Anti-Abiy Oromo Elites’ Priority: Interethnic Power Struggle Comes First — Ideology Is Secondary!
By Fayyis Oromia*
Nowadays, Oromo elites are in a very difficult dilemma: should they fight the dictatorial incumbent, Biltsiginna, or the nostalgic imperial Semenawian (Northerner) elites? The three scavenger Semenawian elites — Neftegna, Shabiya, and Woyane — are still salivating to re-scramble Oromia’s resources by controlling the Finfinne palace. Meanwhile, the foolish Biltsiginna regime, led by Abiy Ahmed, continues to promote Amharic domination at the expense of the Oromic’s demographically and geographically legitimate leadership.
This is why Oromo nationalists face a serious dilemma. As far as I am concerned, the power struggle in that cursed empire is primarily ethnic in nature; ideological conflict is secondary. Any ethnic group that controls the Finfinne palace enjoys all the power and privileges of the country. The three [ deleted ] Semenawian forces are striving to regain power and once again enslave the Oromo. Therefore, anti-Abiy Oromo elites must be cautious not to become their Trojan horses. I fear that the hatred they have toward Abiy might blind them to the coming danger.
It is important to differentiate the political struggle in Ethiopia across three levels:
1. Ethnic Level
The struggle at the ethnic level is ongoing, particularly in the form of a triangular contest between the three major ethnic groups: Amhara, Tigray, and Oromo. This struggle operates under the natural principle of “survival of the fittest.” Attempting to apply democracy at this level is futile and naïve — one group always wins and rules, while another loses and is ruled. Until 1991, the Amhara ruled; afterward, the Tigray dominated; and now the Oromo are leading. Only a naïve Oromo would surrender this power through a ballot box.
2. Party Level
Once an ethnic group consolidates power by force, political parties aligned with that dominant group can then compete democratically for power. Thus, after ensuring that deceitful Abyssinian elites are checked, the Oromo can open democratic competition among parties such as the OFC, OLF/OLA, and OPP for control of the Finfinne palace.
3. Individual Level
Within each party, individuals can use democratic principles to pursue leadership positions — even the office of prime minister — as long as they remain loyal to Oromo national interests.
In summary, there is no democracy in the power struggle at the ethnic level. At the party level, vigilance is needed to prevent Abyssinian elites from regaining power under the guise of democracy. Intra-party competition among individuals within the OFC, OLA, OLF, and OPP can, however, be fully democratic — provided those individuals remain loyal to Oromo political priorities.
There is no doubt that the Oromo are slowly but surely approaching absolute freedom from former alien rulers and dictators. It is only a matter of time before genuine Oromo nationalists within the pro-Oromummà Republican camp take political power from the pro-Amharic Prosperity Party in Finfinne. Once that happens, Oromo Republicans should consolidate their power and make Oromic the primary working language of the federation, replacing Amharic.
Nine Levels of Oromo Political Specialization
After securing political dominance, Oromo political specialists must be trained and empowered at nine administrative levels:
- Local (Ganda/Village)
- County (Araddà/Qebele)
- District (Ànà)
- Zone (Province)
- Oromia (State)
- Ethiopia (Federation)
- Horn of Africa (Region)
- Africa (Continent)
- Global (UN Level)
Knowledge, experience, and skill at these levels are essential. Empowering Oromummà and promoting Oromic at every level must remain at the heart of our national project.
Diplomacy and Regional Integration
Recent diplomatic initiatives by Oromo elites to foster a confederation — the proposed United States of the Horn of Africa (USHA) — are encouraging and strategic. The discussions between Eritrean, Somali, and Ethiopian leaders on this topic are promising, and we hope Djibouti and Somaliland will join the bloc.
For the Oromo, consolidating power in Finfinne, liberating Oromia from alien domination, and democratizing Ethiopia are the foundations for broader regional and continental integration. With Finfinne as the political center, any regional or continental federation would inevitably feel the ripple effects of Oromo politics. The Oromo are uniquely positioned for this — if we play our political cards wisely.
