1. Towards a Peaceful Transition

By Ibsaa Guutama*

The Oromo rage, which had been suppressed for ages, has started to erupt with thunderous sound since November 2015. Never in the history of the Oromo, since the 16th century, had such a great number rose together to determine its own destiny. Such a civilian tide had never been seen rising at the same time and empty-handed in the history of the region to challenge an enemy armed to the teeth with modern weapons, and police and army commandos highly trained by powerful nations of the world. And never had the nation stood its ground for such a long time without flinching in the face of deaths, imprisonments and tortures like the present one. They have defied the Gare-Gox and 1-for-5 system of espionage that pervaded each Oromo hearth. The Oromo owes these gallant revolutionaries great thanks, and remains grateful for instilling back the pride it had lost for over a hundred years. With such revolutionary zeal, there shall never be turning back until Wayyaanee packs back to Tigray – leaving behind all it had looted. Wayyaanee is a loose tooth; there is no remedy except pulling it out. The land of Oromiyaa, and everything on it, belongs to Oromiyaa; Wayyaanee cannot get away with it. No foreign bank shall maintain stolen treasures in its accounts for TPLF/EPRDF members and its beneficiaries when peoples of the Ethiopian empire are threatened with a famine and drought. Woo to them those refused to see Wayyaanee’s clay feet when they started flirting with it. No African leader, or families, had ever benefited from such stolen funds after their demise. Wayyaanee has to be chased out to the same fate by hook or crook for peace of the whole region.

The fire of the Oromo revolution will go on glowing – at times reserved, and at other times ignited. It requires digging in one’s hill, persevering the harsh reality and exhausting the enemy. Wayyaanee is a serval cat, not a leopard that it is trying to imitate. Since it is not made for the long run; it should not be given time to rest and recuperate, but keep on running until it exhausts out itself. Even now, its force is overextended. If determined, the Oromo has the capacity for a protracted struggle and a great chance to win. Such a struggle can cause great pain and despair, but to leave the blood of its youth – the heroes and the heroines – unavenged makes it more painful for a proud society. Wayyaanee’s fighters killing Oromo civilians and returning unharmed ought to stop. Shimala, mancaa and gajaraa may be necessary to replace empty-handedness.

What is called the unarmed and peaceful struggle doesn’t seem to work henceforth. The present united uprising of the Oromo nation is a witness for the expiration of the fear of death and torture instilled by the enemy for over a century. Oromiyaa has to be free to live without fear and threat any more. The war of the enemy does not include only modern weapons, but also a psychological warfare and creating doubt among nationals with smear campaigns. Oromos should not be merciful for nationals who collaborate with the enemy and spy on their people. But they have to distinguish between agents created to serve the enemy and those who the enemy defames to create discords with compatriots. It is advisable to give the benefit of the doubt for one’s strong person than give ears to the enemy’s divisive propaganda and rumors.

Oromo compatriots, who had fulfilled the entire legal requirements under the Ethiopian constitution, are being blamed for being Oromo, beaten and dragged to filthy prisons full of bugs, fleas and lice, irrespective of age and status. Tortures, threats, killings and contemptuous insults there are not to extract information, but to cause the maximum damage that could express their hatred for the nation. In particular, leaders of OFC are now targeted as terrorist-collaborators, and punishment out of proportion is awaiting them. It will be a surprise if the core group is not totally annihilated. This is not a new policy, but denying the Oromo capable leadership has come down since the time of occupation. Though declared pacifists, as long as they are brilliant Oromos, they cannot be left alone to give leadership to any Oromo group. Opposition parties are there as escorts, but not rivals, to TPLF as the world assumes. Standing by them for all Oromo everywhere, irrespective of their differences in political outlook – at this testing period of Oromummaa, is a compatriotic duty, even if one disapproves of their method of struggle.

Another serious matter facing the struggle is how to tackle the cacophony in the surrounding about solidarity and alliance against Wayyaanee. Wayyaanee is now committing genocide against the Oromo just like its predecessors. Oromo is already waging a liberation struggle to bring that to an end, delayed partly due to the failure in leadership. There is no guarantee that those who had come so far with the objective of strengthening the colonial empire can have now a different thing to offer. The way Oromo view themselves and their country, Oromiyaa, is different from the way Ethiopianists view them. One has to change those views to change the status quo. Oromo has nothing less to negotiate, if not more, than what is provided by Wayyaanee in the Ethiopian constitution. Vigilance, and to stay collected, is required as not to be deceived in an earthshaking commotion of our own making.

