Thanks to the OLF, the Abyssinian Empire Faces the Birth of Oromia, Orompia, or Oropia
Posted: 22 Jan 2026, 16:10
Thanks to the OLF, the Abyssinian Empire Faces the Birth of Oromia, Orompia, or Oropia
By Fayyis Oromia*
The Abyssinian Empire, a state with a history spanning 150 years, has found itself at a significant juncture in its political evolution. Approximately 50 years ago, this ancient empire was “impregnated” by the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF), a potent force in the region. Today, the “mother empire” carries a child—or perhaps twins—whose identity remains uncertain. Will the offspring be Oromia, Oropia (an Oromumma-led geofederation), or a fusion of both, Orompia (Oromia + Oropia)?
At present, the Oromo people are divided into three distinct groups, each envisioning a different future for the unborn entity. Some advocates desire the birth of an independent Oromia, while others support a twin birth—an Oromia within a federated Ethiopia. A smaller faction aspires to transform the current Amharanet-dominated Ethiopia into an integrated Oropia. The three competing visions for the future are as follows:
- An independent Oromia.
- A federal Orompia (Oromummà-led ethnic federation).
- An integrated Oropia.
The key question now is: which of these potential outcomes will come to fruition? One thing remains clear: the Abyssinian Empire is in the delivery room, preparing to give birth to one of these possibilities.
Historical Context and Political Evolution
The political trajectory of the Oromo people has been shaped by their history and evolving security concerns. Historically, the first vision—kàyyô ganamà (early goal)—was proposed by Oromo nationalists during a time of insecurity and colonization, advocating for complete independence from the Abyssinian Empire. Over time, as the Oromo people gained a degree of political and military confidence, the second vision—kàyyô guyyà (current goal)—emerged, favoring a federated union within Ethiopia. Today, a third vision—kàyyô galgalà (future goal)—has surfaced, which seeks full integration and leadership in a united Ethiopia when the Oromo people are secure in their strength.
Thus, the three phases of Oromo political aspiration can be summarized as:
- Past: Struggle for independence (White Flag)
- Present: Movement for union (Red Flag)
- Future: Politics of integration (Black Flag)
Structural Composition of the Oromo Liberation Movement
The Oromo liberation movement is currently divided into two wings, with a central backbone that represents a variety of perspectives on the path to freedom.
One wing pushes for an independent Oromia, seeing it as a dominant actor in the Horn of Africa.
The central backbone advocates for a federated Orompia (Oromia within Oropia).
The other wing supports transforming Ethiopia into an integrated Oropia, emphasizing a united, federal Ethiopia.
While these factions have different approaches, all recognize a common enemy: the current Ethiopian regime. Unfortunately, no single organization has successfully unified these diverse visions, though efforts to coordinate remain ongoing. Despite the differences, the Oromo liberation movement, in one form or another, appears inevitable, and none of the possible outcomes would be detrimental to the Oromo people.
Historical Narratives and Their Influence
The differing visions of the future stem largely from contrasting interpretations of history. These narratives are shaped by:
- A shared, proud history with Abyssinia (e.g., the victory at Adwa).
- A history of conflict (e.g., Menelik’s invasion and the “Oromo expansion”).
- A mixture of both positive and negative historical accounts.
These interpretations give rise to different aspirations for future sovereignty. To achieve freedom effectively, the Oromo people must first unite against the current system of domination. Only after overcoming this obstacle should they engage in a democratic process to select their preferred path forward.
Comparative Liberation Models
Each vision corresponds to an international model of liberation, drawing inspiration from other nations’ experiences:
Léncô Group (Mixed History Approach): This group favors the Anglican model, where Oromia could become an autonomous region within a larger United Kush (Ethiopia), similar to how England freed itself from Roman rule and formed the United Kingdom. Afaan Oromo would be the working language in a federal structure.
Galàsà Group (Conflict-based History): Advocates of this model favor the Russian approach, envisioning the dismantling of the Abyssinian Empire to form an independent, influential Oromia, similar to how the Russian Federation was formed after the dissolution of the Soviet Union.
H/Fidà Movement (Shared History Approach): This group draws from the Indian model, where Ethiopia could unite its diverse peoples under a federal system called Oropia, with regional autonomy and Oromic as the working language.
Oromo Advantage and Sovereign Choice
The Oromo people are uniquely positioned in this historical moment. Unlike the elites of other ethnic groups in Ethiopia, who are limited to a single political option, the Oromo majority can realistically pursue any of the three visions outlined above.
Amhara elites favor the Indian model, as Amharic dominates the current federal system.
Eritrean elites, as a peripheral minority, advocate for separation, following the Russian model.
Tigrayan elites, unable to dominate through language or sustain independence, lean towards the Anglican model.
However, the Oromo people, as both a demographic and geographic majority, are in a unique position to choose any of these models—provided the principles of freedom and democracy are respected.
Thus, it is critical that the Oromo people work together with all pro-democracy forces to create the conditions necessary for a referendum, where the Oromo public can freely decide the form of sovereignty they desire.
Final Thought
From my perspective, none of the three visions outlined in this essay is inherently harmful. What matters most is that the politically conscious Oromo people are allowed to make a decision through a fair and democratic process.
This essay serves as a challenge to those who delight in the perceived division of the Oromo liberation movement. The truth is that this movement has always shared a single goal: freedom. This freedom may manifest in one of three forms of sovereignty, each contingent upon the prevailing circumstances.
Thanks to the powerful force of the OLF, the Abyssinian Empire is now “pregnant” with Oromia, Orompia, or Oropia. The birth of one of these visions is inevitable, and it is only a matter of time before we witness its arrival.
