Obbo Bulcha Demeksa’s Bold Use of Oromic in Parliament: A Legacy the OLF Leaders Galàsà Dilbo and Dima Nego Did Not Dare to Pursue
By Fayyis Oromia*
The Oromo people have lost a courageous leader—Obbo Bulcha Demeksa—who was the first to speak Oromic in the Ethiopian Parliament. His historic act was not just a political statement but a bold assertion of the Oromo people’s identity and linguistic rights. Regrettably, even prominent leaders of the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF), such as Obbo Galàsà Dilbo and Dr. Dima Nego, did not dare to take this step during their tenure. Obbo Bulcha, alongside a few other Oromo intellectuals like Dr. Haile Fida, recognized the importance of elevating the Oromic language to its rightful place within Ethiopian federal institutions.
Obbo Bulcha understood that the free use of Oromic within these institutions would signify a significant transformation of Ethiopia—a shift towards an Oropia, a geo-federal state with Oromic at the helm. For these visionary leaders, the struggle for an independent Oromia was secondary to the larger goal of creating an integrative Ethiopian state, one that would honor the linguistic and cultural diversity of its people. The promotion of Oromic as the federal working language would contribute to the creation of an inclusive Ethiopia, where the Oromo nation played a central role.
Encouragingly, members of the OLF within the Prosperity Party (OPP) have recently started speaking Oromic in the Ethiopian Parliament—an act that Obbo Bulcha had championed during the TPLF (Woyane) era. While this step is commendable, it comes after a delay of six years. In reality, all Oromo parliamentarians—starting with Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed—should have already been using their mother tongue in official settings, rather than relying on Amharic, the language of the dominant assimilator. This failure to take pride in their linguistic heritage reflects a deep-seated mentality of subjugation that needs to be overcome for the true liberation of the Oromo people. Nonetheless, it is heartening to see that the OLFites within the OPP are gradually gaining the courage to push for this much-needed change.
The Oromo people have already shaken off the yoke of Habesha domination, but they remain subjected to a hybrid regime that seeks to maintain the supremacy of Amharic at the expense of Oromic. The OLF members within the OPP are now striving to reverse this trend, advocating for the elevation of Oromic as the primary working language of the federal government. Despite these efforts, the current regime remains hesitant to grant Oromic its rightful status. The Oromo struggle must now focus on breaking free from this hybrid oppression and demanding that Oromic be recognized as the official language across all federal institutions, including the palace, parliament, judiciary, cabinet, military, and security apparatus.
The regime’s rhetoric of prosperity is a hollow promise that cannot be realized while the Oromo and other nations remain subjugated. For true prosperity to be achieved, the regime must respect the linguistic, cultural, and political rights of all its people. The OLFites in power must lead the charge to ensure that Oromic is fully integrated into the fabric of Ethiopian governance, and with this victory, usher in a new era of prosperity for the entire country.
The Ongoing Struggle for Oromic Recognition
There is no question that the current regime is as pro-Amharanet and dictatorial as its predecessors dating back to 1270. Every previous Ethiopian government has sought to preserve Amharic dominance, often suppressing Oromic and Oromummaa (Oromo identity) in the process. Oromo elites within the Prosperity Party appear content with this arrangement, lacking the courage to promote Oromic as the rightful language of the federal government. This situation has allowed a small group of Amhara elites to continue to control the state, aided by Oromo elites who are more concerned with personal power than the collective liberation of the Oromo nation. However, this arrangement cannot last forever. True Oromo republicans will rise to elevate Oromummaa and ensure that Oromic becomes the primary language of Ethiopia.
The current Biltsigina regime (the ruling party) is beginning to resemble the fascist Derg and Woyane regimes, as evidenced by the extrajudicial killing of a young boy in Dembidolo—a clear example of the regime’s violent repression. History has shown that regimes that oppress their people are bound to collapse. The Derg and Woyane were both overthrown, and the same fate awaits the Biltsigina regime. The crucial question now is: who will rise to take their place?
The future of Ethiopia hinges on this question: will it be the Amhara repressors, desperate to maintain the status quo under the guise of Ethiopiawinet (Ethiopian unity), or will it be the Oromo republicans, led by the OLF and OFC (Oromo Federalist Congress), who seek to guide the country towards a truly inclusive and democratic federation of more than 80 nations? Now is the time for Oromo republicans to unite and lead the struggle for the final phase of Oromo liberation.
The Shift in Power Dynamics: A New Struggle
The traditional triangular power struggle between the Amhara, Tigray, and Oromo over the political control of Finfinné (Addis Ababa) is now over. Tigrayan hegemonists have been defeated, and the struggle has shifted to a dichotomy: dictatorial Amharanet vs democratic Oromummaa. The Amhara elites continue to dominate the palace and federal institutions, while many Oromo elites, from Yekuno Amlak to Abiy Ahmed, have historically upheld Amharanet at the expense of Oromummaa.
Amhara elites continue to support these Oromo Pro-Amharanet Elites (PAE) as long as Amharic remains dominant. However, this alliance will not last forever. The true Oromo republicans—those committed to the principles of Oromummaa—will eventually rise and demand that Oromic be made the official working language of Ethiopia. Once this happens, the current regime will be remembered as the last of the pro-Amharanet dictatorships.
A New Horizon for the Oromo Struggle
The struggle for Oromic recognition is not just a linguistic issue; it is a broader struggle for cultural and political empowerment. The Oromo have long been denied their rightful place in Ethiopia, but the time for change is fast approaching. The future of Ethiopia depends on the ability of Oromo elites—whether ethio-federalists or ethno-federalists—to respect and promote the language, culture, and political autonomy of the Oromo people.
In order for the Oromo people to achieve true freedom and sovereignty, any future regional integration must be based on their free will and consent. There can be no integration at the expense of national freedom. The Ethiopian union must be built on a foundation of mutual respect, equality, and justice for all its peoples, with Oromia standing proudly as a sovereign member, not as a suppressed region.
As Ethiopia moves toward a more democratic future, the battle will be between those who seek to maintain the status quo of Amharanet and those who champion the cause of Oromummaa. This battle will be fought in the halls of parliament, in the courts of law, and in the hearts and minds of the people. Ultimately, it is the strength of Oromo unity and resolve that will determine the future of Ethiopia and the role of Oromic in its governance.
Conclusion
The Oromo struggle for freedom and sovereignty is far from over. As Ethiopia enters a new phase of its political history, the Oromo people must continue to fight for the recognition of their language, culture, and political rights. The legacy of Obbo Bulcha Demeksa’s bold use of Oromic in Parliament is a testament to the power of language in shaping political change. His vision of an Oropia, a democratic federation led by Oromic, must remain the guiding principle for the future of the Oromo people and Ethiopia as a whole.
In the words of the Oromo proverb, “When the road is rough, the strong-hearted walk it with courage.” The Oromo people have already come far, and their struggle for justice, equality, and sovereignty will ultimately prevail.
Galatôma.
Read more: https://orompia.wordpress.com/2023/03/1 ... rosperity/