Is Oropia the Oromo Vision for Membership in the East African Federation?
By Fayyis Oromia*
I recently read that Somalia has been accepted as the eighth member of the East African Community, moving the region closer to a potential political federation. It was also mentioned that Ethiopia may be the next candidate. If Ethiopia, under an Oromummaa-led government—effectively becoming “Oropia”—joins this expansive common market, there would be no need to cry over the lack of access to Assab. The ports of Somalia, Kenya, and Tanzania could be utilized with ease. The inclusion of Oropia in this federation would be a God-given blessing for the Oromo people, who are scattered across this part of East Africa. How beautiful it would be to witness the Oromo, like the biblical David, having already defeated a Goliath-like adversary, now planning for a future filled with such hope. I trust that genuine Oromo nationalists in OFC, OLA, OLF, and OPP will overcome the so-called “Hybrids” (those who are mixed—maritally, physically, or ideologically—and are now suppressing legitimate Oromo demands such as placing Finfinne under Oromia, recognizing Afaan Oromo as a federal language, and reintegrating Wallo into Oromia). These Hybrids are no different from the already defeated Habesha elites; it is only a matter of time.
The story of David and Goliath is well-known among the Oromo people from different regions and religions. In brief:
“The Philistine army had gathered for war against Israel. The two armies faced each other, camped on opposite sides of a steep valley. A Philistine giant, over nine feet tall and fully armored, came out each day for forty days, mocking and challenging the Israelites. His name was Goliath. King Saul and the Israelite army were terrified. One day, a young David was sent by his father to bring news of his brothers at the battlefront. While there, he heard Goliath’s insults and saw the fear in Israel’s army. David asked, ‘Who is this Philistine defying the armies of my nation?’ He volunteered to fight Goliath. Though reluctant at first, King Saul allowed it. Armed only with his shepherd’s staff, slingshot, and stones, David faced the giant. Goliath cursed and threatened him. But David responded, ‘You come with sword, spear, and javelin, but I come in the name of my nation. Today, your carcass will be fed to the birds.’ As Goliath approached, David slung a stone, striking him in the forehead. The giant fell, and David took his sword, killed him, and cut off his head. The Philistine army fled in fear, and the Israelites pursued and defeated them.”
This ancient story offers powerful lessons for our struggle:
- Why did they wait forty days before the battle began? Fear of Goliath paralyzed the Israelites, including King Saul. Also, the terrain gave a disadvantage to whoever attacked first. Both sides waited for the other to act. Likewise, for the Oromo people, perhaps we are waiting for the right time and courageous leadership to take decisive action. Could this kind of patience be strategic?
- David’s self-confidence allowed him to see Goliath from a different perspective. While others saw an invincible giant, David saw a mortal man defying a powerful nation. His confidence changed the narrative. Similarly, if we, the Oromo, view our seemingly insurmountable challenges through the lens of our strength and resilience, we can find clarity and courage. When we shift perspective—seeing ourselves not as victims, but as a strong people with a just cause—we can better focus our energy, organize effectively, and win this struggle.
- David was not deterred by insults or fear. As Goliath hurled curses and threats, David did not retreat. He didn’t freeze in analysis or debate—he took action. Likewise, Oromo freedom fighters must focus on action, not only theory. We should prioritize the interests of our oppressed nation over the noise of intimidation, insults, and distractions. For David, only the voice of his people mattered. Do we, today, prioritize the voice of the Oromo people above all else?
- David rejected the King’s armor because it was unfamiliar. Instead, he chose his simple slingshot—his trusted tool. This teaches us that we, the Oromo, should rely on our own skills, knowledge, and tools. We don’t need to “wear the King’s armor.” Self-reliance and using what we know best will bring results in our national liberation struggle.
This leads us to some crucial questions Oromo nationals must ask—both as individuals and collectively as a nation:
Are we currently facing a major, primary “giant” problem, or are we fleeing into minor, internal conflicts with our fellow Oromo?
“Gaara ol bahuu dadhabnee, dalga fiiga jirra?” (Have we failed to climb the hill and instead run sideways on flat ground?) Are we diverting our energy horizontally—into distractions—rather than advancing upward toward freedom?
Let’s pause and refocus. Are we able to see our struggle more clearly from a position of strength? Are we ready to act courageously, even in the face of discouragement and intimidation from our archenemies? Do we have the national self-confidence required to continue this fight for freedom despite repeated setbacks? We must remember: our collective will as a nation is what matters most in this historic journey.
In our context, we can interpret the story of David and Goliath as a metaphor: David represents the Oromo people—a historically oppressed nation that has endured state terrorism and political suppression. Goliath, on the other hand, symbolizes the enemy camp of colonizers and ruling elites—particularly the TPLF and their powerful global supporters.
While some claim that the “small Tigray nation ruled the larger Oromo population,” this claim misunderstands the reality. The TPLF, though small in number, was backed by immense global power—over $4 billion in support from international players, both Western and Eastern. This made the TPLF the true Goliath, while the Oromo nation, with around 40 million people but little structural power, stood as David.
