Is the OLA a Modern Version of the OLF with the High-Confidence Politics of Haile Fida?
Posted: 23 Jan 2026, 09:08
Is the OLA a Modern Version of the OLF with the High-Confidence Politics of Haile Fida?
By Fayyis Oromia*
It is heartening to witness that the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) has evolved into a formidable political force capable of challenging the authoritarian rule of the Oromo Prosperity Party (OPP). Furthermore, the OLA now espouses an integrative vision of Oropia—a unified, Oromummaa-led Ethiopia—over the pursuit of an independent Oromia. This shift signals a critical juncture in the political trajectory of the Oromo people, and it offers a timely opportunity to reconsider the ideals and aspirations of the OLF (Oromo Liberation Front) in light of Dr. Haile Fida’s high-confidence political philosophy.
The Vision of Dr. Haile Fida
Dr. Haile Fida envisioned a transformed Ethiopia—one that would gradually evolve into Oropia, a multi-regional federation where Afaan Oromoo would become the primary working language. In contrast to the OLF’s earlier focus on an independent Oromia, which reflected a politics rooted in low confidence during the era of Abyssinian colonization, Dr. Haile’s vision projected a more secure and empowered Oromo nation at the heart of an integrated Ethiopia. The current pursuit of ethnic federalism, as represented by the Oromo Federalist Congress (OFC), reflects a politics of intermediate confidence—suitable for the transitional period in which we currently find ourselves.
While the OLF’s earlier focus on an independent Oromia served as a rallying cry during times of oppression, the time has now come for the Oromo to adopt a high-confidence vision for the future—one that reimagines Ethiopia as Oropia, a geo-federation of approximately 25 regional states, with Oromummaa at its core.
A Modern Vision of the OLF
The idea of an independent Oromia was, at one point, the defining goal of the OLF. However, this aspiration, though crucial in the past, now belongs to history. The current reality, where ethnic federalism has gained traction, represents a middle ground, appropriate for the present moment. But the future must focus on a more ambitious and inclusive vision: Oropia—an Ethiopia reimagined as a multi-regional, geo-federated state, led by Oromummaa. This vision offers a path forward that balances the legitimate aspirations of the Oromo people with those of the other nations and nationalities within Ethiopia.
The Limits of Ethnic Federalism
Ethnic federalism, as advocated by the OFC and other political entities, remains a crucial step in the ongoing struggle for Oromo self-determination. However, it is important to recognize that, as long as Amharic continues to dominate the national discourse and Oromummaa remains a secondary consideration, the Oromo people will continue to be marginalized. The goal, therefore, is not to maintain the status quo but to push for a more radical reimagining of Ethiopia—one where Afaan Oromoo is the primary working language and where the Oromo people play a central role in shaping the national identity.
The failure of Dr. Abiy Ahmed’s Prosperity Party to promote Oromummaa as the unifying force in Ethiopia further underscores the need for a modernized version of the OLF. The Prosperity Party, despite its promise, opted to perpetuate the dominance of the Amharic language and the political dominance of the Amhara elite, rather than embracing a more inclusive, multi-ethnic vision for Ethiopia.
The Three Forms of Sovereignty
The question of sovereignty has always been central to the Oromo political struggle. In many ways, the evolution of Oromo political thought can be understood as a progression through three distinct stages of sovereignty:
- Kàyyô Ganamà (The Original Vision): The aspiration for an independent Oromia, which emerged during a period of intense oppression and insecurity.
- Kàyyô Guyyà (The Current Vision): The pursuit of a federal union, reflecting the political maturity of the Oromo people and their desire to engage in a larger Ethiopian federation while maintaining significant autonomy.
- Kàyyô Galgalà (The Future Vision): The ultimate goal of an integrative Oropia, where Oromo political and cultural values take center stage in a reimagined Ethiopia—a geo-federation of diverse nationalities, led by Oromummaa.
These stages mirror the historical trajectory of the Oromo struggle and are symbolized by the three colors of the Abbaa Gadaa flag: white (past), red (present), and black (future). The progression from a desire for independence to the pursuit of a federal union and, ultimately, to an integrated Oropia reflects an evolving political consciousness that is moving toward a high-confidence, pan-Oromo vision for the future.
The Three Wings of the Oromo Movement
The Oromo liberation movement can be divided into three distinct wings, each of which advocates for a different approach to achieving sovereignty:
- Haile Fida’s Wing: This vision seeks to transform Ethiopia into Oropia, with Afaan Oromoo as the primary working language. It emphasizes the need for an inclusive, democratic Ethiopia, but it may overlook the need for self-rule within the Oromo homeland.
- Galasa Dilbo’s Wing: This wing represents a more traditional OLF vision, advocating for a fully independent Oromia that can exert influence over the Horn of Africa and beyond. It reflects a desire for complete sovereignty and national identity.
