Oromo’s Future Goal of High Confidence: Oropia (Oromic-Led Ethiopia) with Geo-Federation
Posted: 15 Nov 2025, 00:29
Oromo’s Future Goal of High Confidence: Oropia (Oromic-Led Ethiopia) with Geo-Federation
By Fayyis Oromia
It is fascinating to observe the shifting political roles between Amhara and Oromo elites. Amhara elites, who historically championed unitarism, are now gradually transitioning from geo-federation through ethnic federalism toward advocating for an independent Amhara state. In contrast, Oromo elites—who began their struggle about 50 years ago by demanding an independent Oromia due to a lack of political confidence—are now evolving toward broader visions.
The idea of independent Oromia was strongly advocated by Obbo Galàsà Dilbô and the OLF during the early stages of the Oromo national struggle. Today, as we develop an intermediate level of political confidence, many Oromo leaders and intellectuals are embracing the vision of ethnic federation—an idea most prominently associated with Dr. Léncô Latà and the OFC. Looking ahead, with a growing sense of national confidence, we may aspire to an integrative and unified Oropia—an Oromummà-led Ethiopia—with Oromic as the primary working language of the country. This idea, once envisioned by Dr. Haile Fida, is now gaining traction among some Oromo elites.
This vision of Oropia could take the form of geo-federation, in which large regions like Amhara, Oromia, Somali, and the Southern Nations are subdivided into smaller federal units. Personally, I would recommend a democratic Oropia, using Oromic as the primary working language, with the following proposed federal regions:
- Afar – Semera (Qafar Af)
- Tigray – Maqelle (Tigrigna, Erob, Kunama)
- Wolqayit – Humera (Amharic, Tigrigna)
- Bejamidir – Gondar (Amharic, Qemant)
- Gojjam – Bahir Dar (Amharic, Agaw)
- Wollo – Dessie (Amharic, Oromic, Argobba, Agaw)
- North Shoa – Debre Berhan (Amharic, Oromic)
- Benishangul – Metekel (Berta, Gumuz, Shinasha, Mao, Oromic)
- Gambella – Gambella (Anuak, Nuer, Oromic)
- Wollega – Naqamte (Oromic)
- Illu Abba Bora & Jimma (Oromic)
- Shagar/Shoa – Oromo heartland (Oromic)
- Hararge & Dire Dawa (Oromic, Harari)
- Arsi & Bale (Oromic)
- Borana & Guji (Oromic)
- Sidama (Sidamu Afô, Gedeo)
- Wolayta (Wolaytta language)
- Omo (Gamo, Gofa, others)
- Southwest – (Kefficho, Dawro, Shekacho)
- South Shoa (Gurage, Silt’e, Hadiyya, Kambata, Yem, Halaba)
- Isa – Fiq (Af-Sômàli)
- Ogaden – Gode (Af-Sômàli)
- Garre – Liban zone (Af-Sômàli, Oromic)
- Finfinne – Federal Capital (Oromic, Amharic)
To realize this vision, the OLF must demonstrate flexibility. The struggle for an independent Oromia was crucial during the liberation era. Emphasizing a federal union is appropriate for the current transitional period. However, promoting an integrative Oropia will be essential for the OLF to take political leadership within Ethiopia and potentially across the Horn of Africa. To succeed in this role, the Oromo movement must strategically reclaim and reframe the following symbols historically monopolized by Abyssinian elites:
- Andinet (Unity)
- Ethiopianism (Ethiopiawinet)
- The Green-Yellow-Red Flag
- Orthodox Christianity (as part of shared heritage)
- Proud historical moments (e.g., the Battle of Adwa)
- Citizenship-based politics (Zeginet)
- Amharic as a second language after Oromic
Appropriating these elements in Oromo terms is key to neutralizing vocal, pro-Amharanet elites and winning support from other nations and nationalities.
The Three Stages of Oromo Political Evolution:
Oromo elites have historically pursued three strategic approaches, based on the political environment and confidence levels at different times:
- Low Confidence (Past) – Aimed for an independent Oromia (Galàsà Dilbo & OLF): Focused on resisting the Derg and seeking full sovereignty.