Moreover, the TPLF’s war against the Oromo national liberation movement was not fought with local resources alone. They had massive economic support and psychological warfare tactics. Their propaganda included demoralizing claims such as:
- “The OLF struggled for 40 years without tangible results.”
- “Only 4 million brave Tigrayans ruled over 40 million cowardly Oromo.”
- “A few thousand Tigrayan fighters captured 20,000 Oromo soldiers as prisoners in 1992.”
Even if such claims had some factual basis, what these cadres often ignore is the broader international and regional context. For example, in 1992, the OLA (Oromo Liberation Army) had been disarmed due to peace negotiations, and both Western intelligence agencies and the EPLF militarily aided the TPLF’s offensive. Yet the propaganda continues—discrediting, mocking, and delegitimizing the leaders of the Oromo liberation movement by branding them as traitors or incompetent.
But the truth is this: the Oromo people have resisted foreign-backed oppression not just for the past 150 years, as commonly believed, but for millennia. The invasion of Cushitic lands in Eastern Africa by foreign interests—both political and religious—has long targeted indigenous peoples like the Oromo. The Abyssinian ruling class, historically, functioned as a software programmed by non-African forces to subjugate Cushitic populations.
The most effective strategy used by this Goliath has been “divide and destroy.” The TPLF, as Goliath’s forehead, invested hundreds of millions of dollars to sow discord within the Oromo public and between factions of the OLF. This strategy of fragmentation severely weakened the Oromo liberation movement. Instead of building a strong, unified national front, the beloved OLF splintered into dysfunctional mini-groups—an outcome that served the interest of the enemy
Looking objectively at our national liberation struggle, we see that the Goliath—Abyssinian rulers and their foreign supporters—has repeatedly frustrated our David, the Oromo nation. Multiple episodes throughout history illustrate this:
- The support Amhara warlord Theodros received to attack and subdue the Yejju Oromo rulers in Gondar, leading to the subjugation of the Wallo Oromo.
- The assistance given to Tigray warlord Yohannes to force Wallo Oromos to convert from Islam to Christianity.
- The backing Menelik received to invade and colonize Oromia and other southern nations.
- The sabotage of Prince Iyasu, the Wallo Oromo heir to the imperial throne, to prevent him from becoming emperor.
- The violent suppression of Oromo uprisings in regions such as Raya and Bale, aided by foreign regimes.
- The hijacking of popular Oromo-led revolutions in 1974, 1991, and 2005.
- The systematic isolation of the OLF from the Oromo people by branding it as an exiled or irrelevant organization.
- The creation of pseudo-OLF factions, engineered to confuse the public and weaken the real OLF’s credibility.
Each of these actions was carefully calculated by our Goliath to dismantle Oromo resistance and to maintain control over Oromia and its people.
To counter these repeated attacks and prevent further manipulation, our David—the Oromo nation—must become stronger and more unified than ever before. Here are a few key strategies:
- Strengthen the Oromo national liberation camp through genuine unity among all Oromo freedom fighters.
- Forge alliances with other anti-TPLF national liberation movements, while remaining cautious: the TPLF always works to prevent three things—Amhara-Amhara unity, Amhara-Oromo alliance, and Oromo-Oromo unity.
- Grow stronger both militarily and diplomatically. The international community respects power and coherence. A fragmented movement will be ignored or exploited; a unified front will be respected and feared.
- Bridge the gap between pro-independence and pro-union Oromo factions. This was once our strength, until the split in 2001 (by the pro-independence wing) and in 2012 (by the pro-union wing).
- Act collectively and in unison, like the Israelites marching around the walls of Jericho. The united voice and action of a people can bring down even the most fortified stronghold. In our case, that stronghold is the Hybrid regime currently in power
To overcome the Goliath before us, the Oromo people must pursue unity—not only among individuals, but also across our various political organizations. Whether it’s the OLF, OFC, OPP, or OLA, the shared denominator should be clear: freedom of the Oromo people.
Victory will come not by enforcing one narrow path, but by accepting that different organizations may take different routes to the same destination. Some emphasize self-determination through a referendum, others pursue autonomy within a federal Ethiopia, while others advocate outright independence. Regardless of strategy, these paths converge on one ultimate goal: liberating Oromia from domination and allowing the Oromo people to decide their destiny freely.
We must respect the legitimacy of all routes. Whether pursued from within state structures (like the OPP), through parliamentary opposition (like the OFC), or via armed struggle and grassroots mobilization (like the OLF and OLA), each strategy plays a vital role. What matters most is not the route taken, but the destination: Oromo freedom.
This idea of strategic convergence can be compared to a journey by train, with Djibouti symbolizing the starting point—Oromo under colonial occupation. From there:
- Dire Dawa represents Oromia’s autonomy within a true Ethiopian federation (advocated by pro-union OPP).
