OFC, OLA, and OLF Should Strive to Liberate All of Oropia, Not Just Oromia!
It is encouraging to see that major Oromo organizations—OFC, OLA, OLF, and even OPP—are gradually coming to their senses and beginning to collaborate to complete the liberation of Oromia from the longstanding system of domination rooted in Amharanet/Amarigna. The recent press releases from OFC and OLF indicate their commitment to reclaiming cities and regions like Finfinne, Dire Dawa, Wallo, Moyale, Madda Walabu, and Metekel for Oromia. This assertion, however, has sparked significant controversy—particularly among the Amhara bloc and the Somali camp.
Yet, OFC and OLF have not yet demonstrated the high level of confidence required to push for the legitimate formation of Oropia—an Oromummaa-led Ethiopia—instead of merely seeking the liberation of Oromia. In my view, these organizations should avoid raising provocative territorial claims that appear to seek the annexation of areas from other regions into Oromia. Rather, they should emphasize the importance of promoting Afàn Oromô as the primary federal language, replacing Amarigna, and prioritize the democratization of the country.
A democratic Ethiopia that adopts Afaan Oromoo as its primary working language would, in effect, become Oropia. In such a nation, the specific regional affiliation of contested cities would matter less, as their Oromo identity would naturally align with a federal Oropia. As I’ve previously written:
“An independent Oromia is a goal of low confidence. A federal union is an objective of intermediate confidence. An integrative Oropia—based on geo-federation—is a vision of high confidence.”
It is my hope that Oromo elites will gradually develop this higher confidence and advocate for the establishment of a united Oropia, which would offer far greater benefits to the Oromo people than a limited focus on an isolated Oromia.
On the EPP, OLF, and Political Transformation
It was not entirely negative that Dr. Abiy’s exclusive ODP transformed into the more inclusive EPP in order to bring together a wider range of Ethiopian elites. However, what the EPP lacks is genuine loyalty to the interests of the Oromo and to Oromummà. This hybrid party, under a hybrid Prime Minister, remains loyal to the dominant Amharanet/Amarigna system, rather than promoting Oromiffa and Oromummà to their rightful national leadership roles.
Therefore, the OLF should aim to correct this shortcoming by advocating for the formation of a new inclusive party—perhaps an Ethiopian Republican Party (ERP)—led by genuine Oromo republican nationalists. This party could transform Ethiopia from a status quo Amapia (Amhara-dominated state) into Oropia (Oromummà-led state). In such a scenario, ERP would become a strong democratic contender against EPP, capable of implementing a transformative national vision.
The most strategic move the OLF can make now is to evolve from an exclusive Oromian front into an inclusive Oropian (Ethiopian) party. Oromo republicans taking power from the ruling Oromo “Prosperitans,” promoting Afaan Oromoo as the country’s primary working language, and democratizing Ethiopia on Oromo terms is the optimal path forward. Such an Ethiopia would, de facto, be a “Greater Oromia”—or Oropia—twice as expansive as the initially envisioned republic of Oromia.
One reason to choose a democratic Ethiopia over outright secession is the widely held belief that the Oromo are the stem nation in the Horn of Africa, with many other groups being its branches. Adopting a modernized Gadà system as an indigenous democratic model for the entire Cushitic Horn region—including Eritrea, Djibouti, Somalia, Sudan, and Kenya—would amount to building a Greater Oromia.
That is why I consistently urge Oromo nationalists to focus on the Triple-A of Oromo political aspiration:
- Àngô (Power) in the Finfinne Palace
- Afàn Oromô as the federal working language
- Aadà (Culture) of the Oromo as a central pillar of Ethiopian identity
A democratic Ethiopia governed by this AAA framework would, in effect, be Oropia, eliminating the need for a separate Republic of Oromia.
On the “Stem and Branch” Analogy
Recently, some Oromo and Habesha elites have claimed that the Oromo do not favor secession. They argue that the Oromo are the stem from which all other Ethiopian nations branched off, implying that it is illogical for the stem to separate from its branches.
But where did this new theory originate? And more importantly, is it accurate?
In my opinion, this analogy is politically motivated and oversimplifies the historical and cultural complexities of the region. History itself is contested. Some church historians claim the Oromo migrated from Madagascar. Others suggest we originated from Madda Walabu and expanded northward. A third group asserts that the Oromo are indigenous to North-East Africa, originating from Meroe and forming the foundation of all Cushitic peoples in the Horn.
Each version offers a different solution:
- Migrants should “return”
- Madda Walabu-origin Oromo should declare full independence
- Cush-origin Oromo should embrace leadership within Ethiopia
The last version, while intellectually modern, often serves to undermine the Oromo people’s legitimate right to independence and self-determination. It is now common to hear Habesha elites say that even Amhara and Tigreans stem from the Oromo. Their aim? To argue that the “stem” cannot separate from its “branches,” thus discouraging the push for an independent Oromia.
My question to Oromo elites who embrace this analogy: Are you being manipulated by Habesha elites, or do you genuinely believe this path still ensures Oromo self-determination?
Even if there is a shared ancestry, today’s Oromo, Amhara, and Tigreans are distinct nations with separate languages, cultures, territories, and histories. I see all nations in the region as individual trees in a shared garden. While they benefit from common soil, air, and water, each has a right to its own space. When one tree grows aggressively and overshadows others, it becomes invasive. Likewise, when political elites from one nation try to dominate others—like the TPLF did during its time in power—they become like invasive plants, threatening the diversity and harmony of the region.
To preserve the beauty and balance of this garden, invasive plants must be contained or pruned back. In this analogy, Biltsiginna is the most destructive current plant—one that has invaded and stifled the indigenous growth of Oromo and neighboring cultures.
The Body Analogy: Cancer vs. Harmony
If we imagine Ethiopia as a body instead of a garden, Habesha elites act as cancerous cells—invading and destroying healthy tissue (Oromo identity, language, and culture). While it may be biologically true that all body cells come from a single stem cell, once differentiated, each organ has a specific function. Finding brain cells in the liver would be pathological—and potentially fatal. Similarly, non-integrative elites living in Oromia without speaking Afaan Oromoo or respecting Oromo culture are like malignant cells. They must either integrate or be neutralized.
Ordinary Amhara or Tigrean individuals who live peacefully and respect Oromo culture are not the problem. They are not cancerous—they are benign, and their coexistence is natural and welcome.
Conclusion: Toward a Union of Free Peoples
The healthiest and most sustainable solution is a union of distinct nations, each with its own identity and space—like separate trees in a shared garden. The historical empire in which Habesha elites dominated other cultures must give way to a federated union where all nations live in freedom and mutual respect.
This vision includes not only Ethiopia’s regions—Oromia, Amhara, Tigray, Ogaden, Afar—but possibly also neighboring independent countries like Eritrea, Djibouti, Somaliland, Puntland, and Somalia. All must be united under the principle of self-determination.
Without such respect, no force on Earth can stop oppressed peoples from fighting to eliminate invasive influences or asserting their freedom. A democratic Ethiopia based on AAA—Afàn Oromô, Ängô, and Àdà—will be a transformed Ethiopia: Oropia, a de facto double Oromia.
No wonder the OLF has now chosen democratic Ethiopia over a separate Republic of Oromia.
Galatôma.
Read more:https://orompia.wordpress.com/2023/04/0 ... ic-oromia/