- Intermediate Confidence (Present) – Advocates for a true multinational federation (Léncô Latà & OFC): Promotes self-rule within a shared democratic structure.
- High Confidence (Future) – Envisions an integrative Oropia (Haile Fida’s model): A geo-federated Ethiopia with Oromic as the central language and Oromo leadership at its core.
The Historical Narrative and Sovereignty Models:
The Oromo liberation movement contains three views on history, which shape three visions of sovereignty:
- Conflict-Only Narrative → Russian Model; Oromia becomes independent and powerful like post-Soviet Russia.; Advocated by some OLF members.
- Mixed Narrative (Pride & Conflict) → British Model; Oromia becomes autonomous and federates with neighboring regions, like England in the UK.; This aligns with the OFC’s federal vision.
- Common Proud History → Indian Model; Oromia leads in uniting Ethiopia (Oropia), similar to Hindi-speaking regions leading India’s unification.; Promoted by proponents of Haile Fida’s integrative federalism.
Conclusion:
The common denominator in all three Oromo political approaches has always been the fight for freedom from Abyssinian system of domination and the establishment of democracy. From there, the people can decide—through referendum—whether they want:
- Galàsà Dilbo’s independent Oromia
- Léncô Lata’s federal Orompia (Oromia-led ethnic federation)
- Haile Fida’s integrative Oropia
These visions correspond to the three phases of Oromo revolutionary confidence:
- Kàyyô Ganamà (Initial Goal) – Independent Oromia (Low Confidence)
- Kàyyô Guyyà (Pragmatic Goal) – Federal Orompia (Intermediate Confidence)
- Kàyyô Galgalà (Ultimate Goal) – Integrative Oropia (High Confidence)
Indeed, the Oromo revolution for freedom is evolving—from seeking an independent Oromia, to coexisting in a federation, and ultimately aspiring to lead a united Oropia. May Wàqa guide us on this journey toward full political confidence and leadership.
Galatômà!
Read more: https://orompia.wordpress.com/2023/06/1 ... ederation/
By Fayyis Oromia
It is fascinating to observe the shifting political roles between Amhara and Oromo elites. Amhara elites, who historically championed unitarism, are now gradually transitioning from geo-federation through ethnic federalism toward advocating for an independent Amhara state. In contrast, Oromo elites—who began their struggle about 50 years ago by demanding an independent Oromia due to a lack of political confidence—are now evolving toward broader visions.
The idea of independent Oromia was strongly advocated by Obbo Galàsà Dilbô and the OLF during the early stages of the Oromo national struggle. Today, as we develop an intermediate level of political confidence, many Oromo leaders and intellectuals are embracing the vision of ethnic federation—an idea most prominently associated with Dr. Léncô Latà and the OFC. Looking ahead, with a growing sense of national confidence, we may aspire to an integrative and unified Oropia—an Oromummà-led Ethiopia—with Oromic as the primary working language of the country. This idea, once envisioned by Dr. Haile Fida, is now gaining traction among some Oromo elites.
