Mereja.Forum

[OPFist]

Thanks to the OLF, the Abyssinian Empire Is Pregnant with Oromia and/or Oropia!

Fayyis Oromia*

The 150-year-old Abyssinian Empire became pregnant by the very potent Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) about 50 years ago. Now, this “mother empire” is carrying a child—or perhaps twins—in her womb. What remains unclear is whether the fetus is Oromia, Oropia (an Oromummaa-led Ethiopia), or a twin of the two.

At present, the Oromo people are divided into three groups based on our vision of the baby to be born in the near future. Some nationalists wish to see an independent Oromia; others favor the birth of twins—an Oromia within a federated Ethiopia; and a few are striving to transform the current Amharanet-dominated Ethiopia (Amapia) into an integrated Oropia. Hence, the three visions within the Oromo community are:
- An independent Oromia,
- A federal union (the twin), and
-An integrated Oropia.
Which baby do you prefer to see: Oromia, Oropia, or the twin? One thing is certain: the Abyssinian Empire is in the delivery room, preparing to give birth to one of these three possibilities.

Historical Context of the Three Visions

Independence is typically sought by minorities at the periphery, a federal union is often preferred by minorities closer to the center, and integration is generally the vision of the majority in a diverse country.

The first vision—kaayyoo ganama (early goal)—was raised by Oromo nationalists when we were most insecure, advocating full independence.
The second vision—kaayyoo guyyaa (current goal)—has gained favor now that we’ve become somewhat more secure, envisioning a federated union.
The third vision—kaayyoo galgala (future goal)—could emerge when we are fully confident in our security and political strength, promoting full integration and leadership in a united Ethiopia.
Thus, the three stages of Oromo political aspiration can be understood as:
- Former: Struggle for independence (White Flag),
- Present: Movement for union (Red Flag),
- Future: Politics of integration (Black Flag).
Structural Composition of the Oromo Liberation Movement

Today, the Oromo liberation movement consists of two wings and a backbone, each representing key positions in the fight for freedom:
- One wing advocates transforming all of Ethiopia, potentially renaming the country Oromia and promoting Afaan Oromo as the federal language. However, it downplays the necessity of self-rule for the Oromo national area.
- The backbone pushes for an independent Oromia, envisioned as a powerful actor in the Horn of Africa.
- The other wing seeks to liberate Oromia within an Oropian union, envisioning it as a leading nation-state in a restructured Ethiopia.

Though divided in approach, all three factions recognize a common enemy and are attempting to coordinate their efforts. Unfortunately, there is no single organization representing and harmonizing all three factions. Still, this plurality of visions suggests that Oromo liberation—in one of the three forms—is inevitable, and none of the potential outcomes would be disadvantageous to the Oromo people.

Historical Narratives and Their Influence

These three political paths stem from how Oromo people interpret history:
- Only common proud history with Abyssinia (e.g., the Adwa victory),
- Only conflicting parallel history (e.g., Menelik’s invasion and the so-called “Oromo expansion”),
A combination of both proud and conflicting histories.
These interpretations result in three visions of future sovereignty. If we are to reach freedom efficiently, despite these different views, we must first unite against the current system of domination, and only then choose one path through a democratic process.

Comparative Liberation Models

Each vision corresponds with an international model of liberation:
- Leencoo Group (mixed history approach): favors the Anglican model. Like the English who freed themselves from Roman rule, formed England, and later the United Kingdom, Oromia could become an autonomous region united with others in a United Kush (Ethiopia)—with Afaan Oromo as a federal working language.
Galassa Group (conflict-based history): prefers the Russian model. Similar to how Russian elites dismantled the Soviet Union to establish the Russian Federation, they envision dismantling the Abyssinian Empire to form an independent and influential Oromia.
Fidaa Movement (shared history): supports the Indian model. Just as India united diverse nations and adopted Hindi as a federal language, the Oromo could unite the peoples of Ethiopia under a new federation called Oropia or Oromia, with regional autonomy and Afaan Oromo as the working language.
Oromo Advantage and Sovereign Choice

Oromo people are in a uniquely advantageous position. While elites from Amhara, Tigray, and Eritrea have each been limited to a single political option, the Oromo majority can realistically choose any of the three:
- Amhara elites cling to the Indian model due to Amharic’s federal dominance.
- Eritrean elites, as a periphery minority, sought separation (Russian-style).
- Tigrayan elites, unable to dominate language or sustain independence, opt for the Anglican model.
But Oromo people, as a demographic and geographic majority, have access to all three democratic models—provided the rules of the game are freedom and democracy.

So, let us leverage this advantage and work with all pro-democracy forces to create the conditions necessary for a referendum, where the Oromo public can freely choose the form of sovereignty they desire.

Final Thought

As far as I’m concerned, none of the three visions is harmful. What matters most is that the politically conscious Oromo people make the decision via a fair and democratic process.

This essay is a bitter pill for those who delight in the perceived division of the Oromo liberation movement. For them, here’s the truth: the movement has always had one goal—freedom—which manifests in three potential types of sovereignty, played like cards depending on the circumstances.

Thanks to the potent father OLF, the fertile mother Abyssinian Empire is pregnant with Oromia and/or Oropia. It is only a matter of time before we witness the birth.

May Waaqa grant us the patience to wait and see.

Galatooma!
Read more:https://orompia.wordpress.com/2023/04/2 ... or-oropia/

[Odie]

Another garbage poster, like Beqala/horus
Your post stinks too
No body will get a courage to read your post. Neither DDT, Yimer, Axumkizenam, Naga Tuma, NOR Baqala/Hodus I actually hate your post beginning from your titles. But you right to po op in the forum-it is mini-democracy

[OPFist]

Though divided in approach, all three factions recognize a common enemy and are attempting to coordinate their efforts. Unfortunately, there is no single organization representing and harmonizing all three factions. Still, this plurality of visions suggests that Oromo liberation—in one of the three forms—is inevitable, and none of the potential outcomes would be disadvantageous to the Oromo people.