May Wàqa grant us the patience to await this moment.
Galatôma!
Read more: https://orompia.wordpress.com/2023/04/2 ... or-oropia/
By Fayyis Oromia*
The Abyssinian Empire, a state with a history spanning 150 years, has found itself at a significant juncture in its political evolution. Approximately 50 years ago, this ancient empire was “impregnated” by the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF), a potent force in the region. Today, the “mother empire” carries a child—or perhaps twins—whose identity remains uncertain. Will the offspring be Oromia, Oropia (an Oromumma-led geofederation), or a fusion of both, Orompia (Oromia + Oropia)?
At present, the Oromo people are divided into three distinct groups, each envisioning a different future for the unborn entity. Some advocates desire the birth of an independent Oromia, while others support a twin birth—an Oromia within a federated Ethiopia. A smaller faction aspires to transform the current Amharanet-dominated Ethiopia into an integrated Oropia. The three competing visions for the future are as follows:
- An independent Oromia.
- A federal Orompia (Oromummà-led ethnic federation).
- An integrated Oropia.
The key question now is: which of these potential outcomes will come to fruition? One thing remains clear: the Abyssinian Empire is in the delivery room, preparing to give birth to one of these possibilities.
Historical Context and Political Evolution
The political trajectory of the Oromo people has been shaped by their history and evolving security concerns. Historically, the first vision—kàyyô ganamà (early goal)—was proposed by Oromo nationalists during a time of insecurity and colonization, advocating for complete independence from the Abyssinian Empire. Over time, as the Oromo people gained a degree of political and military confidence, the second vision—kàyyô guyyà (current goal)—emerged, favoring a federated union within Ethiopia. Today, a third vision—kàyyô galgalà (future goal)—has surfaced, which seeks full integration and leadership in a united Ethiopia when the Oromo people are secure in their strength.
Thus, the three phases of Oromo political aspiration can be summarized as:
- Past: Struggle for independence (White Flag)
- Present: Movement for union (Red Flag)
- Future: Politics of integration (Black Flag)
Structural Composition of the Oromo Liberation Movement
The Oromo liberation movement is currently divided into two wings, with a central backbone that represents a variety of perspectives on the path to freedom.
One wing pushes for an independent Oromia, seeing it as a dominant actor in the Horn of Africa.
The central backbone advocates for a federated Orompia (Oromia within Oropia).
The other wing supports transforming Ethiopia into an integrated Oropia, emphasizing a united, federal Ethiopia.
While these factions have different approaches, all recognize a common enemy: the current Ethiopian regime. Unfortunately, no single organization has successfully unified these diverse visions, though efforts to coordinate remain ongoing. Despite the differences, the Oromo liberation movement, in one form or another, appears inevitable, and none of the possible outcomes would be detrimental to the Oromo people.
Historical Narratives and Their Influence
The differing visions of the future stem largely from contrasting interpretations of history. These narratives are shaped by:
- A shared, proud history with Abyssinia (e.g., the victory at Adwa).
- A history of conflict (e.g., Menelik’s invasion and the “Oromo expansion”).
- A mixture of both positive and negative historical accounts.
These interpretations give rise to different aspirations for future sovereignty. To achieve freedom effectively, the Oromo people must first unite against the current system of domination. Only after overcoming this obstacle should they engage in a democratic process to select their preferred path forward.
Comparative Liberation Models
Each vision corresponds to an international model of liberation, drawing inspiration from other nations’ experiences:
Léncô Group (Mixed History Approach): This group favors the Anglican model, where Oromia could become an autonomous region within a larger United Kush (Ethiopia), similar to how England freed itself from Roman rule and formed the United Kingdom. Afaan Oromo would be the working language in a federal structure.
Galàsà Group (Conflict-based History): Advocates of this model favor the Russian approach, envisioning the dismantling of the Abyssinian Empire to form an independent, influential Oromia, similar to how the Russian Federation was formed after the dissolution of the Soviet Union.
H/Fidà Movement (Shared History Approach): This group draws from the Indian model, where Ethiopia could unite its diverse peoples under a federal system called Oropia, with regional autonomy and Oromic as the working language.
Oromo Advantage and Sovereign Choice
The Oromo people are uniquely positioned in this historical moment. Unlike the elites of other ethnic groups in Ethiopia, who are limited to a single political option, the Oromo majority can realistically pursue any of the three visions outlined above.
Amhara elites favor the Indian model, as Amharic dominates the current federal system.
Eritrean elites, as a peripheral minority, advocate for separation, following the Russian model.
Tigrayan elites, unable to dominate through language or sustain independence, lean towards the Anglican model.
However, the Oromo people, as both a demographic and geographic majority, are in a unique position to choose any of these models—provided the principles of freedom and democracy are respected.
Thus, it is critical that the Oromo people work together with all pro-democracy forces to create the conditions necessary for a referendum, where the Oromo public can freely decide the form of sovereignty they desire.
Final Thought
From my perspective, none of the three visions outlined in this essay is inherently harmful. What matters most is that the politically conscious Oromo people are allowed to make a decision through a fair and democratic process.
This essay serves as a challenge to those who delight in the perceived division of the Oromo liberation movement. The truth is that this movement has always shared a single goal: freedom. This freedom may manifest in one of three forms of sovereignty, each contingent upon the prevailing circumstances.
Thanks to the powerful force of the OLF, the Abyssinian Empire is now “pregnant” with Oromia, Orompia, or Oropia. The birth of one of these visions is inevitable, and it is only a matter of time before we witness its arrival.
May Wàqa grant us the patience to await this moment.
Galatôma!
Read more: https://orompia.wordpress.com/2023/04/2 ... or-oropia/