OFC, OLA, OLF, and OPP to Agree on Fostering Oropia (Oromummà-Led Ethiopia)!
By Fayyis Oromia*
All of us are eagerly awaiting the outcome of the ongoing negotiations between OFC, OLA, OLF, and OPP. I believe it is long overdue, as nowadays, almost all genuine Oromo nationalists agree on fostering Oropia (an Oromummaa-led Ethiopia), whether with or without Oromia as a distinct state. It is already clear that, moving forward, Ethiopia will legitimately be under the leadership of Oromummaa.
The ongoing complaints from some Amhara elites cannot reverse this shift. It appears that Dr. Abiy is coming back to his senses and returning to his Oromo constituency. His attempt to appease the Neo-Naftagna forces has already backfired. The [ deleted ] Amhara elites tried to use him, just as they did with Mengistu Hailemariam. To some extent, they succeeded — using him to crack down on both Oromo and Tigrayan nationalists. Ultimately, they also turned against Dr. Abiy himself and his Oromo-led Prosperity Party. Now, they are openly in conflict with him and all his Oromo supporters. Their current attack on him and the entire Oromo nation is their biggest miscalculation yet. The consequences will not favor them.
In the end, they will lose, and the Oromo will rightfully attain leadership of the entire country — while also ensuring equality among all nations and nationalities in the envisioned Rainbow Oropia. The future Oropia will be democratic, potentially adopting a modernized Gadaa system, in which all cultures and languages are proportionally represented (Afaan Oromoo 40%, Agawigna 20%, Amharigna 10%, Af-Somaali 6%, Tigrigna 5%, Sidaamu Afoo 4%, Guragigna 3%, Qafaara Afa 2%, Wolaytigna 1%, etc.).
Looking back to July 2009, it was a week of major Oromo events in Atlanta, Georgia: sports, political, cultural, religious, and social gatherings — even matchmaking among Oromo youth. Let me focus on the political meetings and offer a brief reflection on the significance of the festival. There is no question that the Oromo national goal — self-determination — is now widely accepted by almost all Oromo political organizations.
Some non-Oromo politicians try to promote a “third way,” like the renegade opposition leader Mr. Lidetu Ayalew. These individuals neither support an independent Oromia nor an integrative Oropia, but rather propose a version of Ethiopia in which Oromo people should merely accept being “Ethiopians” in a superficial sense — without any form of autonomy for the Oromo region. Even some Oromo politicians suggest that we are at a crossroads between two visions: an independent Oromia (600,000 sq. km) or an integrative Oropia (1,130,000 sq. km).
I recently saw a picture on the Gadaa website featuring a question originally raised by Burqaa magazine: “Eessa deemaa jirraa?” (Where are we going?). This question suggests that we are standing at a crossroads, choosing between two goals: the establishment of an independent Oromia or the fostering of Oropia as a democratized common homeland.
I disagree with this framing. I do not believe the Oromo nation is at a crossroads between two goals. Rather, we have always had one clear objective: self-determination. Whether through a sovereign Oromia or a self-governing Oropia, our direction is liberation. Oromia can choose — via referendum — to remain in a union with neighboring nations or to stand independently. However, some Oromo leaders in OFC and OLF present ideas like “autonomous Oromia within a united Ethiopia” — not as compromises, but as tactical approaches. The OPP uses similar rhetoric to avoid confrontation with the Habesha establishment. The OFC avoids jeopardizing its legal status, and some OLF factions present these ideas to appease international stakeholders (such as the U.S.) who prefer a united Ethiopia for their own strategic interests.
Still, our ideological core — the OLF spirit — continues to guide the Oromo freedom movement across three coordinated levels:
- OPP (Ruling Party): Aims to preserve the status quo of limited cultural autonomy and prevent regression to the pre-1991 era, when Oromia didn’t exist and Afaan Oromoo was not officially used.
- OFC (Opposition Party): Strives to achieve genuine autonomy for Oromia within a true federal union, free from alien domination. This is a transitional step toward full independence, should the people choose it.
- OLF Proper (Liberation Front): Committed to achieving full national self-determination — through democratic means or armed struggle — enabling the Oromo to choose between Oromia and Oropia. Naturally, no rational people would choose the smaller over the larger if both ensure dignity and freedom.
This multi-track movement is understandably alarming to our adversaries. Genuine Oromo within the OPP and OFC are driven by the OLF mindset. While OPP leaders may publicly claim that Oromos are already liberated, they continue to work silently toward full liberation. OFC leaders may speak of unity, but their actions aim at securing Oromia’s freedom within Oropia. Habesha elites are confounded. What can they do — eliminate every Oromo from every walk of life?
For the Oromo nation, our goal (Kaayyoo) is clear — and for many, it is as sacred as Waaqa (God). The only real differences between Oromo political factions lie in the path to the goal, speed of progress, and post-liberation sovereignty options:
- An independent Oromia (Galaasa Dilbo’s vision)
- A federal union with autonomy (Leenco Lataa’s vision)
- An integrative Oropia (geographic-based federation, Haile Fida’s vision)
Gadaa.com and Burqaa magazine should have asked:
“Karaa eessaa gara kaayyoo teenyaatti deemaa jirraa?” (Which path are we taking to reach our goal?)
Or: “Eessa dafnee kaayyoo teenyaatti fiiguu dandeenya?” (How can we reach our goal faster?)
Or: “Kaayyoo booda eenyummaa keenya akkamitti murteessina — Oromia moo Oropia?” (After achieving our goal, how will we define our sovereignty — as Oromia or Oropia?)
These are the questions that should guide both Oromo gatherings, such as those in Atlanta, Georgia, and the ongoing negotiations between OLA under Gen. Marro and OPP under Dr. Abiy. In essence, the Oromo are progressing toward Caffee Araaraa (freedom) via three routes:
- The rebel path of the OLA
- The opposition route of the OFC
- The regime approach of the OPP
We are not standing at a crossroads — we are marching forward, steadily and strategically.
Once liberated, the people will choose between the three post-freedom options. Personally, I advocate for the Oromo to assume our rightful leadership within a democratic, inclusive, and multicultural Rainbow Oropia. Hopefully, this will be the outcome of the negotiations between the OLA and OPP — and we await it with great anticipation.
Galatooma!
Read more: https://orompia.wordpress.com/2023/04/3 ... -ethiopia/