Consensus: Finfinne Under Oromia, Afaan Oromo as Federal Language, and Wollo Back to Oromia!
By Fayyis Oromia*
It is encouraging to hear that Dr. Merera, Obbo Dawud, Dr. Abiy, and General Marro are entering negotiations. Surely, they will reach agreement on at least three major Oromo concerns:
- Bringing Finfinne under the administration of Oromia,
- Elevating Afaan Oromo to become the primary working language of the federation—replacing Amharic,
- Returning Wollo, including Raya, to Oromia.
Thanks to Waaqaa, there is now growing consensus among Oromo political forces regarding our shared destination (Kaayyoo). No longer is there serious division between “Ethiopianists” and Oromianists. I have played my part in building this consensus, consistently advocating that Ethiopia, reimagined on Oromo terms, becomes Oropia—a democratic country led by the principles of Oromummaa.
This envisioned Oropia would fulfill three critical objectives:
- Aango Oromo: power in Oromo hands,
- Gadaa Oromo: a modernized Gadaa system adopted nationwide,
- Afaan Oromo: recognized as the primary working language of the federation.
We must claim ownership of this democratic country—de facto Oropia. The best strategy for the Oromo is to take control of power at Finfinne Palace and transform Ethiopia into Oropia. Should other nations, particularly those far from the center, opt for independence, we will then have an independent Oromia as the remaining territory. As the majority nation at the center, the Oromo will be the givers, not receivers, of self-determination.
For example, the two dominant Habesha nations could separate from Oromia—Tigray with Mekelle as its capital, and Amhara with Bahir Dar—if they so choose. If the Oromo hold central power, we can permit them to leave the union. This has been my proposal for years, and it appears that all Oromo forces are now aligning around this approach.
We primarily seek an integrative Oropia. Secondarily, if other nations opt out, we accept an independent Oromia with Finfinne as its capital—much like how Russia retained Moscow after the dissolution of the Soviet Union, or Serbia with Belgrade after Yugoslavia’s breakup.
We all remember the painful stories of Ethiopians suffering in Saudi Arabia. Many Oromo nationalists responded to these abuses in the Gulf with: “We must reclaim our homeland to end Oromo national homelessness.” In contrast, conservative Abyssinian forces used the crisis to push their familiar Ethiopiawinet propaganda, once again targeting Oromo nationalists.
That event reminded us to clearly define the Oromo national goal. Our political objective after achieving national liberation from foreign domination is twofold: an independent Oromia or an integrative Oropia. While this is the general desire of the Oromo people, individuals and organizations may emphasize one or the other.
For instance:
- The OFC supports a union still named Ethiopia, or possibly renamed Oromia.
- The OLF has historically called for an independent Oromia as a UN-recognized state.
Both goals are valid if they are pursued in the context of freedom and democracy. That is why Oromo organizations should unite against the oppressive Biltsigina regime. The struggle must aim at capturing the seat of power—Caffee Araara (CA)—so that tyranny never finds peace again.
There are two legitimate forms of post-liberation sovereignty:
- An independent Oromia as a Gadaa Republic
- An integrative Oropia, where the current fake federation becomes a true union led by Oromummaa
Respecting the will of the people as the highest authority, the Oromo nation has the right to choose one of these options during the self-determination process. Both options are rooted in the same mission: liberation from the Biltsigina regime and the capture of political power.
But how do we capture CA? Can we rely on ritualistic, rigged “elections”? Should we choose nonviolent resistance or armed struggle? The best path is a combination of both. Repeated fraudulent elections have proven that decolonization must precede democratization—we cannot expect genuine change through ballots alone under this repressive system.
A few years ago, Addis Neger Online sparked a debate: “Ethiopian democratization vs. Oromian decolonization.” One writer even called for an “Oromo Obama” or “Oromo Mandela” to solve the region’s problems. Admirable sentiment—but not necessarily aligned with Oromo priorities. While optimistic about elections, the writer overlooked the depth of systemic oppression.
Since 2018, the Biltsigina regime has ruled with an iron fist. Many who fought against the Woyane dictatorship could not have imagined something worse, yet Biltsigina proved otherwise. It now functions as a fascist tool of a single manipulative leader, comparable in cruelty to Hitler or Stalin. While the Prime Minister acts as a puppet, reactionary Amhara elites pull the strings behind the scenes.
Under these conditions, is participating in “elections” a pathway to achieving either Oropia or Oromia? Clearly not. The most recent “election” showcased two classic tools of dictatorship: force and fraud, resulting in near-total control of parliamentary seats—just like Stalin’s or Saddam’s elections.
In multinational states like Ethiopia, elections are more than party contests—they are struggles among nations for power and survival. The dynamic is clear: the colonizers (Amhara and Tigray elites) versus the colonized (primarily Oromo and other oppressed nations).
Europe’s own history shows us that genuine democracy follows national freedom, not the other way around. European states allow their nations to exist freely—why then do they encourage Africans to pursue unity before freedom?
The colonial legacy in Africa left us with unnatural borders: splitting single nations into many states (e.g. Somalia) or cramming many nations into one (e.g. Ethiopia). These conditions make true democracy impossible. The solution? Either establish viable nation-states or ensure genuine ethnic federalism based on consent, not force.
Returning to Oropia’s context: as long as the Abyssinian colonial domination system survives, democratization is just a dream. Biltsigina elites will never voluntarily give up their privilege. Elections only serve as performance—tools for exposure, not transformation. OFC, OLF, Medrek, and CUD have each exposed the system in 1992, 2005, 2010, 2015, and 2021. We do not need more exposure—we need action.
Now is the time for all forces to unite under a shared goal, using three effective tools:
- Civil disobedience
- Armed struggle
- Mass uprising
Participation in elections should only serve to facilitate these methods—not to legitimize a sham process.
To summarize:
- Democratization of an empire is impossible.
- Decolonization must precede democratization.
Only after liberation can nations choose to democratize or unite in an integrative Oropia.
Ultimately, there are two main Oromo liberation strategies:
- Armed struggle for an independent Oromia
- Nonviolent struggle for an integrative Oropia
If these camps cannot fully merge, they must at least coordinate and complement one another. The common ground is:
- Freedom from Biltsigina
- Democracy after Biltsigina
Whether the future brings Oropia or Oromia, both are valid and worthy outcomes. Fortunately, we are now witnessing growing consensus among Oromo elites to prioritize Oropia, while keeping Oromia as a secondary option. May Waaqaa guide us to achieve one—or both—of these noble goals.
Galatôma.
Read more: https://orompia.wordpress.com/2023/04/2 ... to-oromia/