From The Tampa Tribune …
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Letter of the Day: Seeking justice for the Oromo people of Ethiopia
I was born in Ethiopia and came here nine years ago. I am 19, and I go to Hillsborough Community College. I am writing because of the situations going on in Ethiopia.
I don’t know if you are aware, but the Ethiopian government is having a war with its own people. This war has been going on for over 25 years. The ongoing discrimination against the Oromo tribe has become too much to handle. Recently, the Ethiopian government set out a “Master Plan” — expanding the capital and building meaningless buildings that will only benefit the government. Their goal is said to be to develop the country.
Although this seems like a favorable act, there are many things happening behind the scenes due to this master plan. For one thing, farmers in neighboring cities of the capital will be stripped of their land, with no compensation. Ethiopia is known for having vast land for agriculture. Many people rely on farming to support their families. When the government takes the Oromo people’s land with little to no compensation, these people have nothing left. My family is a victim of this land grab.