Mereja.Forum

What Does Self-Determination Mean for the Oromo (Majority Over All = MOA)?

By Fayyis Oromia*

As the Oromo people were historically marginalized from the center (specifically, Finfinné Palace), it was legitimate to talk about self-determination in the sense of Oromian autonomy or even Oromian independence. At the time, we lacked the confidence to claim the center and influence not only the country but also the region and the continent. But now, although we may not yet fully believe it, the two historically oppressive Abyssinian groups—the Amhara and Tigrayan elites—are no longer in control of the center. Oromo forces have claimed it, and they will remain there, unless we sabotage ourselves.

It is natural that different Oromo factions may compete for influence in the Caffé Aràrà (parliament), but we must ensure that the [ deleted ] Abyssinian elites never return. For me, self-determination means guaranteeing the flourishing and respect of our AAA—àdà (culture), afàn (language), and àngô (power)—within Oropia (Oromummà-led Ethiopia), without limitation or restriction.

Is the Oromo Prosperity Party (OPP) under Dr. Abiy Ahmed prepared to realize this noble vision of Oromo self-determination? Can OPP, OFC, OLA, and OLF agree on this form of self-determination for our people?

Read more: https://orompia.wordpress.com/2023/04/3 ... at-center/

Oromo OPP and OLF are killing each other like monkeys!

A few years ago, a “breaking news” report from Ethiopia declared that 2010 (E.C.) marked the end of the armed struggle for Oromo liberation—implying the OLF was finished. Was that fact or fiction? Were the media deceiving themselves, or were they ignoring reality? Did their audience fall into a trap, celebrating with the TPLF camp while ignoring the truth?

Here, I highlight how nearly all stakeholders have lived in self-deception when it comes to the Oromo liberation movement:
- International power players, like the UK and USA, believed they could maintain stability in the Horn by supporting the TPLF and suppressing Oromo liberation. This strategy, however, clearly works against their long-term strategic interests.

- Unitarist forces in Ethiopia continue to romanticize a single, centralized nation while ignoring the legitimate demand of the Oromo for self-determination. They deny Oromo national aspirations, insisting that only individual freedom in a unitary Ethiopia matters.

- TPLF leaders, arrogant after their military success against the Derg, wrongly assumed they could rule over Oromia indefinitely. They failed to consider the long-term consequences of their actions.

- Collaborating Oromo individuals in the ruling party falsely claimed that the Oromo were already liberated and developing economically—an example of self-deception at its worst.

- Democratic federalists, who sincerely believe that Oromian autonomy within Ethiopia is the ultimate goal, also live under self-deception if they think the Oromo will never seek more.

- Some liberation fronts, who want to restrict the goal to an isolated, independent Oromia, also misjudge the broader vision of Oromo nationalism and regional integration.

- Oromo groups who surrendered and joined TPLF, claiming that the Oromo question was solved, lived in the worst form of self-deception.

As long as Oromia remained under occupation, the OLF stayed alive—and grew. The only way to truly dissolve the OLF is by achieving genuine liberation for the Oromo, making such a movement unnecessary. Until then, the OLF has the potential to mobilize millions, even those within the ruling party.