TPLF Formed Amhara and Southern Regions to Neutralize Oromia; the OLF Is Doing the Opposite to Normalize Oropia!
By Fayyis Oromia*
When the TPLF came to power in Finfinne, it deliberately created the larger Amhara and Southern regions at the expense of the national self-rule of peoples like the Agaw and Sidama. Thanks to the bitter struggle of the Qeerroo, things have changed since 2018. Gradually, nations within these conglomerate regions are beginning to gain nominal self-rule. The OLF-affiliated members within the OPP are doing their part to liberate all nations that will form the future Oropia (an Oromummaa-led Ethiopia). The process of liberation in the Southern region is nearly complete, and now a similar approach is being tried in the Amhara region.
Particularly, nations such as the Agaw, Qimant, Wolqayit, Wollo, Raya, Gafat, Waata (Wayito), and Argoba deserve to have their own administrative regions (killils). It is time to materialize this genuine and legitimate vision of these historically oppressed nations.
It is encouraging to hear that Dr. Abiy has already planned to divide the Amhara Killil into three smaller, but autonomous, regions:
- Gondar, led by the Qimant, including Wolqayit
- Gojjam, led by the Agaw
- Wollo, led by the Oromo and including Raya
The Amhara section of North Shewa will be split in two: one part reintegrated into Oromia, and the other joining Wollo. Gondar will use Qimantinya and Amharic, Gojjam will use Agawigna and Amharic, and Wollo’s working languages will naturally be Afaan Oromo and Amharic. Implementing this plan is perhaps the best way to bring long-lasting peace and solutions to the currently restless Amhara region. Go on, Dr. Abiy — may Waaqa be with you!
Otherwise, it is long overdue. The OLF-wing of the OPP is gradually defeating the OPDO-wing. The OLF mindset of sovereignty is prevailing over the OPDO mindset of servitude. Simply put, the OLF vision of freedom and sovereignty is making progress within the OFC, OLA, and OPP. Regarding the Kaayyoo (national goal), the OLF mindset has ultimately chosen a broader Oropia (an Oromummaa-led Ethiopia) over a smaller, standalone Oromia. Today, no rational Oromo opposes this democratic rainbow Ethiopia — where Afaan Oromo will be the primary working language, a modernized Gadaa system will be implemented, and the cultural diversity of all nations will thrive. This envisioned Ethiopia will be a just home for all nations and peoples of the country.
Naturally, the OLF mindset — which leads all freedom-loving organizations in Ethiopia — will ultimately triumph and bring down the current dictatorial regime of the Prosperity Party to realize Oropia.
I once read an open letter by Dr. Fikre Tolassa addressed to Dr. Beyan Asoba, and also reviewed several responses by Oromo nationalists, including one by Dr. Beyan himself. It was a fascinating discussion. I couldn’t resist contributing my own thoughts, as I have long written about the real or imagined histories of the Oromo, other Cushitic peoples, and Abyssinians living in today’s ethnofederal Ethiopia. I would like to share my reflections on Dr. Fikre’s letter. While I don’t completely reject his views, I do have concerns and criticisms.
When I first heard Dr. Fikre speak and read his opinions, I thought: “Here is a modern-day neo-Debtera bearing an Oromo name, yet promoting the same old Abyssinian fictions and legends.” He initially described the Oromo as having expanded in the sixteenth century into Amhara territory. He wrote:
“…The Amhara were not lucky enough to live in peace. Shortly after the Islamic wars ended, they engaged in a war with their fellow countrymen, the Oromo, who had started expanding into their territories in the 1520s while the Amhara were preoccupied with Muslim invasions. Compared to the Tigreans, the Amhara inhabited the most fertile lands of Ethiopia. Initially, different Oromo tribes fought the Amhara wherever they encountered them, in search of ideal grazing lands for their cattle…”
Thanks to the Oromo liberation struggle, Dr. Fikre has since updated his perspective, now recognizing the Oromo as indigenous people of this region — a fact reluctantly acknowledged by even some Abyssinian scholars. We must commend Dr. Fikre for his intellectual growth and willingness to revise his views in light of new evidence. I’m not a historian and cannot verify or falsify his latest claims, but I can say his newer perspective is far better than the dismissive and alienating narratives previously advanced by old Abyssinian Debteras. They portrayed the Oromo as outsiders, while Dr. Fikre now affirms that the Oromo are foundational to this region.