The same is true for Southern Nations and Nationalities, and the Nilotic (SNNN) that fell down at the same time with Oromo. They were all free dignified peoples living in each other’s neighborhood, politically independent and economically interdependent like all peoples of the world. Together they had fallen down, and together they shall rise up with more tight relations – minus colonial subjugation. Therefore, the Oromo alliance with those peoples needs no preconditions. They have common burden to get rid of – the burden of colonialism. It is only after that, that they consider other human relations with their own free will. In short, they have first to regain their rights of national self-determination. If they want to make a political union with other peoples, it must be on mutual respect for their national interests and rights, not on dictation of any other nation or group. To overcome that, they must be able to form not a divided organization with internal bickering and seeking an external support to cover up an internal weakness – but a strong self-confident front that can win everybody’s trust. There can be no alien that can be closer to one more than own’s compatriot.

Still Ethiopia is that empire formed in the 19th century with the help of Europe during the phenomenon known as the Scramble for Africa. The colonial relations, established then as what they call “Qiny Gizat,” have not changed since then as some want us to believe. Still the Habashaa dominates the political, economic and social aspects of life of the colonized. Still foreign support is pouring to keep Oromiyaa suppressed as ever.The Oromo are never been asked for their consent to be partners for Ethiopia in their long history and not even now – unless running an errand for TPLF for a year, during the Transitional Period, is considered as a big deal. The change in minds of thinkers, if not reflected in reality, becomes only aberration. Almost all African nations that were colonized by Europeans then had attained their independence, but Oromo and SNNN are still struggling to free themselves in their own ways. With the introduction of Christianity to the Habashaa land, some myths were created by Copts to make the rulers next to God. The legend of Queen of Shebaa was one of those. After occupation, those legends were pulled out from archives, and with some additions, the claim of territory for Ethiopia was extended to the Equator with suggestions of foreign advisors. It was those fictions that were fed to Habashaa children since then. All the gobbledygook heard from Habashaa elite camps is the result of that brainwashing to inculcate utopic Ethiopia into their minds. Their rulers are stuck in their primitive ideology of the strong-man rule. A strong-man used to come to power by force and gives it up only in the same way. Oromo climbs to power through elections and dismount it when one’s Gadaa term is over.

These days, pretending to change that trend with the help of a Western researcher, one strong party is formed and fake elections are designed by a strong ruler that came to power by force. At this stage, the strong designer is dead – leaving behind the one-party system. That strong party is now headed by a transitional Wala’ita mask-wearing Tigrawayi until a strong man comes to the open. It will not be easy for Habashaa to break out from the spell of the myth and adapt modern democratic ways. They know it is necessary, but they are not ready to give up on the old tradition for democracy, a foreign concept.

Since colonization, the Oromo have been subjected to rigorous brainwashing and extensive propaganda. All meant to make them despise their own ways. The green-yellow-red colors, which they flew when massacring them, replaced their white-black-red colors, faajjii. They were forced to change their traditional faith, branding it as satanic and uncivilized. Overtime, Oromo were pulled into all myths Habashaa entertained. However, the Oromo struggled to disentangle themselves from those myths; it has taken them longer than expected – being betrayed by their own leaders at every turn. Now, the masses have taken over the struggle. If runaway leaders do not get back and provide political leadership for the new movement, the Oromo should take away their organization, the OLF, and create new leaders from their own ranks. It would be essential to guard oneself, at all times, against leaders under the alien spell with embedded autocratic and opportunistic outlooks.

Unless one frees oneself from the mindset formed by Habashaa myths, to get agreement on any liberation issue will be far off. It is assumed that as human beings, most peoples of the Horn of Africa have common interests in peace, freedom and stability. The smooth transfer from that mindset to focusing on mutual interests is to advantage of all in the region. The unprecedented Oromo movement, that started in November of 2015, has opened a new chapter in awakening all that things can never continue as usual. So, why the tirade, why the defamation and false claims are necessary if the change is clearly inevitable? They cannot stop the Oromo revolution, but may slow it for no end.

Oromo have two choices: one is to continue the struggle using all available means; coordinate its efforts with all others; get rid of Wayyaanee; and live the outcome to chance. The second is make a prior agreement to sit down with all stakeholders for the smooth liquidation of the empire and transition to the second phase. Whatever happens should happen for the good of all stakeholders, their peace and tranquility. The present abused people’s spontaneous uprising has exposed Wayyaanee’s weakness: an autocratic and fascistic system has surged from the underneath democratic façade. Such a system, once shaken, had never regained its balance, but perished. Concerted action to solve chronic problems of the Horn is now.

