Mereja.Forum

[OPFist]

Oromo’s Future Goal with High Confidence: Oropia (Oromummà-Led Ethiopia) Through Geo-Federation

By Fayyis Oromia*

It is fascinating to observe the shifting political roles between Amhara and Oromo elites. Amhara elites, who historically championed unitarism, are now gradually transitioning from geo-federation through ethnic federalism toward advocating for an independent Amhara state. In contrast, Oromo elites—who began their struggle about 50 years ago by demanding an independent Oromia due to a lack of political confidence—are now evolving toward broader visions.

The idea of independent Oromia was strongly advocated by Obbo Galaasa Dilbo and the OLF during the early stages of the Oromo national struggle. Today, as we develop an intermediate level of political confidence, many Oromo leaders and intellectuals are embracing the vision of ethnic federation—an idea most prominently associated with Dr. Leenco Lata and the OFC. Looking ahead, with a growing sense of national confidence, we may aspire to an integrative and unified Oropia—an Oromummaa-led Ethiopia—with Afàn Oromô as the primary working language of the country. This idea, once envisioned by Dr. Haile Fida, is now gaining traction among some Oromo elites.

This vision of Oropia could take the form of geo-federation, in which large regions like Amhara, Oromia, Somali, and the Southern Nations are subdivided into smaller federal units. Personally, I would recommend a democratic Oropia, using Afaan Oromo as the primary working language, with the following proposed federal regions:
1. Afar – Semera (Qafar Af)
2. Tigray – Maqelle (Tigrigna, Erob, Kunama)
3. Bejamidir – Gondar (Amharic, Qemant)
4. Gojjam – Bahir Dar (Amharic, Agaw)
5. Wollo – Dessie (Amharic, Afàn Oromô, Argobba, Agaw)
6. North Shoa – Debre Berhan (Amharic, Afàn Oromô)
7. Benishangul – Metekel (Berta, Gumuz, Shinasha, Mao, Afàn Oromô)
8. Gambella – Gambella (Anuak, Nuer, Afàn Oromô)
9. Wollega – Naqamte (Afàn Oromô)
10. Illu Abba Bora & Jimma (Afàn Oromô)
11. Shagar/Shoa – Oromo heartland (Afàn Oromô)
12. Hararge & Dire Dawa (Afàn Oromô, Harari)
13. Arsi & Bale (Afàn Oromô)
14. Borana & Guji (Afàn Oromô)
15. Sidama (Sidamu Afô, Gedeo)
16. Wolayta (Wolaytta language)
17. Omo (Gamo, Gofa, others)
18. Southwest – (Kefficho, Dawro, Shekacho)
19. South Shoa (Gurage, Silt’e, Hadiyya, Kambata, Yem, Halaba)
20. Isa – Jigjiga (Af-Sômàli)
21. Ogaden – Gode (Af-Sômàli)
22. Garre – Liban zone (Af-Sômàli, Afàn Oromô)
23. Finfinne – Federal Capital (Afàn Oromô, Amharic)

To realize this vision, the OLF must demonstrate flexibility. The struggle for an independent Oromia was crucial during the liberation era. Emphasizing a federal union is appropriate for the current transitional period. However, promoting an integrative Oropia will be essential for the OLF to take political leadership within Ethiopia and potentially across the Horn of Africa. To succeed in this role, the Oromo movement must strategically reclaim and reframe the following symbols historically monopolized by Abyssinian elites:
- Andinet (Unity)
- Ethiopianism (Ethiopiawinet)
- The Green-Yellow-Red Flag
- Orthodox Christianity (as part of shared heritage)
- Proud historical moments (e.g., the Battle of Adwa)
- Citizenship-based politics (Zeginet)
- Amharic as a second language after Afàn Oromô
Appropriating these elements in Oromo terms is key to neutralizing vocal, pro-Amhara elites and winning support from other nations and nationalities.

The Three Stages of Oromo Political Evolution; Oromo elites have historically pursued three strategic approaches, based on the political environment and confidence levels at different times:
- Low Confidence (Past) – Aimed for an independent Oromia (Galàsà Dilbo & OLF): Focused on resisting the Derg and seeking full sovereignty.
- Intermediate Confidence (Present) – Advocates for a true multinational federation (Léncô Latà & OFC): Promotes self-rule within a shared democratic structure.
- High Confidence (Future) – Envisions an integrative Oropia (Haile Fida’s model): A geo-federated Ethiopia with Afàn Oromô as the central language and Oromo leadership at its core.

