Ethiopia as Amapia is Dying, But as Oropia, It is Growing!
By Fayyis Oromia*
There is no doubt that Ethiopia is slowly but surely changing its color—from being Amapia (Amharanet-dominated) to Oropia (Oromummaa-led). I believe Oromo elites made a lazy compromise over the past six years just to accommodate the feelings and needs of Amhara elites following the seemingly constructive Oromara movement. The [ deleted ] Amhara elites used this magnanimous approach as an opportunity to regroup and launch an offensive against “Onegawinet,” “Galla migration,” and “Oromummaa.” These three are now seen as their primary enemies.
By taking such a misguided position, the Fano movement not only turned Qeerroos but the entire Oromo people into enemies. How could sound-minded Amhara intellectuals make such a grave mistake? “Onegawinet” (a reference to OLF) is a symbol of Oromo freedom. “Galla migration” is a derogatory rhetoric concocted by past Amhara feudal lords, and shockingly, their modern descendants have repeated the same offense. Making Oromummaa—the natural, God-given identity of the Oromo—an enemy is the most illogical formulation produced by any group of Amhara intellectuals in this 21st century.
Now, Oromo elites must stand their ground, abandon this lazy compromise, and take bold steps to promote Oropia on the grave of the still-persistent Amapia. The key to this transformation is to boldly promote Afaan Oromo as the legitimate primary working language of federal institutions like the palace and parliament, replacing Amharic.
These days, we see Amharanist elites—led by Abiy Ahmed—coaxing Oromo artists into singing about Ethiopiawinet, the green-yellow-red flag, and Andinet (unity). But is this the right time to sing about Ethiopiawinet? I don’t think so. Ethiopiawinet still equates to Amharanet as long as Amharic remains the dominant language in the palace, government, and parliament. This status quo is upheld by Abiy Ahmed’s Amharanist regime, which has effectively silenced the voices of Oromianists fighting for Afaan Oromo to be a federal working language.
To push Amhara elites out of the political game, Oromo forces must hijack and instrumentalize the three agendas often used by them: identity (Ethiopiawinet), the flag (green-yellow-red), and the ideology (unitarism). But before doing so, Oromo elites must fulfill three key preconditions:
- Consolidate power (ango) in the Finfinne palace.
- Promote Afaan Oromo as the primary language of the federation.
- Foster Oromo culture (adaa) across the country.
After meeting these conditions, the Oromo can sing about Ethiopiawinet, carry the green-yellow-red banner, and even accept unitarism—but only on Oromo terms. By reclaiming these cherished Amhara symbols and redefining them, we can render their political relevance obsolete. To bury Amapia permanently, the Oromo should encourage the Agaw revival among Gojjam, Lalibela, and Gondar communities, and inspire those in Shoa, Wollo, and Gondar to reclaim their Oromo identity.
The Oromo have struggled against Abyssinian domination for over a century. Today, that dominance is nearly gone, and the Oromo are poised to lead the transformation from Abyssinian Empire to Ethiopian Union. Yet, many still hold a liberation-only mindset rather than one geared toward leadership. The liberation mindset centers on Oromo nationalism and a rejection of Abyssinian culture. In contrast, the leadership mindset requires inclusion and the promotion of a common identity for all peoples—a Cushitic Ethiopian identity.
Even the two Habesha nations, Amhara and Tigray, should rediscover their Cushitic roots, which they’ve denied due to their affiliation with “Solomonism.” Now is the time for Oromo politics to be magnanimous and inclusive. It’s surprising to see some Oromo activists still “struggling against Amhara assimilationists”—as if the Amhara elites or Tigrayan hegemonists are still the main obstacles to Afaan Oromo becoming a federal language. In reality, it is the ruling Oromo party, OPP, that has delayed implementation. Why? Lack of will? Strategy? Only OPP leaders—and God—know the answer.
What we now need is leadership quality—to lead both the Oromo and other nations toward full freedom, equality, and sovereignty. Oromummaa is still vital for liberation. Ethiopiawinet, however, will serve as the tool for asserting leadership across the country.