The Oromo revolution has shown that no gun can suppress a people’s will forever. If it is crashed now, Waaq forbid, next time, it will come back with better insight, led by an organized national leadership. When that happens, one can imagine what a difference it could make. Before further bloodshed between African siblings all, small or powerful, weak or strong have to come around a peace table, and address each people’s concern and conclude all existing conflicts to avoid chaotic ending. First, the army must be taken to the barracks outside the conflict zone. In the meantime, a genuine transitional arrangement to liquidate the empire and start anew has to commence. No nation, nationality and tribe should be left out of such a deliberation. The recognition of the right of nations to national self-determination is nonnegotiable. It has to be the first conference of peoples of the Horn as equals – where no nation will try to impose its will on others. Each people are sovereign; sovereignty could be relinquished only by will of the sovereign people. Such a gathering has the chance to come out with a win-win situation and feeling of African brother/sisterhood.

Many Habashaa elites have shown verbal solidarity with peoples of their colony in their struggle against the brutality of the Ethiopian regime for the first time in more than a century. That, if genuine, is a right trend. It is beneficial for all peoples to be transparent in any suggested and desired relations. What are the objectives, dreams, desires and beliefs of each people? That is what needs to be understood in common. All have seen the process of decolonization on others; as unique as it is, this could take a different trend, but will happen. As to the war with Wayyaanee, Oromo and others have different goals. The goal of Oromo is the implementation of Article 39 of the Ethiopian Constitution. For many, the fall of Wayyaanee may or may not make the struggle easy, and so assumed result should not be taken for granted. For others, the fall of Wayyaanee in an internal Ethiopian matter. One side wants to get back power usurped from them by Darg’s demise, and considers rights guaranteed by Article 39 as divisive and tribal.

Land of Oromiyaa belongs to the people of Oromiyaa, not the government. Habashaa elites have come down enjoying the policy of land belonging to the government as a source of individual wealth. In the motherland, the land belongs to the people; they cannot sell and enrich themselves off of it. It was one major policy that created in them a superiority complex and is troubling their outlook to this day. Such recognition for them is the basis of “gosa (tribal) politics.” For every Oromo, there is nothing as disgusting as that inference. Oromo is not gosa (tribe). It is a nation with several gosa (tribes). It is even doubtful that those Oromo who are Ethiopian lackeys accept that designation. Therefore, they are required to reconsider the concept of holding Ethiopia as a holy entity – which could make it difficult for them to fully accept the right of nations. Oromo has no problem with the term “Ethiopia” – it is an ancient word that all black people can claim. The problem arises when the Oromo history is distorted to claim the legitimacy of Habashaa’s overlordship.

The empire is disintegrating. The Habashaa have the problem of keeping their house in order let alone to maintain their tattering empire. They could learn a lot from the Qimant phenomenon that no people can be taken for granted for a total assimilation. Their uniting factor Oromiyaa gone, even to keep the Amaaraa region together is going to be difficult. Concentrating on plundering the colonies, they have never thought of strengthening their heartland. Their unity has thus far been based on dominating Oromiyaa and SNNN as their common source of livelihoods. Now Oromiyaa is refusing to be dominated and demanding for decolonization. The myth created to deny Oromo belonging to this part of Africa has already been demystified. Wayyaanee is also refusing to share the last spoils with them. That means they have to plan for a post-colonial Ethiopia, i.e. Ethiopia without an empire. Accepting that, can there be any means that Oromo and Amaara are of use for each other? They had thrown baits to attract some Oromo activists, but since they have no enough bait to trap all Oromo, they have to try a sincere way of absolving themselves from past evil deeds and abandoning sinister approaches. Only then can trust starts building .

Gondar has complaints of human rights abuses as well as territorial questions against Wayyaanee. Their case is also getting complicated by the introduction of another dimension: the Qimant national factor. If that case is resolved peacefully between Qimant and Amaaraa, Gondoree can easily tackle the Wayyaanee issue. How democratically they resolve the Qimant case should interest the Oromo. In such cases, people to people can resolve conflicts amicably. It is only groups that benefit from suffering of the oppressed that do not want the resolution of national conflicts peacefully.

