Can Jawar Mohammed’s Movement Propel the Oromo Liberation from the 75% Status Quo to the 100% Goal?
By Fayyis Oromia*
The Oromo struggle for liberation has been a long and incremental journey. For over fifty years, the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) has spearheaded the movement for freedom, securing approximately 75% of the desired liberation, both in terms of land and collective consciousness. The journey began with the fall of Emperor Haile Selassie’s regime in 1974, marking the first achievement of freedom for the Oromo people, which can be quantified at about 25%. With the collapse of the Derg regime in 1991, this figure rose to 50%, and the 2018 movement, which ousted the TPLF-led government, propelled the cause further, reaching 75%.
However, a crucial question persists: Can Jawar Mohammed’s current movement advance the Oromo from this 75% status quo to full liberation, reaching the ultimate goal of 100% freedom? Is his initiative the next essential phase in the protracted struggle to break free from the oppressive hybrid regime of Biltsiginna?
The Role of the OLF in Oromo Liberation
The OLF has played a transformative role in liberating the Oromo from mental colonization under “Amharanet” (Amhara cultural dominance), which was often disguised as “Ethiopiawinet.” As a result, the Oromo have come to embrace Oromummaa—the essence of Oromo identity. Despite this, some Oromo elites, whether consciously or subconsciously, still revere Amharanet over Oromummaa. Ironically, many of these elites currently hold significant power in Ethiopia and Oromia.
The mindset of Bilisumma (freedom)—a concept instilled by the OLF—has even been adopted by individuals who initially favored Amharanet. These individuals played a role in defeating the Tigrayan elites during the recent conflict, effectively diminishing Tigrayan influence. The attention must now shift to the die-hard Amhara Naftagna elites, who remain hostile to the Oromo cause. These forces are working to regain control of the central government through political figures like Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed and other pro-Amharanet elites, using them as instruments to further their ambitions.
Fortunately, the liberation ideology introduced by the OLF has firmly taken root. The current objective is clear: irreversibly dismantle the Naftagna ideology. All pro-Oromumma elites (POEs) must now unite to permanently dismantle Amhara imperial ambitions.
Historical Context and Cultural Shift Towards Oromummaa
For much of Ethiopia’s history, particularly from 1270 to 1974, Oromo individuals within the ruling elite were more inclined to adopt Amharanet and Amharic rather than preserve Oromummaa and Afaan Oromo. This cultural assimilation led to many northern Oromos embracing an Amhara identity.
The founding of the OLF marked a critical turning point in this trajectory. The OLF’s emergence helped the Oromo reclaim pride in their identity, moving away from the influence of Amharanet. The Derg regime’s policies, although oppressive, offered some initial benefits to the Oromo cause, including legal recognition of the Oromo name and the “land to the tiller” policy. During the TPLF-led EPRDF government, Oromia was officially recognized, and Afaan Oromo was institutionalized within the region.
While Abiy Ahmed’s Medemer philosophy has introduced certain advancements, such as the increased use of Afaan Oromo in Finfinne (Addis Ababa) and Orthodox Christian spaces, Oromo representation within the government remains largely symbolic. Though many of Ethiopia’s leaders are biologically Oromo, they have continued to prioritize Amharanet over Oromummaa, a trend that persists under Abiy’s leadership.
Achieving full liberation for the Oromo requires a final phase of Moggasa—a cultural renaissance that solidifies Afaan Oromo as the federal working language and restores the identity of those Oromos who have been assimilated into other cultures.
Power Struggles and the Need for Unity
Today, the Oromo face an intense internal power struggle, primarily between republican Oromo forces (led by the OLF and figures such as Jawar Mohammed) and the ruling Oromo elites within the Oromo Prosperity Party (OPP). Oromo elites have historically been divided, often allowing Abyssinian elites—such as the Naftagna and Woyane factions—to manipulate these divisions and regain control of Finfinne.
It seems that the Naftagnas have succeeded in drawing Prime Minister Abiy into their orbit. They have pressured him to clamp down on prominent Oromo leaders—most notably, Jawar Mohammed—while simultaneously consolidating their influence over the central government. This marks the third major lost opportunity for Oromo-led change:
- The first, in 1974, when Mengistu’s regime crushed Oromo aspirations.
- The second, in 1991, when the OPDO, under Nagaso Gidada, marginalized the OLF.
- The third, in 2018, when Abiy’s OPP betrayed the Oromo movement and suppressed Oromo activists.
In each of these cases, Oromo leaders—while nominally in power—have sabotaged the freedom struggle from within. The tragic irony is that Oromo elites have been the greatest saboteurs of their own liberation, often more so than any external enemy. Mengistu persecuted Meison and killed Haile Fida; Nagaso undermined the OLF and executed Nadhi Gammada; and now Abiy has imprisoned Jawar and other symbols of modern Oromo nationalism.
A Strategic Path Forward: Formation of the Oromo Republican Party (ORP)
To course-correct, genuine Oromo opposition forces—such as the OLF and the OFC—must unite to form the Oromo Republican Party (ORP), a political entity that can challenge the OPP in future democratic elections.
Historically, Oromo liberation movements have had three distinct ideological visions:
- Multinational Federation: Shared rule within Ethiopia, with self-rule for Oromia.
- Independent Republic of Oromia: Full sovereignty and statehood.
- Multi-Regional Federation: Autonomy for traditional Oromo regions without a unified Oromia.
The first generation of Oromo activists championed independence. The second generation entertained both independence and federalism. The third generation, however, must be inclusive and flexible, embracing all three goals as alternatives that can be pursued according to the circumstances.
The Oromo liberation struggle is part of a broader Cushitic liberation movement across the Horn of Africa—a resistance to centuries of colonization by Abyssinian elites and foreign imperial forces. This history dates back to ancient Cushitic civilizations and was reshaped by European colonial narratives.
From Division to Unity: Embracing a Pragmatic, Third-Generation Strategy
For centuries, Cushitic peoples—particularly the Oromo—have been divided and manipulated by external forces. The so-called “16th-century Oromo migration” was not merely a migration but a response to invasions by European-backed Abyssinians and Ottoman-supported Arab forces. Since then, the Oromo have been subjected to cultural and political suppression by Habeshanized elites—Cushites who adopted foreign Semitic languages and religions to consolidate their power.
The current generation of Oromo leaders must break away from this pattern. The third generation should be pragmatic and inclusive, aiming to:
- Unite all Oromo regions and peoples.
- Respect various paths to sovereignty (independent Oromia, federal Oromia, or integrative Ethiopia).
- Forge alliances even with traditionally antagonistic Amharic-speaking elites who now support freedom and democracy.
If democracy and freedom are to define future politics in the region, the Oromo have nothing to fear. The future course can be determined through a national referendum.
Conclusion: A Unified Oromo Republican Party for the Future
It is crucial to support the formation of a unified Oromo Republican Party (ORP) that embodies the unity of purpose shared by all generations of the Oromo struggle. This party must challenge the OPP’s hegemony and lead the Oromo people towards the ultimate realization of Bilisumma (freedom).
Long live the Oromo movement—united with one goal of freedom, and three possible outcomes of sovereignty.
May Wàqà guide the OLF and OFC in uniting to create a strong ORP for the future!
Galatoma.
Read more: https://orompia.wordpress.com/2023/03/1 ... s-mogaasa/