- Lénco Lata’s Wing: This faction champions a federal Oropia, where Oromia is positioned as the leading state within a larger Ethiopian federation. This vision is currently represented by the Oromo Federalist Congress (OFC).
Despite their differences, these factions share a common goal: to dismantle the oppressive, authoritarian forces of the Abyssinian elite. Unfortunately, there is currently no organization or platform that unites these factions under a single banner. Nonetheless, the Oromo liberation movement remains united in its quest for self-determination, and one of the three visions of sovereignty will inevitably become the future reality.
The Historical Basis for These Visions
The divergence among these political goals is rooted in different interpretations of Oromo-Abyssinian history:
- Common Proud History (e.g., Adwa): Advocates of this view favor Indian-style integration, where Ethiopia is seen as a multi-ethnic, inclusive state.
- Conflicting Parallel History (e.g., Menelik’s invasion): Proponents of this view favor Russian-style separation, seeking the establishment of independent states within a larger federation.
Both Common and Conflicting History: This view seeks an Anglican-style federal union, where the various nations and nationalities of Ethiopia are united in a federal structure.
Each of these models offers a distinct approach to resolving the complex historical relationship between the Oromo and the Abyssinian elites.
The Oromo Advantage in Democratic Politics
The Oromo people stand at a unique advantage in the struggle for democracy and self-determination. As the demographic majority, the Oromo have the potential to choose among three democratic models—each of which offers a viable path forward. In contrast, the elites of the Amhara, Eritrea, and Tigray have largely staked their claims on one particular vision of the future, whether it be an Indian-style integration, Russian-style separation, or Anglican-style federalism. The Oromo, however, can play all three cards—provided that democracy and freedom are the guiding principles of the struggle.
Conclusion
The future of the Oromo struggle for self-determination lies in the adoption of a high-confidence political vision that transcends the limitations of ethnic federalism and embraces a more inclusive, democratic Ethiopia. The vision of an independent Oromia served its purpose in the past, and ethnic federalism is appropriate for the current transitional period. However, the future must be focused on the creation of an integrative Oropia, led by Oromummaa, with Afaan Oromoo as the primary working language.
The question now is whether the OLA, under General Marro, can rise to the occasion and lead the Oromo people toward the realization of Dr. Haile Fida’s integrative vision of Oropia. It is time to unite under a common cause, to dismantle the oppressive systems of the past, and to build a future where the Oromo people can thrive in a truly democratic and inclusive Ethiopia.
May Waaqa guide us on this path.
Galatôma.
Read more: https://orompia.wordpress.com/2023/05/0 ... aile-fida/
By Fayyis Oromia*
It is heartening to witness that the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) has evolved into a formidable political force capable of challenging the authoritarian rule of the Oromo Prosperity Party (OPP). Furthermore, the OLA now espouses an integrative vision of Oropia—a unified, Oromummaa-led Ethiopia—over the pursuit of an independent Oromia. This shift signals a critical juncture in the political trajectory of the Oromo people, and it offers a timely opportunity to reconsider the ideals and aspirations of the OLF (Oromo Liberation Front) in light of Dr. Haile Fida’s high-confidence political philosophy.
The Vision of Dr. Haile Fida
Dr. Haile Fida envisioned a transformed Ethiopia—one that would gradually evolve into Oropia, a multi-regional federation where Afaan Oromoo would become the primary working language. In contrast to the OLF’s earlier focus on an independent Oromia, which reflected a politics rooted in low confidence during the era of Abyssinian colonization, Dr. Haile’s vision projected a more secure and empowered Oromo nation at the heart of an integrated Ethiopia. The current pursuit of ethnic federalism, as represented by the Oromo Federalist Congress (OFC), reflects a politics of intermediate confidence—suitable for the transitional period in which we currently find ourselves.
While the OLF’s earlier focus on an independent Oromia served as a rallying cry during times of oppression, the time has now come for the Oromo to adopt a high-confidence vision for the future—one that reimagines Ethiopia as Oropia, a geo-federation of approximately 25 regional states, with Oromummaa at its core.
A Modern Vision of the OLF
The idea of an independent Oromia was, at one point, the defining goal of the OLF. However, this aspiration, though crucial in the past, now belongs to history. The current reality, where ethnic federalism has gained traction, represents a middle ground, appropriate for the present moment. But the future must focus on a more ambitious and inclusive vision: Oropia—an Ethiopia reimagined as a multi-regional, geo-federated state, led by Oromummaa. This vision offers a path forward that balances the legitimate aspirations of the Oromo people with those of the other nations and nationalities within Ethiopia.
The Limits of Ethnic Federalism
Ethnic federalism, as advocated by the OFC and other political entities, remains a crucial step in the ongoing struggle for Oromo self-determination. However, it is important to recognize that, as long as Amharic continues to dominate the national discourse and Oromummaa remains a secondary consideration, the Oromo people will continue to be marginalized. The goal, therefore, is not to maintain the status quo but to push for a more radical reimagining of Ethiopia—one where Afaan Oromoo is the primary working language and where the Oromo people play a central role in shaping the national identity.
