Is Dr Abiy’s Ethiopia Like Amapia of President Mengistu Ayàna or Amarpia of Prime Minister Meles Gobena?
By Fayyis Oromia*
We hear Dr. Abiy Ahmed repeatedly emphasizing “Ethiopia.” It is commendable that he attempts to uphold national unity and territorial integrity. But the million-dollar question remains: Which Ethiopia does he hold in his heart and mind?
Is it the traditional Mengistu Ayàna’s Ethiopia, dominated by Amharanet, with Amharic as the sole working language—essentially, Amapia (Amharanet-dominated geo-federal Ethiopia)?
Or is it the more progressive Haile Fida’s Ethiopia, where Oromummà leads, and Oromic becomes the primary federal language, reflecting the demographic reality that the Oromo constitute the majority? That would be Oropia (Oromic-led geo-federal Ethiopia).
Or is he merely continuing the current Amarpia of Meles Gobena—an Amharic-dominated ethnic federation with cosmetic federalism?
Is he considering Confepia of Daud Ibsa (a confederated Ethiopia, a union of free nations)?
Or is he trying to establish Orompia of Léncô Latà—an Oromic-led ethnic federation?
If Dr. Abiy upholds Menelik’s version of Ethiopia, then he is an Amapianist, and it is no surprise that Amhara elites support him. In that case, the Oromo should seriously reconsider their support. Those in OPP (Oromo Prosperity Party) who back him must ask themselves: Are they genuinely serving Oromo interests?
However, if he embodies Haile Fida’s vision of Ethiopia, he might lose the backing of Amhara elites but would rightfully earn support from the Oromo majority. The truth is: he cannot serve both Amapia and Oropia at the same time.
Currently, Ethiopia under Abiy is dominated by Amharanet. So, are the Oromo elites in OPP willing to maintain this status quo? Or are they courageous enough to push for Oromic to become the primary working language of the federation, thereby granting Oromummà its rightful leadership role?
Read more: https://orompia.wordpress.com/2020/07/0 ... at-oromia/