OLA as a Symbol of Third Generation Oromo Nationalists to Realize Oropia?
By Fayyis Oromia*
There is no question that the Oromo liberation struggle today is against the incumbent salisawi Derg, also known as Biltsigina, which claims to represent the Oromo while trading in their name. The struggles against the monarchy, the qedamawi Derg of Mengistu, and the dagimawi Derg of Meles were clear-cut battles against explicitly Habesha-dominated regimes and thus not confusing. However, the current regime is not explicitly Habesha; rather, it is the implicit rule of Amapianists (elites promoting Amaranet domination), led by Dr. Abiy. Therefore, the Oromo struggle now requires a smart generation capable of adjusting its approach to confront this Amapianist rule in the Finfinné palace.
To that end, we need Oropianists—elites who believe in an Oromummà-led Ethiopia—rather than only the Oromianists of previous generations. The unanswered question remains: Is the OLA the much-needed Oropianist force, evolving from the historically Oromianist OLF? I hope the OLA fighters carry the vision of Oropia (an Oromummà-led Ethiopia), which is nearly twice the size of Oromia, and will prevail over the currently ruling Amapianists in the near future. This is the right moment to think bigger, about the entire Horn of Africa—from Meroe to Mombasa—where Oromo people live, and to adopt an inclusive outlook.
Over the past 50 years, we have observed the evolution of Oromo nationalists:
- 1st Generation (1960s): These nationalists pursued one of the three goals and strongly rejected the other two. For instance, Meison under Halle Fida advocated for an integrative Oropia; Ichat led by Baro Tumsa preferred a federal union; and the OLF under Galàsà Dilbô championed an independent Oromia.
- 2nd Generation (1990s): These nationalists accepted two of the three goals while excluding one. For example, the ONC led by Dr. Merera supported a referendum between integrative Oropia and federal union, rejecting independent Oromia (we can refer to this as an Ethio-referendum). Conversely, the OLF under Ob Daud excluded integrative Oropia and supported a referendum between federal union and independent Oromia (we may call this an Ethno-referendum).
- 3rd Generation (2020s): These nationalists embrace all three options and support a referendum that includes integrative Oropia, federal union, and independent Oromia (Dual-referendum). Some Oromo nationalists in this generation believe there is no disadvantage for the Oromo as long as there is no compromise on the core pillars of Oromummà: ÀAÀ—Àdà (culture), Afàn (language), and Àngô (power)—in both Finfinné palace and across the country.
Will the rest of the Oromo—individuals, organizations, and institutions—adopt this democratic and inclusive approach of the third generation? Is the OLA a symbol of this inclusive generation of Oromo nationalists?
May Wàqa help all Oromo nationalists develop such a forward-thinking and inclusive vision.
Galatôma!
Read more: https://orompia.wordpress.com/2017/06/0 ... thiopia-2/