The Habashaa, as core groups of the occupation army – as privileged persons that had easy access to land and wealth of Oromiyaa – as fortune hunters – and as the only ones that could speak the language of rulers – were partners to the abuses and loots. Their remnants are now found scattered throughout Oromiyaa and the Southern states. Some of those have never seen their ancestors’ land – except hearing about it. But for lack of information, most are not Habashaa, but offspring of “non-Habashaa Askaries.” This writer had close acquaintances and peers whom had learned about their ancestry being Oromo only after retirement. All their years, they considered themselves, and others also considered them, as “pure” (nitsuhi) Amaaraa. A good number of them were brought up indoctrinated at home as Amaaraa (Christians) among the alien people and faith, and so they were told to be on guard against the Oromo and SNNN – with attitudes of baseless arrogance, fear and contempt for the colonized peoples. They tie strings around their necks and were warned not to dine with those who do not have them. The fear was still there, even among those assimilado. That is inheritance of ignorance, which they are required to shade if they have to live in a modern society.

These people have the right to live and work, and enjoy all rights of citizens in this rich land of Oromiyaa. They have the right to struggle for their share in it even though they should know that rights come with obligations. Instead of eating what is generously provided, why do they call on them hyenas from across the river? If they are not Oromos, they are Oromiyaans. Despite such possibility, it is difficult to understand why they favor a nation far off – that had occupied Oromiyaa by force, impoverished, oppressed and dehumanized the indigenous, and abandoned them as well. They may be only psychologically better off from the indigenous for being related to a powerful nation, not in other things. Oromo are people who believe in human equality and the rule of law from time immemorial. This is attested even by Habashaa historians. Politicians had tried to instigate some irresponsible individuals like themselves to clash with the indigenous – even to the extent of forming nonviable gangs known as “Gaallaa Gadaay” and cry about ethnic cleansing when they are counter attacked in self-defense. They keep on hammering on the assumed fear of being attacked as aliens without any historical backing to it. It is those they defame who arrive first when they are in trouble, not the unknown kin.

Liberation of Oromiyaa is inevitable. Peaceful settlement of conflict is by far preferable to violent ones. Colonial power is now in jeopardy – making peaceful settlement difficult. A selfish inhumane and treacherous group occupies Minilik’s palace – forcing Oromo and Amaaraa stand against it at the same time. Present political reality shows that Oromo independence movement cannot sit back and wait until they resolve their internal conflicts. The Ethiopian front of Amaaraa and Tigrawayi that broke Oromiyaa has been broken a quarter of a century ago. The traditional bond of sharing spoils between them is reneged. Tigrawayi has taken away their colony without compensation. Can they give up their hatred for the right of nations and nationalities, and struggle hand in hand with peoples of the Ethiopian colonies against Wayyaanee to free their own land? It is only then that Ethiopians and Oromo can form an alliance to defeat Wayyaanee. Otherwise, it will be like the Amaaraa saying, “Can one choose beauty from among baboons?” Any Oromo that responds to their alliance or solidarity call unconditionally is out to sell the Oromo cause, the national Kaayyoo. The Oromo struggle against TPLF/EPRDF is not personal; it is a struggle to get rid of subjugation and colonialism from the region. To liberate Oromiyaa means to liberate the empire and the region.

All peoples under occupation have to be given a chance to decide on their own fates. The unprecedented rising of students and farmers should be taken as a turning point in the history of the region – and it should demand a change of mind from those molded by the imperial myth. There is no nation or nationality that is not affected by that myth as victors and vanquished. The Amaaraa must realize that it has no especial mandate to save the empire when it cannot even keep the historic Habashaa together. Instead of craving to keep Oromiyaa as its “Qiny Gizat” any further, it has to think of consolidating its own base country and try to mend relations with its neighbors. Oromiyaa is gone; no reason to cry over spilt milk. There may be some old Oromo warriors that have nostalgia for certain imperial relics for which they may be ready to sell their names. With that, their names will be canceled from this side for they cannot take the file that had made them who they are.

Oromo students and people’s movement may be suppressed today; they shall rebound tomorrow never to be suppressed again. The blood of their peers and the fallen heroes/heroines cannot give them rest until they are avenged. The more blood is spilt, the more will be their rage. Wayyaanee will pay back all it has stolen. It is only piling grudge, not for itself alone, but for its people who are silently watching when the Oromo are butchered. It can still repent and bow out, returning all the loots and more to the peoples of the Ethiopian empire. Any Ethiopian group that wants a close alliance with Oromo has to be made to publicly declare its acceptance of the right of nations to national self-determination unconditionally. After that, how to get rid of the dictators becomes a technical issue.

