Oromia, Orompia, and Oropia: Three Visions Based on Different Levels of Confidence
Posted: 21 Jan 2026, 09:44
Oromia, Orompia, and Oropia: Three Visions Based on Different Levels of Confidence
By Fayyis Oromia*
From the outset, Oromo elites have advanced three distinct visions (kàyyô) regarding the future sovereignty of Oromia, each reflecting varying levels of confidence in the post-liberation state. While all three goals share the common objective of securing the Oromo people’s bilisummà (freedom), they differ in the form of sovereignty (walabummà) they envision for Oromoland after achieving liberation from Abyssinian domination.
Today, Oromia stands free from the classical Abyssinian elites—both Amhara and Tigrayan. However, the Oromo people remain under the influence of “hybrids”—individuals who, whether biologically Oromo or not, have been psychologically colonized by the Amhara identity. These hybrids maintain loyalty to Amharic, often relegating the Oromo language (Oromic) to a secondary status. This cultural and psychological dominance by Amharic remains a significant challenge for the Oromo nation, even within the current political structure.
The primary working language of federal institutions in Oromia must be Oromic. To achieve this, it is imperative to eliminate the internal obstacles presented by these “hybrids,” who persist in prioritizing Amharic. It is hoped that genuine Oromo nationalists within the Oromo Peoples’ Party (OPP) will rise to this challenge, addressing the fundamental demands of the Oromo people, which include the establishment of Oromic as the federal working language, reintegrating Wollo into Oromia, and placing Finfinné (Addis Ababa) under Oromia’s administration.
Following the resolution of these internal challenges, three distinct paths of sovereignty emerge for the future of the Oromo people:
- Haile Fida’s Vision: High Confidence in Oropia
Haile Fida’s vision presents the most ambitious and high-confidence goal: the establishment of Oropia, an Oromic-led state with a geographically-based federation. This vision seeks to establish a new Ethiopia where Oromia, though central, is part of a broader, Oromic-led union.
- Léncô Lata’s Vision: Intermediate Confidence in Orompia
Léncô Lata’s approach envisions a more cautious, intermediate-level confidence in the formation of Orompia—a democratic, language-based federal state where Oromia is a leading ethnic federation within a larger union. This vision reflects a pragmatic approach that acknowledges the complexities of Ethiopian politics and the ongoing dominance of Amharic.
- Galàsà Dilbô’s Vision: Low Confidence in Oromia
Galàsà Dilbô’s vision reflects a more reserved, low-confidence stance, advocating for the liberation of Oromia alone, without incorporating other parts of the Oromo nation that have been assimilated into Amhara or Somali cultures. This vision focuses on establishing a sovereign Oromia while leaving the broader Oromo nation’s integration into the larger Ethiopian context for the future.
The historical trajectory of Oromo political thought has evolved in tandem with shifting socio-political realities. Under the monarchy, Oromos were relegated to a cultural, economic, and political minority. This oppression led to the rise of the goal of an independent Oromia. Following the fall of the monarchy, the emergence of greater political confidence among the Oromo led to the advocacy of Orompia. As the Oromo population grows in cultural, economic, and political power, the vision of Oropia emerges as a long-term goal.
A Summary of Oromo Political Vision
Oromo elites, over the past 50 years, have focused on the singular goal of achieving bilisummà—freedom. The journey began with the first revolution that ended the monarchy, which secured only partial freedom for the Oromo people. Subsequent victories, such as the defeat of the Derg regime, further expanded this freedom. The fall of the Woyane regime brought the Oromo closer to full liberation. However, complete sovereignty—achieving 100% bilisummà—will only be attained once the current dictatorial regime of Biltsiginna is overcome.
The question of Oromic as the primary working language of federal institutions will play a crucial role in determining which path of sovereignty the Oromo nation pursues. If Oromic is established as the primary language, Haile Fida’s high-confidence vision of Oropia may become increasingly viable. However, given the current dominance of Amharic, Léncô Lata’s vision of a democratic, language-based Orompia may represent a more realistic, intermediate step. Galàsà Dilbô’s low-confidence vision of Oromia could serve as a fallback option if the more ambitious models prove unfeasible in the short term.
Irrespective of which vision is pursued, unity among Oromo forces is essential to prevent the return of Abesha forces to power in Finfinné. Oromo nationalists must consolidate their political power, particularly in Finfinné, to ensure that it remains under Oromia’s administration and that Oromic becomes the primary working language of the federation.
