Ethiopian News, Current Affairs and Opinion Forum
OPFist
Member+
Posts: 6533
Joined: 29 Sep 2013, 09:27

Two Identities of Oromo Elites: OLF-ness with a Sovereignty Mindset vs. OPDO-ness with a Servitude Mindset

Post by OPFist » 13 Jun 2025, 02:20

Two Identities of Oromo Elites: OLF-ness with a Sovereignty Mindset vs. OPDO-ness with a Servitude Mindset

By Fayyis Oromia*

Being OLF or OPDO is no longer just about membership in either organization, but about one’s mindset—spiritually aligned either with sovereignty or servitude. Any Oromo with a mindset of bilisummaa (sovereignty) is, de facto, OLF. Conversely, those with a mindset of garbummaa (servitude) align with OPDO.

As a great nation that has endured subjugation for generations, the Oromo people are now represented by two types of elites: those with a servitude mindset (e.g., Abiy Ahmed of OPDO), and those with a sovereignty mindset (e.g., Jawar Mohammed of OLF). The former group represents a deep scar in our society—they have internalized a slave mentality and are always ready to serve the interests of our oppressors. This is why they are currently identified as Pro-Amaranet Elites (PAEs).

We have seen such elites throughout Ethiopian history—during the reigns of Menelik, Haile Selassie, Mengistu, and Meles, and now under Abiy’s rule. These enslaved elites have consistently been used to undermine Oromummaa and the Oromo national struggle. Today, the OPDO elites under Dr. Abiy serve not TPLF, as they once did, but the ANDM—preserving the status quo of Amharanet domination.

In contrast, Oromo nationalists fight for full freedom and sovereignty. The establishment of the OLF in the 1960s marked the beginning of the modern Oromo journey toward self-determination. Since then, millions of Oromo elites have embraced the OLF’s sovereignty mindset, now chiefly represented by Oromo Republicans within OLA, OFC, and OLF.

Since the fall of TPLF, the main political struggle has become one between:
- Oromo Prosperitans with a servitude mindset (doing the bidding of ANDM to preserve Amharanet domination), and
- Oromo Republicans with a sovereignty mindset (promoting Oromummaa to a rightful leading position in an integrative Ethiopia—Oropia).
It is certain: the Republicans who embody freedom and sovereignty will prevail.

It is also encouraging to see that Jawar Mohammed, whom I once criticized harshly, is emerging as a promising leader of the Oromo movement—particularly as Abiy Ahmed continues to disappoint regarding the fulfillment of Oromo aspirations. It is becoming evident that Abiy’s regime is controlled by neo-Naftagna forces, who are deeply hostile to the democratic rights of nations and nationalities. Sadly, Dr. Abiy appears comfortable maintaining Amharanet dominance—whether in the Caffé Aratà (Arat Kilo Palace), in Finfinne, or throughout federal institutions such as the parliament, cabinet, and judiciary.

It would be a positive development if both Lamma Magarsa and Jawar Mohammed were to lead a united and inclusive ethnofederalist OLF—perhaps a merger of OFC and OLF. The transformation of EPRDF into a more inclusive Ethiofederalist Prosperity Party (EPP), originally led by OLF-aligned figures in ODP, was not inherently a bad idea. Like it or not, the OLF’s freedom-focused ideology continues to lead within the federalist camp.

The OLF is evolving:
- From a low-confidence politics (goal: independent Oromia),
- To an intermediate-confidence politics (goal: federal union),
- And toward a high-confidence politics (vision: integrative Oropia).

Neither Ethnofederalism (language-based, including independence) nor Ethiofederalism (geography-based, including integration) is inherently disadvantageous to the Oromo. But Abiy’s neo-Naftagna regime subtly works to preserve the dominance of Amharic-speaking elites—especially in Finfinne and at the national level. Jawar’s advocacy for the right of nations and nationalities to self-rule stands in sharp contrast to this.

I’ve read Jawar’s multiple critiques of Dr. Abiy’s Prosperity Party and its drift toward authoritarianism, and I agree with many of his points. Dr. Abiy seems to be compromising Oromo national interests and obstructing genuine nationalist Oromo Republicans like the OLF from gaining power. Jawar warned him not to gamble at this critical time, rightly noting that only Amharas stand to benefit from the transformation of EPRDF into EPP.

While I disagreed with Jawar’s earlier position on principle, I agreed with his caution on timing. The Oromo have nothing to fear from a future Oropia led by Oromummaa, unlike the past Ethiopia dominated by Amharanet. However, since Amharanet still dominates, ethnofederalism remains more beneficial for the Oromo than ethiofederalism—at least for now.

I also commend Jawar’s recent integrative efforts and principled stance on Oromo national interests. For a while, I followed the conflict between OLF and OPP with concern. How could these two Oromo organizations be so shortsighted as to risk losing the Oromo’s God-given opportunity to liberate themselves—again playing into the hands of historical enemies?

Throughout history, the Oromo’s biggest enemy has often been another Oromo—from the Cushites of the north who adopted Solomonic identities, to later figures like Minilik who led campaigns of de-Oromization. Even during the Derg era, Oromo resistance was crushed by an Oromo-led regime. This historical cycle of internal sabotage continues to this day.

Yet at this crucial moment, I heard Jawar calling for reconciliation and unity between Oromo organizations—essential for consolidating our recent gains.

I don’t personally know Jawar Mohammed. The first article I read by him was a harsh critique of the OLF leadership. Later, he engaged in a public debate with Dr. Messay Kebede. At the time, I was the “Oromo interlocutor” who provoked Messay to write about the OLF and Oromo self-determination. Messay struck me as someone with Oromo heritage but who espouses Amhara-centric views, rejecting the Oromo right to self-determination under the pretext of defending Ethiopian unity.

Others like Robele Ababiya (RIP) followed the same path—biologically Oromo, but mentally Amhara. Many such people are now vocal defenders of the so-called “Ethiopian cause,” which in reality is a front for continued Amharanet dominance.

Jawar was once suspected of being either a TPLF-affiliated saboteur or a naive Oromo misled into echoing enemy propaganda. His earlier writings echoed many of the familiar talking points of TPLF-affiliated trolls:
- Attacking OLF leadership while praising its supporters
- Claiming the OLF was “damaged beyond repair”
- Labeling the OLF “good for nothing”
- Discouraging financial support for OLF
- Opposing OLF-Eritrea cooperation
- Opposing unity between OLF factions
These narratives were not unique to Jawar; they were common strategies employed to weaken the OLF.

If Jawar was genuine, then his major mistake was criticizing Oromo leaders in public forums, making their internal challenges visible to enemies. Criticism is important, but context, tone, and timing matter. The appropriate way for a nationalist to critique leadership is respectfully, constructively, and within safe spaces—not publicly in cyber forums where it can be weaponized by foes.

Now, however, Jawar has matured into a constructive, integrative leader, and for that, I express my gratitude. He has clearly moved beyond fault-finding and toward solution-building. This is what makes leaders.

In summary:
- Jawar has transformed from a divisive critic into a unifying figure.
- Abiy Ahmed is failing to fulfill the hopes of the Oromo and instead sustaining Amharanet domination.
- The OLF remains an enduring force in the Oromo nationalist movement.
- Internal unity among Oromo organizations is critical.
- The future belongs to Oromo Republicans with a sovereignty mindset.

Thank you, Waaqaa, for Jawar’s transformation!

Galatooma!
Read more:https://orompia.wordpress.com/2020/04/2 ... biy-ahmed/