The Power of a Cushitic Language: Why Afaan Oromoo Should Join African Union Working Languages
Posted: 16 Aug 2026, 13:47
The Power of a Cushitic Language: Why Afaan Oromoo Should Join African Union Working Languages
By Mulugeta W/Tsadik
In the heart of East Africa, where ancient rhythms meet modern aspirations, Afaan Oromoo stands as a linguistic giant. Spoken by over 40 million people—making it Africa’s most widely used Cushitic language and among the top 5 languages in Africa by native speakers—this vibrant tongue is more than a means of communication. It’s a repository of wisdom, a bridge across Ethiopia’s diverse regions, and a symbol of resilience for the Oromo people, Africa’s largest ethnic group [1]. Despite its reach from Kenya to Sudan, Afaan Oromoo remains sidelined in the African Union (AU) ‘s official working languages: Arabic, English, French, Portuguese, Swahili, and Spanish [2][3]. It’s time to change that.
Read more: https://mylibrarianship.wordpress.com/2 ... languages/
By Mulugeta W/Tsadik
In the heart of East Africa, where ancient rhythms meet modern aspirations, Afaan Oromoo stands as a linguistic giant. Spoken by over 40 million people—making it Africa’s most widely used Cushitic language and among the top 5 languages in Africa by native speakers—this vibrant tongue is more than a means of communication. It’s a repository of wisdom, a bridge across Ethiopia’s diverse regions, and a symbol of resilience for the Oromo people, Africa’s largest ethnic group [1]. Despite its reach from Kenya to Sudan, Afaan Oromoo remains sidelined in the African Union (AU) ‘s official working languages: Arabic, English, French, Portuguese, Swahili, and Spanish [2][3]. It’s time to change that.
Read more: https://mylibrarianship.wordpress.com/2 ... languages/