Any Oromo political group or personality that shows inconsistency in its stand on the national struggle is not worth a penny for anyone. People judge one by one’s character. Such a group or person has to bear responsibility for all the consequences of changing their minds. Their national resistance movement shall redeem the Oromo from subjugation, and so it will never stop until it reaches its goal. There should be shown no mercy for the Oromo that serve as enemy agents and expose a national to killings and arrests. Finfinnee is the center of Oromiyaa; the liberation of one leads to the other. Long live the Oromo students movement! Long live the independent Oromo Liberation Front. Let our deepest sympathy reach to those who lost their loved ones; death is inevitable – to die for the fatherland in one’s own country is honorable; they will remain people’s heroes and heroines forever.

Honor and glory for the fallen heroines and heroes; liberty equality and freedom for the living, and nagaa and araaraa for the Ayyaanaa of our fore parents!

1. Gara Cehumsaa Nagaa Qabeessaatt

Ibsaa Guutama irraa*

Aariin Oromo bara hedduuf ukaamamaa ture Sadasaa 2015 kaasee xaxa’uun sagalee guddaan anga’e. Erga jaarraa 16faa takkaa seenaa Oromoo keessatt lakkoobsi hammana gahu hiree ofiif akkas waliin ka’ee hin beeku. Dhahii nolaa akka isa kanaa harka duwwaa tokkummaan ka’ee diina meeshaa ammayyaa hanga ilkaaniitt hidhate fi loltuu jajjabee angawoo addunyaan leenjifame didhchisiisee hin beeku. Takkaa akka si’anaa sabich gad of horde yeroo dheeraa akkasiif utuu hin mitiqin fuula du’aa, hidhaa fi guraarama dura dhaabbatee hin beeku. Sirna dooyyaa gare-gox fi tokoshanii kan mana Oromo hundatt time cabsan. Waggoota dhibbaa oliif boona dhabe deebisanii gonfachiisuu saaniif Oromoon, warraaqxota jannoota kanaaf galataa fi kabaja guddaa qabu. Annisaa warraaqsa akkasiin hanga Wayyaaneen xaxattee kan saamte hunda duubatt dhiiftee Tigrayitt galtutt boodatt deebiin hin jiraatu. Wayyaaneen ilkaan socha’ee, buqqa’u malee falli hin jiru. Lafti Oromiyaa fi wanti irra jiru kanuma Oromiyaati, fudhattee deemuu hin dandeessuu. Baankiin alaa qabeenya TPLF/EPRDF fi kanneen hidhata bu’aa waliin qaban saamanii kuufatan yeroo ummatoonni Empayera Itophiyaa bonaa fi jeejeen dorsifaman kan dabarsee kennuuf hin jiraatu. Kanneen milla suphee Wayyaanee ilaaluu didanii waliin meshebelluu eegalaniif, harkatt burkutooftee ba’aan rakkachuuf deemuun hin oolu haa beekkatanii! Erga ofii badanii hogganooti Afrikaa horii saamicha akkasiitiin ala baafatan, fooqiin dhossaan ijaarratan isaan haa tahanii warri saanii argatanii hin beekanii. Nagaa naannaaf jedhame Wayyanee karaa fedheen haa tahu gara hiree akka sanaatt reebamuu qabdi.

Abiddi warraaqsa Oromo takka dibamaa takka qabsiifamaa boba’uu itt fufa. Ejjennaa ofii jabeeffataa, hamaa gahu hunda dandaha, jabinaan diina butuchuu gaafata. Wayyaaneen iyyaa (deeroo) dha malee qeerransa akkeessuu fedhu miti. Hanga of butuchee raawwatutt karaa dheeraaf kan uumame waan hin taaneef aara galfatee akka bayyaannatu yeroo kennuufii miti. Ammallee humni saa dhifamee jira. Ofumaan yeroon ciccitu fagoo hin tahu. Kutannaan Oromoon dandeetii wallaansoo dhaawataa gaggeessuu fi carraa irra haanuu qaba. Wallaansoon akkasii laalaa guddaa namatt fiduu fi abdii kutannaa nama irraan gahu dandaha garuu gumaa dargaggoo ofii fi goototaa hin basin hafuun, hawaasa boonaaf laalaa sana caalaattuu hammeesaa. Kanaaf loltuun Wayyaanee Oromo ajjeeftee ofii fayyaa galuun dhaabbachuu qaba. Shimala, mancaa fi gajarri bakka harka duwwaa bu’uun barbaachisaa tahuun gahaa jira.