The Historical Narrative and Sovereignty Models; The Oromo liberation movement contains three views on history, which shape three visions of sovereignty:
- Conflict-Only Narrative → Russian Model; Oromia becomes independent and powerful like post-Soviet Russia; Advocated by some OLF members.
- Mixed Narrative (Pride & Conflict) → British Model; Oromia becomes autonomous and federates with neighboring regions, like England in the UK; This aligns with the OFC’s federal vision.
- Common Proud History → Indian Model; Oromia leads in uniting Ethiopia (Oropia), similar to Hindi-speaking regions leading India’s unification; Promoted by proponents of Haile Fida’s integrative federalism.

Conclusion; The common denominator in all three Oromo political approaches has always been the fight for freedom from Abyssinian domination and the establishment of democracy. From there, the people can decide—through referendum—whether they want:
- Galàsà Dilbo’s independent Oromia
- Léncô Lata’s federal union
- Haile Fida’s integrative Oropia

These visions correspond to the three phases of Oromo revolutionary confidence:
- Kàyyô Ganamà (Initial Goal) – Independence (Low Confidence)
- Kàyyô Guyyà (Pragmatic Goal) – Federalism (Intermediate Confidence)
- Kàyyô Galgalà (Ultimate Goal) – Integrative Oropia (High Confidence)
Indeed, the Oromo revolution for freedom is evolving—from seeking an independent Oromia, to coexisting in a federation, and ultimately aspiring to lead a united Oropia. May Wàqa guide us on this journey toward full political confidence and leadership.

Galatômà!
Read more:https://orompia.wordpress.com/2023/06/1 ... ederation/

[Abere]

At least you could have scribbled like the follwoing in red, although I do not approve it. Amharic is the national language of the country. Every tribe speaks Amharic. There is no need to reinvent the wheel and waste the country's precious resource to create new national language and take 1,000 years - translate 1,000 years how many generations does this mean
Oromigan cannot be realistically the national language of the country, until the cows come home and sh!t like you did on this forum . Never that happens until the end of the world.

1. Afar – Semera (Amharic, Qafar Af)
2. Tigray – Maqelle (Amharic, Agaw, Tigrigna, Erob, Kunama)
3. Bejamidir – Gondar (Amharic)
4. Gojjam – Bahir Dar (Amharic)
5. Wollo – Dessie (Amharic)
6. North Shoa – Debre Berhan (Amharic)
7. Benishangul – Metekel (Amharic, Berta, Gumuz, Shinasha, Mao
8. Gambella – Gambella (Amharic, Anuak, Nuer, Afàn Oromô)
9. Wollega – Naqamte (Afàn Oromô, Amharic)
10. Illu Abba Bora & Jimma (Amharic, Afàn Oromô)
11. Shoa – (Amharic, Guragigna, Kembata, Hadiya, Tigrigna, Afàn Oromô)
12. Hararge & Dire Dawa (Amharic, Somaligna, Aderi, Afàn Oromô)
13. Arsi & Bale (Amharic, Guragigna, Somaligna, Afàn Oromô)
14. Borana & Guji (Amharic, Gedio, Afàn Oromô)
15. Sidama (Wolayta, Amharic, Guragigna, Sidamu Afô, Gedeo)
16. Wolayta (Amharic, Kembata, Hadiya, Gurage, Wolaytta language)
17. Omo (Amharic, Gamo, Gofa, others)
18. Southwest – (Amharic, Kefficho, Dawro, Shekacho)
19. South Shoa (Amharic, Gurage, Silt’e, Hadiyya, Kambata, Yem, Halaba)
20. Isa – Jigjiga (Amahric, Af-Sômàli)
21. Ogaden – Gode (Amharic, Af-Sômàli)
22. Garre – Liban zone (Amharic, Af-Sômàli, Afàn Oromô)
23. Finfinne Addis Ababa– Federal Capital (Amharic,Guragigna, Tigrigna, others, Afàn Oromô)