It is important to note that all Oromo elites and organizations are fundamentally pro-union, despite political differences. The label of “separatist” has historically been used by the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) as a tool to divide the Oromo from other Ethiopian ethnic groups, particularly the anti-TPLF Amhara elites. Unlike the TPLF, which was centralist while in power, the Oromo have consistently advocated for federalism. This is evident from the historical practices of federalism by Oromo rulers during the Zemene Mesafint and the five Odà of Oromia under the Gadà system. Today, most major Oromo organizations, including the Oromo Federalist Congress (OFC) and the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF), continue to embrace federalism as their guiding principle.
Even groups that have expressed support for independence, such as some pro-independence fronts, do not categorically reject union. They prioritize independence first, with union as a secondary goal. In contrast, the OFC places union at the forefront, with independence as a fallback option.
Principles for the Future Union
For a future democratic Ethiopia that truly serves the interests of the Oromo people, all Oromo elites must agree to uphold five core principles:
- Freedom from all systems of domination
- Oromic as the primary language of the union
- Democracy as the political framework
- Renaming Ethiopia to Oropia, if necessary
- Adoption of the black-red-white Cushitic flag for the union
If these principles are adopted, a geo-federated, predominantly Oromic-speaking democratic Ethiopia—effectively Oropia—will emerge as the optimal political outcome.
Looking ahead, if the OPP becomes the vehicle for this vision articulated by Dr. Haile Fida, the realization of Oropia will be within reach. However, it is clear that Oropia, in terms of both scale and vision, is nearly twice the size of Oromia. As such, Oromo nationalists who embrace a high-confidence approach should pursue the goal of Oropia, while those with a more cautious stance may find Oromia to be a more achievable goal in the near term.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Oromo nation stands at a critical juncture, and its elites must come together to secure a future that reflects the aspirations of the Oromo people. Whether the path leads to Oromia, Orompia, or Oropia, unity and a commitment to democratic principles must guide the struggle for true bilisummà. Only through this unity can the Oromo people secure their rightful place in a future, free and democratic Ethiopia.
Galatôma!
Read more: https://orompia.wordpress.com/2023/04/1 ... onfidence/
By Fayyis Oromia*
From the outset, Oromo elites have advanced three distinct visions (kàyyô) regarding the future sovereignty of Oromia, each reflecting varying levels of confidence in the post-liberation state. While all three goals share the common objective of securing the Oromo people’s bilisummà (freedom), they differ in the form of sovereignty (walabummà) they envision for Oromoland after achieving liberation from Abyssinian domination.
Today, Oromia stands free from the classical Abyssinian elites—both Amhara and Tigrayan. However, the Oromo people remain under the influence of “hybrids”—individuals who, whether biologically Oromo or not, have been psychologically colonized by the Amhara identity. These hybrids maintain loyalty to Amharic, often relegating the Oromo language (Oromic) to a secondary status. This cultural and psychological dominance by Amharic remains a significant challenge for the Oromo nation, even within the current political structure.
The primary working language of federal institutions in Oromia must be Oromic. To achieve this, it is imperative to eliminate the internal obstacles presented by these “hybrids,” who persist in prioritizing Amharic. It is hoped that genuine Oromo nationalists within the Oromo Peoples’ Party (OPP) will rise to this challenge, addressing the fundamental demands of the Oromo people, which include the establishment of Oromic as the federal working language, reintegrating Wollo into Oromia, and placing Finfinné (Addis Ababa) under Oromia’s administration.
Following the resolution of these internal challenges, three distinct paths of sovereignty emerge for the future of the Oromo people:
- Haile Fida’s Vision: High Confidence in Oropia
Haile Fida’s vision presents the most ambitious and high-confidence goal: the establishment of Oropia, an Oromic-led state with a geographically-based federation. This vision seeks to establish a new Ethiopia where Oromia, though central, is part of a broader, Oromic-led union.
- Léncô Lata’s Vision: Intermediate Confidence in Orompia
Léncô Lata’s approach envisions a more cautious, intermediate-level confidence in the formation of Orompia—a democratic, language-based federal state where Oromia is a leading ethnic federation within a larger union. This vision reflects a pragmatic approach that acknowledges the complexities of Ethiopian politics and the ongoing dominance of Amharic.