The failure of Dr. Abiy Ahmed’s Prosperity Party to promote Oromummaa as the unifying force in Ethiopia further underscores the need for a modernized version of the OLF. The Prosperity Party, despite its promise, opted to perpetuate the dominance of the Amharic language and the political dominance of the Amhara elite, rather than embracing a more inclusive, multi-ethnic vision for Ethiopia.
The Three Forms of Sovereignty
The question of sovereignty has always been central to the Oromo political struggle. In many ways, the evolution of Oromo political thought can be understood as a progression through three distinct stages of sovereignty:
- Kàyyô Ganamà (The Original Vision): The aspiration for an independent Oromia, which emerged during a period of intense oppression and insecurity.
- Kàyyô Guyyà (The Current Vision): The pursuit of a federal union, reflecting the political maturity of the Oromo people and their desire to engage in a larger Ethiopian federation while maintaining significant autonomy.
- Kàyyô Galgalà (The Future Vision): The ultimate goal of an integrative Oropia, where Oromo political and cultural values take center stage in a reimagined Ethiopia—a geo-federation of diverse nationalities, led by Oromummaa.
These stages mirror the historical trajectory of the Oromo struggle and are symbolized by the three colors of the Abbaa Gadaa flag: white (past), red (present), and black (future). The progression from a desire for independence to the pursuit of a federal union and, ultimately, to an integrated Oropia reflects an evolving political consciousness that is moving toward a high-confidence, pan-Oromo vision for the future.
The Three Wings of the Oromo Movement
The Oromo liberation movement can be divided into three distinct wings, each of which advocates for a different approach to achieving sovereignty:
- Haile Fida’s Wing: This vision seeks to transform Ethiopia into Oropia, with Afaan Oromoo as the primary working language. It emphasizes the need for an inclusive, democratic Ethiopia, but it may overlook the need for self-rule within the Oromo homeland.
- Galasa Dilbo’s Wing: This wing represents a more traditional OLF vision, advocating for a fully independent Oromia that can exert influence over the Horn of Africa and beyond. It reflects a desire for complete sovereignty and national identity.
- Lénco Lata’s Wing: This faction champions a federal Oropia, where Oromia is positioned as the leading state within a larger Ethiopian federation. This vision is currently represented by the Oromo Federalist Congress (OFC).
Despite their differences, these factions share a common goal: to dismantle the oppressive, authoritarian forces of the Abyssinian elite. Unfortunately, there is currently no organization or platform that unites these factions under a single banner. Nonetheless, the Oromo liberation movement remains united in its quest for self-determination, and one of the three visions of sovereignty will inevitably become the future reality.
The Historical Basis for These Visions
The divergence among these political goals is rooted in different interpretations of Oromo-Abyssinian history:
- Common Proud History (e.g., Adwa): Advocates of this view favor Indian-style integration, where Ethiopia is seen as a multi-ethnic, inclusive state.
- Conflicting Parallel History (e.g., Menelik’s invasion): Proponents of this view favor Russian-style separation, seeking the establishment of independent states within a larger federation.
Both Common and Conflicting History: This view seeks an Anglican-style federal union, where the various nations and nationalities of Ethiopia are united in a federal structure.
Each of these models offers a distinct approach to resolving the complex historical relationship between the Oromo and the Abyssinian elites.
The Oromo Advantage in Democratic Politics
The Oromo people stand at a unique advantage in the struggle for democracy and self-determination. As the demographic majority, the Oromo have the potential to choose among three democratic models—each of which offers a viable path forward. In contrast, the elites of the Amhara, Eritrea, and Tigray have largely staked their claims on one particular vision of the future, whether it be an Indian-style integration, Russian-style separation, or Anglican-style federalism. The Oromo, however, can play all three cards—provided that democracy and freedom are the guiding principles of the struggle.
Conclusion
The future of the Oromo struggle for self-determination lies in the adoption of a high-confidence political vision that transcends the limitations of ethnic federalism and embraces a more inclusive, democratic Ethiopia. The vision of an independent Oromia served its purpose in the past, and ethnic federalism is appropriate for the current transitional period. However, the future must be focused on the creation of an integrative Oropia, led by Oromummaa, with Afaan Oromoo as the primary working language.
The question now is whether the OLA, under General Marro, can rise to the occasion and lead the Oromo people toward the realization of Dr. Haile Fida’s integrative vision of Oropia. It is time to unite under a common cause, to dismantle the oppressive systems of the past, and to build a future where the Oromo people can thrive in a truly democratic and inclusive Ethiopia.
May Waaqa guide us on this path.
Galatôma.
Read more: https://orompia.wordpress.com/2023/05/0 ... aile-fida/