Regarding genealogy, Dr. Fikre suggests that the Amhara and Oromo are brothers. While I don’t call it a fable, I urge conscious Oromo scholars to engage his claims, assess their validity, and use them as part of a broader effort to tell Oromo history from an Oromo perspective. Dr. Fikre bases some of his arguments on an ancient text found in Nubia — Metsehafe Djan Shewa, allegedly discovered by Meri Ras Aman Belay — which claims that “Amara” comes from “Mara,” one of the sons of Deshet, a name of Oromo origin. If this genealogy is accepted at face value, it suggests that the Amhara are descendants of the Oromo — a hypothesis aligned with theories that Abyssinians are culturally assimilated Cushites.
The real issue, however, lies in Dr. Fikre’s lack of sensitivity to the Oromo liberation struggle. Whether or not the Oromo and Abyssinians are biologically related, the political reality is that the Abyssinian elite have long oppressed the Oromo. Using euphemisms — colony, domination, exploitation, empire-building, tyranny, fascism — does not change this. The Oromo have been struggling for over 150 years to reclaim their freedom. Dr. Fikre seems more invested in preserving the empire than in addressing this deep-seated grievance, using historical interpretations to justify it.
This attitude is clear in the three demands he made:
- Change the Oromo alphabet from Latin to Saba
- Ask Oromos to support “Greater Ethiopia” by abandoning “Little Oromia”
- Encourage Oromo to embrace the Ethiopian flag and identity
These demands were met with strong resistance by Oromo nationalists. For most Oromos, the Latin script isn’t just linguistic — it’s political. It’s a way of asserting identity distinct from that of the oppressors. Similarly, the Ethiopian flag represents a symbol of conquest, not unity, to many Oromos who fought under its shadow. It’s unrealistic to expect those who have been victims of state violence to embrace its emblem.
As for “Little Oromia vs. Greater Ethiopia,” I suggest that if unification is the goal, it’s better to rename the country “Oromia” or “Oropia” rather than expecting Oromos to accept the name “Ethiopia” with all its baggage. The name Ethiopia, derived from the Greek term meaning “burnt face,” and its association with Abyssinian empire-building, makes it unacceptable to many. Why not embrace a more inclusive identity?
Dr. Beyan summarized this sentiment perfectly:
“The days when Oromos had to endure self-abnegation are over and shall never return… You either accept us with our identity and our rights fully respected or kiss goodbye to your Ethiopiawinet… You cannot build unity on the graves of the oppressed…”
This Ethiopia described by Dr. Beyan is the democratic rainbow Ethiopia envisioned by the OLF — a just union of equals, not an empire of domination.
In conclusion, the future of Ethiopia rests on one of three paths for the Oromo, post-liberation:
- An independent Oromia
- An ethnofederal union (Union Oromia, not Empire Abyssinia)
- A pan-national Oropia — a Gadaa-based, democratic, rainbow Ethiopia
Dr. Fikre and others who advocate for unity must acknowledge that unity cannot come at the cost of Oromo identity and dignity. If you truly want to save the union, offer a better vision than “little Oromia” — offer a democratic Oropia, with Afaan Oromo as the union’s working language and the black-red-white flag bearing Mo’aa Odaa as its symbol.
Let us move forward — not by manipulating legends, but through future-oriented, creative, and inclusive thinking. May Waaqa help all Oromos to unite around this reality.
Galatooma.
Read more:https://orompia.wordpress.com/2023/04/0 ... he-future/