Both Dr. Léncô and Dr. Mararà Imply that Democratizing Ethiopia Is Tantamount to Fostering Oropia!
By Fayyis Oromia*
I once listened to two interviews given by Dr. Léncô Latà and Dr. Merera Gudina. Both of them emphasized that in a democratized Ethiopia, the Oromo people and Oromummà would assume a leading role—due to our demographic majority, significant economic contributions, and geographically central position. With this assertion, they are essentially implying that democratization of Ethiopia is tantamount to the rise of “Oropia”—a country led by Oromummà.
Therefore, the primary goals that Oromo forces must agree upon are:
- The democratization of Ethiopia, and
- The promotion of Afàn Oromô as a primary working language of the federation, replacing Amharic.
Anti-Oromo forces understand this reality very well, which is why they act dictatorially to block the democratization process. Personally, I would like to encourage Oromo nationalists to unite in the struggle for democracy and freedom so that we may fully own our gross salary—Oropia—instead of naively settling for our net salary—Oromia.
The era of merely fighting for recognition of the Oromo identity and for Oromia’s sovereignty is nearing its end. Today, Abyssinian political domination over Oromia is effectively over. Thanks to the Oromo movement, the Abyssinian-dominated Ethiopia is gone, and an Oromo-led Ethiopia is emerging.
Going forward, Oromia’s politics must become more inclusive and accommodating. It is time for the Oromo to focus on Ethiopian national politics—beyond asserting only Oromia and Oromummà. We must begin to walk the talk of democratizing and transforming Ethiopia.
The colonial narrative has served its purpose: mobilizing the Oromo people toward freedom. Now, a Cushitic narrativemay better promote a more integrative and optimal sovereignty. While politics of resistance and hate once had their place in motivating the masses, now is the time for the politics of love and unity, to ensure national stability. The Oromo, in a leadership role, must be magnanimous and farsighted. A democratic Ethiopia will, in essence, be Oropia—a reality that better serves Oromo interests than merely decolonizing Oromia.
Surprisingly, the TPLF, which we once resented, ruled us with brute force for a quarter of a century. Our scattered and disjointed resistance failed for a long time. The main reason for this failure was the lack of cooperation between the two major opposition blocs:
- The pro-self-rule liberation fronts, and
- The pro-shared-rule unity forces.
We all know this problem. Let’s now focus on a shared solution for a shared future. First, I suggest that we agree on a common citizenship and cultural identity:
- “Oromian” as a synthesized identity, blending being Ethiopian (citizenship) and Oromo (culture).
- Until now, we have viewed these identities as contradictory. It’s time to reconcile them.
This approach—equating Ethiopia with Oropia, or using the two names interchangeably—can help resolve the controversy around the term “Ethiopia”:
- Ethio-nationalists value the name for its biblical roots and its link to the ancient Cushitic kingdom.
- Ethno-nationalists reject it due to its association with Habesha dominance and Christian imperial history.
- Some people from both sides are ambivalent, seeking a pragmatic approach.
It’s time to work on a common solution for our common political problem. The TPLF has already shown its uncompromising desire to cling to power—claiming to have “won” the election 100%, which even President Obama came to endorse, simply to secure U.S. geopolitical interests in the region.
Whether we liked it or not, the only way to dismantle that apartheid system was by forging unity of purpose. This unity didn’t need to be structural—it could have been a functional alliance, focused on one goal: removing the TPLF regime, symbolized by Caffé Aràrà (Arat Kilo).
It was pointless to argue whether non-violent or per-violent (i.e. armed) struggle was better. As Oromians (Ethiopians), we could accommodate both strategies. Individually or organizationally, we could pursue either path without condemning the other.
We also had to stop dividing ourselves over historical grievances or hypothetical futures. Let historians analyze pre-Woyane history, and let the people decide the post-Woyane direction. Our focus had to be on the current fight for freedom.
To be effective, we reduced empty rhetoric and increased strategic thinking. We lived the truth that “action speaks louder than words.” Practical commitment mattered more than endless debates.
Here are some concrete actions we needed to take:
- End infighting between anti-Biltsigina forces.
- Forge a deliberate alliance and preserve existing default coalitions.
- Encourage diaspora to return—whether via Bole (for peaceful struggle) or Bale (for armed resistance).
- Shift the diaspora’s role to that of supporters, not primary decision-makers—offering the essential 3Ms: money, media, and military backing.
- Prioritize underground activity at home, to avoid exposing key figures during fake elections.
- Reconcile self-rule and shared-rule ideologies, rather than pitting them against one another.
In short, the struggle required endurance like a marathon, not the exhaustion of a sprint. We reminded ourselves: “Unallied we fail; united we prevail.”
The TPLF understood this better than we did. Meles Zenawi once said, “The TPLF has a historic advantage to rule for a century because of the Amhara-Oromo conflict.” Sadly, he was right. Oromo and Amhara elites distrusted each other more than they opposed the TPLF. They remained trapped in a pre-1991 mindset, while the nation’s reality had evolved.
Eventually, a choice had to be made: cooperate and be free together, or remain divided and be ruled under an ethnic apartheid system for another century.
Fortunately, we chose cooperation. ADP and ODP united to oust the TPLF from Finfinne Palace. These two major parties could push forward the agenda of democratizing and transforming Ethiopia. Especially ODP, leading the Oromo, should have committed fully to this mission.
The Oromo people, in general, should now shift our paradigm: from striving for an independent Oromia to building an integrated Oropia—a democratic Ethiopia that reflects Orommà leadership and values. This, I believe, is more beneficial.
Let the Oromo walk the talk of democratization and transformation.
May Wàqa guide us toward this path.
Galatôma.
Read more: https://orompia.wordpress.com/2023/05/1 ... ng-oropia/