Ethiopiawinet for Leadership and Oromummaa for Liberation!
There is no question that Oromummaa (ethnic nationalism) was effective in awakening the Oromo people to the liberation struggle—and it was successfully employed for that purpose. Now, however, the time has come to consider Ethiopiawinet(Ethiopian nationalism) as a tool for effective political leadership in the country. That is why it is reasonable that some Oromo nationalists who once emphasized Oromummaa during the liberation period are now focusing on Ethiopiawinet in this new era of governance.
Yet, I believe that many Oromo elites are too honest to be professional politicians. They tend to speak exactly what they intend to do. In contrast, Amhara elites are experienced in political subtlety, much like their Western enablers. Oromo elites tend to either talk and walk in support of Ethiopia, earning the label “Ethiopianists” (though they often act more like “Amharanists”), or talk and walk solely for Oromia to prove their nationalist credentials. Unfortunately, neither approach is constructive in this transitional period.
Advocating for Ethiopia today, without addressing the structural dominance of Amharanet and Amarigna, is essentially sustaining the old imperial model—what some call Amapia. On the other hand, exclusively focusing on Oromia could alienate other groups and hinder cooperative leadership. Amhara elites, by contrast, have mastered the art of talking about Ethiopia while walking for Amapia—ensuring they attract wider support while protecting their own group interests.
Oromo elites must learn to do the same: talk Ethiopia, but walk Oromia—to both lead the federation and serve the legitimate interests of the Oromo people.
Dr. Abiy, in particular, and Oromo elites in general, should embrace a globally known political principle: talk international ethos, but walk national interest. For example, speak of democratic elections, but ensure the protection and promotion of Oromo AAA—Àdà (culture), Afàn (language), and Àngô (power)—within Oropia (an Oromummaa-led Ethiopia), by all necessary means. They must not be naive, as the Abyssinian elites often portray them. The [ deleted ] of Abyssinian elites must be persistently checked and kept away from the Finfinne Palace (Caffé Aràra).
Dr. Abiy’s efforts to promote Oro-garu-mara (a coalition of Oromo, Tegaru, and Amhara elites) should be part of the moral and diplomatic discourse. However, in practice, he must walk in the national interest of the Oromo. Currently, he seems more spiritual than political. Spiritual leaders aim to walk their talk, while politicians typically talk ideals but walk interests.
The transformation of EPRDF into the EPP (Prosperity Party) offers a chance to shift from triangular conflict (Oromo vs. Tegaru vs. Amhara elites) to constructive cooperation. The TPLF has essentially withdrawn from federal politics—choosing a destructive path. However, cooperative Tegaru elites may emerge to reconcile with Oromo and Amhara counterparts.
The Oromo struggle, shaped by the OLF’s vision of bilisummaa (freedom), is making significant progress. The Oro-garualliance (Oromo and Tegaru forces) was necessary to defeat Amhara-led Derg; the Oro-mara alliance (Oromo and Amhara forces) was needed to confront Woyane (TPLF). Now, Oromo elites inspired by the Gadaa system are striving to lead Ethiopia through the principle of Medemer, as introduced by Dr. Abiy.
At the beginning, many from all three major groups (Oromo, Tegaru, and Amhara) supported Dr. Abiy’s reformist agenda. Tegaru elites assumed he would be as pliable as Hailemariam Desalegn, but were soon disappointed. Amhara elites had different assumptions: some hoped he would crush the OLF; others aimed to manipulate him and reclaim power. Some are still banking on election manipulation to displace Oromo leadership. However, they are now confronting a hard truth: the future of Ethiopia—politically and economically—will be Oromo-led. This is why some are working tirelessly to destabilize this emerging reality before it solidifies.
The reality on the ground is that neither the Amhara elite’s assimilative Ethiopia nor the Tegaru elite’s exclusionary Ethiopia will return. The future Ethiopia will be an Oromo-led, inclusive Ethiopia. In such a state, neither Oro-garu nor Oro-mara by themselves are sufficient. The optimal path forward is a triangular cooperation among the three nations (Oro-garu-mara) under Oromo leadership, aimed at mutual benefit. Of course, this cooperation must extend to all other nations and nationalities in Ethiopia.
The current Ethiopian state was forged through the alliance of two Tulama Oromo leaders: the Habeshanized King Menelik and the non-Habeshanized General Gobana. This partnership became known as the Amhara-Oromo alliance. In reality, many Amhara are descendants of Oromo who shifted language (from Afaan Oromo to Amarigna), names (e.g., from Guddisa to Woldemichael), and religion (from Waqeffanna to Orthodox Christianity). A similar process occurred in Agaw-Midir, where many Agaw were assimilated into the Amhara identity.
The mistake of Menelik and Gobana, if viewed retrospectively, was their failure to implement a democratic and inclusive system based on what I call the FADOB Score:
F – Freedom from domination
A – Afaan Oromo as a working language of the federal government
D – Democracy as the foundation of the union
O – “Oropia” as the name of the union instead of “Ethiopia”
B – Black-Red-White as the Cushitic flag of the union
Today, we live in a different era—one of democracy and development. These five points can now be implemented. To achieve that, the legacy of the Italian collaborators (the TPLFites) must be removed. For this reason, the descendants of both Gobana (non-Habeshanized Oromo) and Menelik (Habeshanized Oromo) must unite for a shared goal: freedom from the TPLF system and democracy after dismantling it. In short, an Amhara-Oromo alliance was essential for that struggle. We leave pre-TPLF history to historians and entrust the post-TPLF future to the people. The focus must remain on our collective liberation. A democratic alliance between these two groups was essentially a revised version of the Gobana-Menelik coalition.
Now, Oro-garu-mara cooperation is essential to transform Ethiopia—and even Africa—toward democracy and development. Oromo politicians must practice a politics of magnanimity, welcoming all nations, including the historically dominant Habesha groups. I hope Oromo elites will let go of victimhood and embrace their role as victors. Oromo activists should shift their energy from fighting defeated enemies to advancing the noble cause of a victorious Oromo nation. Let us not waste resources battling a dead horse. Let’s invest in a living, promising future.
In doing so, the Oromo can successfully lead the vital Oro-garu-mara coalition for the shared cause of justice and equality among all peoples in Ethiopia. The EPP could serve as a vehicle for this vision—but can genuine cooperation really happen with the entrenched Abyssinian elite? I have my doubts. That is why I advise Dr. Abiy, and Oromo elites in general, to talk international ethos, but walk national interest. At this critical juncture, let us talk Ethiopia—but walk Oromia.
May Wàqa guide us!
Galatooma!
Read more:https://orompia.wordpress.com/2020/04/2 ... -interest/