Harka duwwwaa fi qabsoo nagaa kan jedhamu fulduratt waan hojjetu hin fakkaatuu. Sodaan du’aa fi guraaramaa jaarraa oliif itt hudumame akka raawwate kaka’i Oromoo barana raga dha. Soda fi doorsis lamuu akka itt hin deebine Oromiyaan bilisa bahuu qabdi. Lolli diinaa meeshan qofa utuu hin tahin holola sammuquwii fi lammiwwan walitt diruus ni dabalata. Oromoon, diinaa kalchuun lammi irratt kan basaasaniif garaa laafina agarsiisuu hin qabani. Garuu keettoo diina tajaajiluuf uumamtee fi kan diinni lammiin walitt naquuf maqaa ballessu gargar baafachuu qabu. Bu’aan ciicannoo jabaa ofiif kennamuutu eegama. Murtii kennuun jette jettee fi holola diinaan irratt kan hundaawe akka hin taane eeggachuu Oromoott hin himanii.

Lammiiwwan keenya kan seera heera Itophia jalatt barbaachisu hunda guutan, Oromoo tahuun komatamanii waggaaan dhalootaa haa tahu sadarkan jiru utuu hin hedamin, dhanamaa, hidhaa gergoo, injiraanii fi tafkiin guute, gurarammii, dorsisii fi arabsoon tuffii barsifata guyyuu tahett shororkeeffamaa jiru. Guraarammi, dorsisii, ajjeechaa fi arrabsoon tuffii achii, iyyaatii baasisuuf utuu hin tahin miidhama guddaa kan jibba sabichaaf qaban ibsu irraan gahuufii. Keessaayyuu yeroo si’anaa hogganoota OFK, gooltuu jedhamanii kan irratt aggaamame waan taheef adabi hammaa bahaan eeggataanii jira. Yoo murna saanii wirtuu dimshaashumatt hin ballsine malalchiisaa taha. Oromoo hooggansa dhabsiisuun karoora haaraa utuu hin tahin kan bara qabamanii kaasee jiru. Wayyaaneenis erga aangoo qabattee karaa malbulchaa fi diinagdee namoota qaroo meeqa balleessite. Hardhamoo ijoollee abdii borii tahan akka irraa oolanii ummmata saanii hin tajaajillett mata mata rasaasan dhoftee ajjeesaa akka jirtu gabaasa guyyuu irraa waan mullatu. Nageessumma labsatanuu hamma Oromoo qaroo tahanitt murna Oromoo kamiifuu hoggansa akka kennan hin dhiifamanii. Golooti mormituu kittillayyoo dha malee nakkarummaa TPLFn achi hin jirani. Oromoon eessayyuu jiran garaagarummaa ilaalcha malbulchaa qabaatanuu yeroo qorumsa Oromummaa kana, yomallee tooftaa qabsoo saanii hin ooffalchan tahe, bira dhaabbachuun dirqama lammummaatii.

Wanti cimaan biraa, kan qabsicha mudataa jiru waca naannaa waa’ee gamtaa fi tumsaa Wayyaanee irratt tahu malu jedhamee dhagahamaa jiru. Wayyaaneen akkuma mootota isee dura turanii Oromoo irratt fixaqacee gaggeessaa jirtii. Oromoon sana dhibamsiisuuf qabsoo bilisummaa erga eegale tureera. Halagaan akeeka empayera kolonummaa jabeessaa turan amma abbaltii fi yaada jijjiirrachuu saaniif iggitiin hin jiru. Akkaaataan Oromoon ofii fi biyya saanii Oromiyaa itt ilaalan fi akkaataa Itophiyeessoon itt ilaalaniin adda. Haala amma jiru jijjiiruuf nama ilaalcha ofii jijjiirrate qofaan wal qayyabachuun dandahama. Jeequmsa lafa sochoose ofumaa kaafneen akka hin dagamne dammaqanii of eeggachuun barbaachisaa dha. Oromoon mirga heera Wayyaanee irratt dhahamee ol malee isaa gad waan irratt dhoofsisu hin qabu. Akka qabata raafama ofumaa kaaseen hin dagamne eegganoo fi of gumeesaa turuun barbaachisaa dha.