- Adama symbolizes Oromia’s independence as a sovereign republic (envisioned by pro-independence OLF).
- Finfinne (Addis Ababa) is the final destination—a supra-national union of free peoples in the Horn of Africa, where all Cushitic nations, including the Oromo, collaborate in equality and dignity.
This vision requires us to see beyond short-term political differences and work together toward long-term liberation. Rather than viewing one path as “right” and others as “wrong,” we must see them as complementary stages of the same journey. Only then can we defeat the Goliath that continues to insult, intimidate, and suppress our people
Regarding the possibility of cooperating with anti-Biltsigina Amhara forces to weaken the Goliath: unfortunately, many Amhara political actors have missed the opportunity to win genuine Oromo support. Why? Because they continue to undermine the right of nations to self-determination, a principle at the heart of the Oromo struggle.
Despite being under the rule of their own “cousins,” many Amhara elites fail to fully grasp what national oppression means. Instead of focusing on their own national liberation, they obsess over the concept of a unified Ethiopia—a state they still dream of dominating. Unless they internalize the legitimacy of national rights and shift from imperial nostalgia to liberation consciousness (like the Eritreans or Oromo have done), they will remain disconnected from the real struggles of the peoples in the Horn. It may take them a century—or longer—to reach that level of political maturity.
In the meantime, the biggest lottery the Hybrid regime (Biltsigina) has won is the manufactured conflict between the Amhara and Oromo peoples. It is easy to ignite conflict between these two major nations, as seen in recent years. The regime’s cadres have worked hard to incite:
- Amhara vs. Amhara conflict
- Amhara vs. Oromo conflict
- Oromo vs. Oromo conflict
They often disguise themselves—pretending to be pro-independence Oromos or unitary Amharas—and then launch attacks on the opposing side, sowing confusion and hatred. Sadly, even some genuine Oromo and Amhara activists have fallen into this trap, unknowingly helping the Hybrid regime by deepening division.
In fact, the original OLF was skilled in using both the independence and union “cards” in its fight against Abyssinian colonialism. The union card served as a carrot, signaling willingness to collaborate with other oppressed nations, while the independence card was the stick, used to demand respect and bargaining power.
Thus, the conflict between pro-independence and pro-union Oromo forces could have been avoided—and still can be—if both sides recognize this strategic flexibility. The OLF doesn’t have to split into opposing camps; instead, it can house both visions within one national movement, working together until the Oromo people themselves decide, through a public referendum, which path to follow
This ongoing struggle for Oromo freedom—our David versus Goliath battle—must continue until we fully achieve both the liberation of the Oromo people and the sovereignty of Oromia. In many ways, we have already won significant victories, but now comes the equally important task: consolidating that victory.
To succeed, our key instruments must be:
- Self-reliance of the Oromo people;
- Smart diplomacy to win regional and international legitimacy;
- Strong military capacity through our vanguard liberation front;
- Unified purpose among all Oromo political routes—whether OPP, OFC, OLF, or OLA.
Above all, each wing of the Oromo political movement must understand this: our common denominator is the freedom of the Oromo people. Whether one advocates for Oromia’s autonomy within Ethiopia, Oromia’s full independence, or Oromia’s role in a larger union of free nations in the Horn of Africa, we must accept that these are not contradictions but strategic options, to be determined by the Oromo public through democratic means.
Let us be very clear about the current political landscape within the Abyssinian empire:
- The unitary Ethiopia envisioned by hardline Amhara elites is obsolete and belongs to the past.
- The pseudo-federalism promoted by Biltsigina (Hybrids) is a decaying system, rapidly losing its grip.
- The true ethnic federation proposed by pro-union Oromo forces like OPP may serve as a transitional framework.
- The independence of Oromia, as envisioned by pro-independence Oromo nationalists, remains indispensable.
- A Union of Free Peoples in the Horn of Africa, where all nations live with dignity and equality, may ultimately be the most lasting and beneficial solution.
Here, we must also distinguish between genuine Oromo unionists and opportunistic collaborators. Pro-union Oromo nationalists who promote Oromia’s autonomy within a reformed federation should not be vilified as traitors—as long as they respect the right to self-determination. Only those who support Biltsigina’s apartheid federalism or advocate a return to Amhara-dominated centralism can rightly be called collaborators.
Therefore, let’s stop deciding prematurely on the future of Oromia. That decision must be left to the Oromo people—through an inclusive public referendum, once Biltsigina is defeated and self-rule is restored. Until then, we must focus all efforts on empowering our David and targeting the true Goliath: the Hybrid regime and its foreign patrons.
If we unite, act wisely, and remain self-reliant, the day will come when Oromo freedom becomes irreversible and Oromia’s future is defined by its people alone. May Waaqa bless and guide the struggle of all Oromo political forces committed to justice and national liberation.
Galatôma.
Read more: https://orompia.wordpress.com/2018/12/1 ... r-goliath/