaspora will be reactivated and coordinate with the efforts of OPP and Medrek to galvanize the struggle for freedom and democracy at home.
Final Thoughts
As for other African multinational states formed by colonial powers, they can learn two things from OPP’s Ethiopian model: First, they must recognize and respect the God-given rights of their nations and nationalities, allowing them to have self-administration and self-determination. Second, they need to adopt ethnic federations with five administrative levels to promote cultural, economic, and political autonomy, paving the way for the future United States of Africa, free from the negative influence of colonial borders and languages.
The Oromo’s struggle for freedom can serve as a model for transforming Africa’s colonial artificial borders into natural national boundaries. Oromo political influence, emanating from Finfinne and Oromia, is a gift from God, and the Oromo must use this opportunity wisely.
Galatôma!
Read more:https://orompia.wordpress.com/2023/03/2 ... ndividual/