Jara Oromoo waliin altokko kufan, Sabootaa fi Sabaawota Kibbaa jedhamanii fi Naylootaafis dhugaan jiru sanumaa. Hunduu ummatoota ofiin boonoo birmadoota ollaa walii jiraatan, malbulchaan of irratt, diingadeen akkuma addunyaa hunda walirratt hirkatoo turan. Waliin kufaniiru, firummaa caalaa cimaa gadi qabaan kolonummaa keessa hin jirreen, waliin ka’uu. Kanaaf, Oromoon walii tumsi jara sanaa haala duree hin fedhuu; ba’aa wal fakkaataa ofirraa buusan, ba’aa kolonummaa qabu. Sana duuba qofa kan isaan hariiroo ummatoota biraa waliin qaban fedha ofii bilisaan kan heduu dandahan. Gabaabaatt mirga sabummaa ofii ofiin murteeffachuu erga deebifatanii booda jechuu dha. Yoo ummatoota biraa waliin tokkummaa ummachuu barbaadu tahes ulfina saba ofii walii kabajuu irratt kan hundaawe malee kan sabi yk murni biraa itt fe’u hin tahu. Sana irra haanuuf dhaba keessaa wal nyaatuu fi biinxa’amee, dadhabina keessaa dhoffachuuf gargaarsa alaa soqu utuu hin tahin adda cimaa ofirratt amantee qabu hundaan amanamu dandahu ummachuu qabu. Lammi ofii caalaa halagaan namatt haanu hin jiru.

Ammallee Itophiyaan empayeruma sana kan jaarraa 20faa keessa gargaarsaa saboota Awuropaan, bara ta’iisa “Walharkkatt qaba Afrikaa” jedhamee beekamu ijaraamte. Hariirooon yeros “Qinyi Gizat” jedhamee ijaarame, akka nammi tokko tokko nu amansiisuu fedhanitt, ergasii hin jijjiiramne. Ammas Habashaan haala jireenya malbulchaa, diinagdee fi hawaasoma ummatoota kolonomanii olhaantummaan gaggeessaa jira. Ammas akka Oromoon gad qabamaa turuuf akkuma durii gargaarsi faranjii lola’aafii jira. Oromoon takkaa walqixxummaan Itophiyaa waa’ila tahuu gaafatamanii hin beekanii; bara Cehumsaa waggaa tokkoof jala kaattuu TPLF tahun akka waan guddaatt ilaalama yoo hin taane. Geeddaramii sammuu beekotaa keessa jiruu, dhugaan hin calaqifamnee, ababbara tahuun ni malaa. Sabooti Afriikaa Awropaan koloneeffaman hundi walaba tahaniiruu garuu Oromoo fi jarri SNNN akka fedha saaniitt of bilisomsuuf carraaqaa jiru.

Kirstinnummaan biyya Habashaatt barsiifamuu saa waliin, hoodi tokko tokko akka mootiin saanii Waaqatt haanee jiruu Koptotaan uumamaniifii turan. Hoodi mootittii Sheebaa sanneen keessaa tokko. Qabama duuba hoodoti sun galmee keessaa harkifamanii bahuun lafti hanga qixxeessoott jiru keenya kan jedhu gorsa farajootaan itt dabalame. Asosama sana kan ergasii ijoolleen Habashaa ittiin guutamaa jiraatan. Gadoodi mooraa gurguddoo Habashaa keessaa dhagahamaa jiru, itt baha surrii dhiqa sanaa kan sammuu saanii keessatt Itophiyaa yaadaan umamte (utopia) mudaa hin qabne gad dhaabuuf tolchanii. Bulchooti saanii ilaalcha addunyaa dur durii bulcha nama jabaa tokko keessatt qabamanii jiru. Nammi jabaan aangootti ol bahe, angoo qofaan irraa bu’aa. Oromoon, kennataan yaabbatee, gadaan bu’a.