From Cushland to Oropia
Ethiopia is just one corner of Cushland in northeastern Africa, home to many Cushitic nations. Some in the north have been Abyssinianized through Semitic influence; others in the south, Bantunized; and those in the east, Arabized. But at the core lies Oromia—still preserving the values of the proto-Oromo (the Cush).
This proto-Oromo identity has been under pressure for millennia. The Abyssinian push southward led to the occupation of large parts of Oromia until the 16th-century Oromo-led liberation, mischaracterized as the “Oromo migration.” Peace lasted for roughly 300 years until the European “Scramble for Africa,” in which Emperor Menelik re-conquered Oromia. Whether the Oromo were participants or victims of the empire is debated. Still, the historical fact is clear: the Oromo suffered under Abyssinian oppression.
The Oromo resistance took both sporadic and organized forms. Two main approaches emerged among Oromo elites:
- Liberation of Oromia from the empire.
- Transformation of the empire into a union, often called democratization.
Some organizations pursued independence, others integration, but both shared the goal of Oromo freedom. Unfortunately, antagonism between the two visions has divided Oromo nationalists. This polarization is counterproductive.
The V-Minded vs. Y-Minded Paradigm
Imagine two letters: V and Y. In the V-model, three forces dominate each corner—Abyssinian hegemonists, dictatorial Oromo independencists, and dictatorial integrationists. All demand their vision be fulfilled unconditionally. This toxic dynamic keeps Oromo forces divided and weak, to the benefit of the Abyssinian status quo.
Now imagine the Y-model. At the bottom is the shared condition of oppression. The middle junction is freedom, a common short-term goal. From there, the paths diverge: the left arm leads to independence (Oromia), and the right arm to integration (Oropia). Both are valid long-term visions. The two camps can travel together toward freedom, then let the people choose the ultimate path via referendum.
So, who are V-minded thinkers? They are the unbending ideologues—Amhara hegemonists, Oromo secessionists, and unitary federalists—who prioritize ideology over pragmatism.
Y-minded thinkers, by contrast, see freedom as the shared path, and view both independence and integration as democratic outcomes to be chosen by the people.
What’s Next? Independent Oromia or Integrative Oropia?
There are two legitimate outcomes for the Oromo struggle:
- Independent Oromia
- Integrated Ethiopia (Oropia)
Oromo integrationists often avoid stating their goal explicitly, fearing backlash. But if they envision a democratic Ethiopia where Afan Oromo thrives, they must advocate for Oropia. If the name “Ethiopia” is to be retained, it should reflect this new Oromo-led, democratic identity.
To achieve either vision, Oromo forces must unite around their shared fight against tyranny. Unfortunately, many scholars and leaders continue to antagonize the two Oromo camps instead of building alliances. Whether intentional (DiGa – smart enemy) or unintentional (FiGo – misguided friend), this antagonism serves Abyssinian interests.
Integrators view both independence and integration as two sides of freedom. The true enemy is the divide-and-conquer strategy of the Abyssinian elite. Unfortunately, some Oromo activists fall into this trap and amplify internal divisions.
Final Thoughts
Every step toward freedom and democracy brings us closer to self-rule of Oromia—within or without Ethiopia. The global tide favors justice and self-determination. Oromo freedom fighters in both camps must unite in this first phase—the Freedom Phase—alongside non-Oromo democrats. In the second phase—the Sovereignty Phase—the people will decide their future.
May Waaqa help Oromo nationalists work together in the Freedom Phase, and may He guide the nation in choosing between:
- Independent Oromia, or
- Integrated Oropia
Personally, I prefer the latter. That’s why I urge Oromo elites to embrace a leadership mindset, not just a liberation mindset. Now is not the time to overly instrumentalize Ethiopiawinet—as long as it still means Amharanet. This is the time to fight for Afaan Oromo as the primary language of Oropia!
Galatôma!
Read more:https://orompia.wordpress.com/2019/06/0 ... -ethiopia/