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As Biltsigina Tries to Survive by Polarizing Amhara and Oromo, the Opposition Must Promote the Oromara Project!

By Fayyis Oromia*

It is interesting to observe that Dr. Abiy Ahmed is using the same tactic of dividing and polarizing Amhara and Oromo communities in order to survive politically—just as Meles Zenawi once did. Dr. Abiy has positioned himself at the center of Ethiopia’s political spectrum, with the APF (Amhara Popular Force) on the far right, APP (Amhara Prosperity Party) on the center-right, OPP (Oromo Prosperity Party) on the center-left, and the OLF (Oromo Liberation Front) on the far left. He seeks to instrumentalize the APP vs. OPP and APF vs. OLF dichotomies to sow division between Amhara and Oromo.

He balances the two camps by victimizing both, depending on pressure from each side. When the Amhara bloc becomes strong and threatens his power, he leans toward the Oromo side to weaken them—and vice versa. Currently, it seems that APP, supported by APF, is in a bitter struggle against OPP, which enjoys partial backing from OLF. Dr. Abiy is manipulating both ends of the political spectrum to neutralize them, thereby securing his grip on power in the Finfinne (Addis Ababa) palace. He knows very well that only a genuine alliance between Amhara forces and Oromo fronts can pose a real threat to his regime. Only an Oromara coalition can remove the authoritarian rule of Abiy and his loyal EPP (Ethiopian Prosperity Party) members—just as such an alliance once toppled the TPLF.

Unfortunately, the Amhara and Oromo elites have yet to build mutual trust due to the ongoing dominance of Amharanet at the expense of Oromummaa. Amhara elites are reluctant to give up this dominance, and Oromo elites, justifiably, continue their struggle for liberation. This division is a God-given opportunity for Abiy and his EPP to remain in power, as the likelihood of the Oromara alliance re-emerging as a formidable force—as it once did against the Woyane—is currently low. That is why Abiy is eager to perpetuate the Amharanet vs. Oromummaa conflict. His party members and supporters are deliberately fueling this ethnic polarization.

Dr. Abiy tactically delays addressing key Oromo demands, such as promoting Afaan Oromo and Oromummaa to their rightful leadership role, to prolong the conflict between the two largest nations. Today’s protests in the Amhara and Oromia regions are orchestrations by EPP to escalate the Amhara–Oromo conflict. The burning question is: how will opposition groups respond to this strategy? Will they be used as tools to further divide the people, or will they reverse the trend and promote the Oromara project to oust the dictatorial Biltsigina regime, just as they did with the TPLF five years ago? Time will tell.

The Core Conflict in Ethiopian Politics

In various articles, I have supported democratic federalists while also critiquing their weaknesses. As I’ve stated, the primary conflict in Ethiopia today is between two camps:

Anti-Oromia forces, mainly reactionary unitarists from the unity camp.
Pro-Oromia forces, which advocate for national self-administration—represented by Oromo nationalists and other oppressed nations.
This divide was long viewed as irreconcilable, and EPP has masterfully exploited it to divide and rule.

Fortunately, farsighted leaders from the OLF and CUD overcame this division in 2006 by forming the Alliance for Freedom and Democracy (AFD). This marked the beginning of a rare and promising cooperation between seemingly opposing forces. Sadly, AFD faced resistance from three directions: the ruling TPLF regime, right-wing conservative Ethio-nationalists, and left-wing radical Ethno-nationalists. The internal split in CUD and the withdrawal of EPPF eventually doomed the alliance.

Though the time for a lasting AFD solution may not have come yet, the future favors AFD’s vision: a union of free peoples in Ethiopia. Like France and Germany—once enemies but now the backbone of the EU—future democratic Amharaland and Oromoland can become pillars of a peaceful Ethiopian federation.

Medrek, ENM, and the Mid-Ground Approach

A similar step toward this vision was Medrek, an alliance formed through two years of dialogue among moderate Ethiopian politicians. Both UDJ (a unity-leaning party) and OFC (a federalist party) united to oppose the TPLF regime. However, this too met resistance from:
- The ruling TPLF regime.
- Conservative unitarists.
- Radical ethno-nationalists.

Despite this, Medrek represented a compromise—a centrist position attempting to unite historically divided camps. UDJ was the only party that tried to shift from the far right toward the center. People often forget that Medrek’s value lies in its ability to bring opposites together—a move that made the impossible, possible.

Later, ODF and AG7 formed the Ethiopian National Movement (ENM), which was a “Mid-Referendist” platform open to both types of federation based on public will.

Who Opposed ENM—and Why?

As with Medrek, ENM faced opposition from three main groups:
- The fascist TPLF regime.
- Reactionary unitarists seeking centralized control.
- Radical Oromo nationalists and fake cyber “independence” activists loyal to TPLF.

Despite lacking a full-fledged program from either side, ENM developed a “mini-program”—a pragmatic compromise. This, again, was the impossible made possible.

The Critical Role of Oromian Unity

I have been a critical supporter of both Medrek and ENM. While I recognize their achievements, I also stress that they must not compromise on the unity of Oromia, just as they uphold the unity of Ethiopia. Accepting and respecting both Oromian unity and Ethiopian unity would give these alliances a more stable mass base and long-term viability.

Mistakes like proposing the dismantling of Oromia via a national referendum must be corrected. If the referendum concerns only the Oromo people, it may be legitimate. But involving non-Oromo populations in such decisions is unjust. True consensus will only come when all members accept the God-given right of Oromia to exist as a united entity.

ENM’s Challenges—and the Way Forward

To survive and become a reliable political force, ENM must overcome three major challenges:
- Internal tensions: Emotionally charged groups with conflicting agendas may push the coalition toward collapse.
- External sabotage: The ruling regime will attempt to divide and weaken ENM, as it did with CUD and UDJ.
- Reconciling Oromian and Ethiopian unity: Lasting support from Oromo people depends on this.

Once ENM accepts Oromian unity alongside Ethiopian unity, its foundation will be unshakable. Otherwise, both Ethiopia’s disintegration (feared by right-wing unitarists) and a chaotic independent Oromia (feared by left radicals) may become realities.

The Path Forward

ENM and similar alliances can be a powerful force for democratic change—a modern solution for Ethiopia’s historical problems. If properly guided, such coalitions can unite all oppressed peoples and nations under the banner of democracy, federalism, and mutual respect.

I pray that Waaqa grants wisdom to leaders of both ODF and AG7 to make this vision a reality. Let the youth take the lead. Let Birtukan’s courage and Berhanu and Leenco’s vision guide the way. The alternative is continued rule by EPRDF 2.0 under Biltsigina. Only alliances like ENM, rooted in justice and compromise, can deliver us from dictatorship.

Galatooma!
Read more: https://orompia.wordpress.com/2023/04/0 ... a-project/

[Noble Amhara]

No point of Ooromara

Last time we did Oromara

It was for you to call amhara "neftegna,qomche, safari"

PP is better then OLF

Olf seeks to murder all amhara!