To succeed, the OFC, OLF, and OPP must reach consensus and unite all Oromo nationals behind a shared vision. With unity of purpose, no force in the region can prevent us from becoming a major cultural, economic, and political power in Finfinne, Oromia, Oropia (Oromummà-led Ethiopia), the Horn, Africa, and beyond.
Although OPP has been slow to resolve key Oromo issues such as securing Finfinne and making Oromic the federal language, the Oromo nation is now freer from Amhara and Tigray domination than ever before. This should serve as a model of liberation for all African nations artificially divided by colonial borders.
The Name “Ethiopia” and Its Meanings
The term Ethiopia itself is problematic and carries multiple meanings:
- In the Bible, it refers to Cushland;
- In Greek, it means “land of burnt faces” (black people);
- For Tigrayans, it is linked to the Axum Empire;
- For Amhara, it represents Abyssinia;
- For Ethiopianists from southern nations, it means the current state;
- For Oromo nationalists, however, Ethiopia symbolizes a system of domination.
Historically, Ethiopia existed as a feudal monarchy under Haile Selassie, a military dictatorship under Mengistu, and a dictatorial revolutionary democracy under Meles Zenawi. The next phase, under OPP’s program, aims to forge a true democratic ethnic federation, as opposed to the TPLF’s fake version.
A Better Administrative Structure for Africa
The OPP’s administrative program — supporting the right of all nations and nationalities to self-govern at community, district, province, and state levels — is an excellent model for African multinational states. Africa’s future lies not in the American melting pot model nor the European Union’s association of mono-national states, but in a federation of nationsrespecting cultural and linguistic autonomy.
A five-tier system — African Federation → States → Provinces → Districts → Communities — based on ethnic or linguistic identity, not geography, is the most suitable framework for Africa.
OPP’s Ethiopian Model: A Prototype for Africa
In essence, OPP’s Ethiopian model could serve as a prototype for the future African federation. Transitioning from the TPLF’s fake ethnic federation to a genuine one, as the OPP and OFC advocate, could pave the way for a united Ethiopia and, eventually, a united Africa — with Oromia and Finfinne at the center. Oromia could exist as a sovereign state within the United States of Africa, alongside other nations such as Amharaland and Tigray.
Conclusion
The formation of the AFD by CUD and OLF was the TPLF’s first nightmare. The subsequent creation of Medrek by OFC, UDJ, and others was the second. Today, OPP’s vision offers renewed hope, even if not the ultimate solution. The PAFDrepresents the best long-term hope for the nations within the empire. While OPP’s approach offers a transitional, consensus-based solution, PAFD’s vision aims for a permanent settlement through public referendum.
Ethiopia’s political trajectory is shifting — from TPLF’s fake ethnic federation, to OPP’s genuine ethnic federation, and eventually to PAFD’s vision of full self-determination for all nations.
Leaders from different Oromo liberation fronts have expressed their intent to revive the AFD alliance — an excellent step toward strengthening the struggle against domination. This alliance, if reactivated and coordinated with OPP and Medrek, could galvanize the struggle for freedom and democracy inside Ethiopia.
Final Thoughts
Other African multinational states formed by colonial powers can learn two key lessons from OPP’s Ethiopian model:
Recognize and respect the God-given rights of nations and nationalities to self-administration and self-determination.
Adopt ethnic-based federations with five administrative levels to promote cultural, economic, and political autonomy — paving the way for a United States of Africa free from the negative legacy of colonial borders and languages.
The Oromo struggle for freedom can serve as a model for transforming Africa’s colonial artificial borders into natural national boundaries. Oromo political influence, radiating from Finfinne and Oromia, is a divine gift — one that must be used wisely.
Galatôma!
Read more: https://orompia.wordpress.com/2023/03/2 ... ndividual/