This vision of Oropia could take the form of geo-federation, in which large regions like Amhara, Oromia, Somali, and the Southern Nations are subdivided into smaller federal units. Personally, I would recommend a democratic Oropia, using Oromic as the primary working language, with the following proposed federal regions:
- Afar – Semera (Qafar Af)
- Tigray – Maqelle (Tigrigna, Erob, Kunama)
- Wolqayit – Humera (Amharic, Tigrigna)
- Bejamidir – Gondar (Amharic, Qemant)
- Gojjam – Bahir Dar (Amharic, Agaw)
- Wollo – Dessie (Amharic, Oromic, Argobba, Agaw)
- North Shoa – Debre Berhan (Amharic, Oromic)
- Benishangul – Metekel (Berta, Gumuz, Shinasha, Mao, Oromic)
- Gambella – Gambella (Anuak, Nuer, Oromic)
- Wollega – Naqamte (Oromic)
- Illu Abba Bora & Jimma (Oromic)
- Shagar/Shoa – Oromo heartland (Oromic)
- Hararge & Dire Dawa (Oromic, Harari)
- Arsi & Bale (Oromic)
- Borana & Guji (Oromic)
- Sidama (Sidamu Afô, Gedeo)
- Wolayta (Wolaytta language)
- Omo (Gamo, Gofa, others)
- Southwest – (Kefficho, Dawro, Shekacho)
- South Shoa (Gurage, Silt’e, Hadiyya, Kambata, Yem, Halaba)
- Isa – Fiq (Af-Sômàli)
- Ogaden – Gode (Af-Sômàli)
- Garre – Liban zone (Af-Sômàli, Oromic)
- Finfinne – Federal Capital (Oromic, Amharic)
To realize this vision, the OLF must demonstrate flexibility. The struggle for an independent Oromia was crucial during the liberation era. Emphasizing a federal union is appropriate for the current transitional period. However, promoting an integrative Oropia will be essential for the OLF to take political leadership within Ethiopia and potentially across the Horn of Africa. To succeed in this role, the Oromo movement must strategically reclaim and reframe the following symbols historically monopolized by Abyssinian elites:
- Andinet (Unity)
- Ethiopianism (Ethiopiawinet)
- The Green-Yellow-Red Flag
- Orthodox Christianity (as part of shared heritage)
- Proud historical moments (e.g., the Battle of Adwa)
- Citizenship-based politics (Zeginet)
- Amharic as a second language after Oromic
Appropriating these elements in Oromo terms is key to neutralizing vocal, pro-Amharanet elites and winning support from other nations and nationalities.
The Three Stages of Oromo Political Evolution:
Oromo elites have historically pursued three strategic approaches, based on the political environment and confidence levels at different times:
- Low Confidence (Past) – Aimed for an independent Oromia (Galàsà Dilbo & OLF): Focused on resisting the Derg and seeking full sovereignty.
- Intermediate Confidence (Present) – Advocates for a true multinational federation (Léncô Latà & OFC): Promotes self-rule within a shared democratic structure.
- High Confidence (Future) – Envisions an integrative Oropia (Haile Fida’s model): A geo-federated Ethiopia with Oromic as the central language and Oromo leadership at its core.
The Historical Narrative and Sovereignty Models:
The Oromo liberation movement contains three views on history, which shape three visions of sovereignty:
- Conflict-Only Narrative → Russian Model; Oromia becomes independent and powerful like post-Soviet Russia.; Advocated by some OLF members.
- Mixed Narrative (Pride & Conflict) → British Model; Oromia becomes autonomous and federates with neighboring regions, like England in the UK.; This aligns with the OFC’s federal vision.
- Common Proud History → Indian Model; Oromia leads in uniting Ethiopia (Oropia), similar to Hindi-speaking regions leading India’s unification.; Promoted by proponents of Haile Fida’s integrative federalism.
Conclusion:
The common denominator in all three Oromo political approaches has always been the fight for freedom from Abyssinian system of domination and the establishment of democracy. From there, the people can decide—through referendum—whether they want:
- Galàsà Dilbo’s independent Oromia
- Léncô Lata’s federal Orompia (Oromia-led ethnic federation)
- Haile Fida’s integrative Oropia
These visions correspond to the three phases of Oromo revolutionary confidence:
- Kàyyô Ganamà (Initial Goal) – Independent Oromia (Low Confidence)
- Kàyyô Guyyà (Pragmatic Goal) – Federal Orompia (Intermediate Confidence)
- Kàyyô Galgalà (Ultimate Goal) – Integrative Oropia (High Confidence)
Indeed, the Oromo revolution for freedom is evolving—from seeking an independent Oromia, to coexisting in a federation, and ultimately aspiring to lead a united Oropia. May Wàqa guide us on this journey toward full political confidence and leadership.
Galatômà!
Read more: https://orompia.wordpress.com/2023/06/1 ... ederation/