- Galàsà Dilbô’s Vision: Low Confidence in Oromia
Galàsà Dilbô’s vision reflects a more reserved, low-confidence stance, advocating for the liberation of Oromia alone, without incorporating other parts of the Oromo nation that have been assimilated into Amhara or Somali cultures. This vision focuses on establishing a sovereign Oromia while leaving the broader Oromo nation’s integration into the larger Ethiopian context for the future.
The historical trajectory of Oromo political thought has evolved in tandem with shifting socio-political realities. Under the monarchy, Oromos were relegated to a cultural, economic, and political minority. This oppression led to the rise of the goal of an independent Oromia. Following the fall of the monarchy, the emergence of greater political confidence among the Oromo led to the advocacy of Orompia. As the Oromo population grows in cultural, economic, and political power, the vision of Oropia emerges as a long-term goal.
A Summary of Oromo Political Vision
Oromo elites, over the past 50 years, have focused on the singular goal of achieving bilisummà—freedom. The journey began with the first revolution that ended the monarchy, which secured only partial freedom for the Oromo people. Subsequent victories, such as the defeat of the Derg regime, further expanded this freedom. The fall of the Woyane regime brought the Oromo closer to full liberation. However, complete sovereignty—achieving 100% bilisummà—will only be attained once the current dictatorial regime of Biltsiginna is overcome.
The question of Oromic as the primary working language of federal institutions will play a crucial role in determining which path of sovereignty the Oromo nation pursues. If Oromic is established as the primary language, Haile Fida’s high-confidence vision of Oropia may become increasingly viable. However, given the current dominance of Amharic, Léncô Lata’s vision of a democratic, language-based Orompia may represent a more realistic, intermediate step. Galàsà Dilbô’s low-confidence vision of Oromia could serve as a fallback option if the more ambitious models prove unfeasible in the short term.
Irrespective of which vision is pursued, unity among Oromo forces is essential to prevent the return of Abesha forces to power in Finfinné. Oromo nationalists must consolidate their political power, particularly in Finfinné, to ensure that it remains under Oromia’s administration and that Oromic becomes the primary working language of the federation.
It is important to note that all Oromo elites and organizations are fundamentally pro-union, despite political differences. The label of “separatist” has historically been used by the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) as a tool to divide the Oromo from other Ethiopian ethnic groups, particularly the anti-TPLF Amhara elites. Unlike the TPLF, which was centralist while in power, the Oromo have consistently advocated for federalism. This is evident from the historical practices of federalism by Oromo rulers during the Zemene Mesafint and the five Odà of Oromia under the Gadà system. Today, most major Oromo organizations, including the Oromo Federalist Congress (OFC) and the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF), continue to embrace federalism as their guiding principle.
Even groups that have expressed support for independence, such as some pro-independence fronts, do not categorically reject union. They prioritize independence first, with union as a secondary goal. In contrast, the OFC places union at the forefront, with independence as a fallback option.
Principles for the Future Union
For a future democratic Ethiopia that truly serves the interests of the Oromo people, all Oromo elites must agree to uphold five core principles:
- Freedom from all systems of domination
- Oromic as the primary language of the union
- Democracy as the political framework
- Renaming Ethiopia to Oropia, if necessary
- Adoption of the black-red-white Cushitic flag for the union
If these principles are adopted, a geo-federated, predominantly Oromic-speaking democratic Ethiopia—effectively Oropia—will emerge as the optimal political outcome.
Looking ahead, if the OPP becomes the vehicle for this vision articulated by Dr. Haile Fida, the realization of Oropia will be within reach. However, it is clear that Oropia, in terms of both scale and vision, is nearly twice the size of Oromia. As such, Oromo nationalists who embrace a high-confidence approach should pursue the goal of Oropia, while those with a more cautious stance may find Oromia to be a more achievable goal in the near term.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Oromo nation stands at a critical juncture, and its elites must come together to secure a future that reflects the aspirations of the Oromo people. Whether the path leads to Oromia, Orompia, or Oropia, unity and a commitment to democratic principles must guide the struggle for true bilisummà. Only through this unity can the Oromo people secure their rightful place in a future, free and democratic Ethiopia.
Galatôma!
Read more: https://orompia.wordpress.com/2023/04/1 ... onfidence/