Si’ana adeemsa sana kan jijjiran fakkeessuuf gargaarsa qorataa Dhihaa tokkoon golli cimaan tokko akka ijaaramu tahe. Sana dhugomsuuf bulchaa jabaa humnaan taahitaa qabateen kennati sobaa yayyabamee jira. Sadarkaa ammaatti yayyabaan cimaan sun sirna gola tokkoo of duubatt dhiisee du’eera. Golli jabaan sun amma fuuloo cehumsaa Wala’ittaa Tigrawayi kee’ateen gaggeeffamaa jira. Habashaaf, falfala hoodichaa keessaa bahee karaa ammayyaa demokraatawaa tahett baruun rakkisaa dha. Akka sun barbaachisaa tahe beeku, garuu rimsama halagaa demokraasii jedhanii, dudhaa baraa hedduu lagachuuf qophee hin fakkaatanii.

Erga kolonoomaatii Oromoon, surrii dhiqaa cimaa fi hololaa daangaa hin qabnetu irratt gaggeeffame. Hunduu akka muka abbaa ofii tuffatanii jedhameetu. Halluun magariisa, keelloo fi diimaan saanii kan yeroo Oromoo qalan balaliisaa turan akka kan Oromo adii diimaa gurracha bakka buhu taasifame. Amanteen saanii dudhaa kan “seexanaa” fi qarooma dhabaa dha jechuun sumudaanii akka jijjirratan dirqisiisan. Bulee Oromoon hooda Habashaa hunda keessa cubuluqan. Haa tahu malee hoodota sana keessaa furgaafachuuf hedduu qabsaawan, garuu maqa hundatt hogganoota ofiin ganaman. Amma ummati ballaan qabsicha dhuunfatee jira. Hogganooti baqa irra jiran deebi’anii sochii haaraa kanaaf hoggansa malbulchaa hin keenaniif taanaan Oromoon dhaaba saa, ABO fudhatee of keessaa hogganota haaraa baafachuu qaba. Yoomu hogganoota, dhiibbaa falfala halagaa, kan keessaan ofangessummaa fi ayyaanlaallatummaan ijaaraman irraa of eeggachuu dha.

Unkaa sammuu hooda Habashaan uumame keessaa utuu of hin baasin qabattee bilisummaa kam irrattuu waliigaltee argamsiisuun fagoo taha. Akka ilmoo namaatt ummati Gaanfa Afrikaa garri caalan nagaa, bilisummaa fi tasgabiif fedha qabu jedhamee yaadama. Unka sammuu sana keessa sololi’anii fedha waloo irratt xiyyeeffachuun kanneen godinaa keessa jiran hundaaf anjaa qaba. Sochiin Oromoo kanaan dura argamee hin beekne Sadaasa 2015 keessa eegalee dubbiin gonka akka duriitt deemuu akka hin dandeenye hunda dammaqsuun boqonnaa haaraa bane jira. Kanaaf arrabsoon maaliifii, maqaa balleessuu fi keenya jechuun sobaa yoo jijjiirammi kan hin oolle tahuun ifaa tahe, maliif barbaachisanii? Warraaqsa Oromoo sutessuu yoo ni yaalu tahe ofumaa malee dhaabuu hin dandahanii.

Oromoon filmaata lama qabuu, tokko waan jiru hundatt dhimma bahanii qabsoo itt fufuu yk kanneen biraan waliin qindeeffatanii Wayyaanee dhabamsiisuun itt baha saa carraatt dhiisuu; lameessoon kan dhimmi ilaaltu hunda kora waliin taahuuf dursanii waliigaluun, marii empayerittii damboobinaan diiguu gaggeeffatanii sadarkaa itt haanutt darbuu. Wanti tahu hundi garooma kanneen keessaa dhimma qabanii hundaa, nagaa fi basha’ina saaniifii. Kaka’inni tasaa ummata itt roorrifamee amma tahahaa jiru, dadhabina Wayyaanee saaxilee jira. Sirnni ofangessoo fi fashistaawaan ijaarsa fakkeessaa demokraasii jalaan ol bahe. Sirni akkasii altokko raafamnaan madaala saanii gonka deebisani argatanii henbeekanii, isumaan badanii. Guboo rakkinaa Gaanfa keessa ture furuu fi gamtoomuun silaa yeerroo akkasiitii.

Warraaqsi Oromoo qawween kamuu fedha ummataa bara baraan gadi qabuu akka hin dandeenye agarsiiseera. Waaq hin jedhin malee, yoo amma rukutame yeroo itt haanutt ilaalcha addaa fi hooggansa sabaa ijaarameen durfamee deebi’aa. Yeroo sun tahu nammuu garagarummaa fiduu malu se’achuu dandaha. Utuu dhiigi Afrikaanota obbolaa tahanii caalaa hin dhagala’in dura, laafaa yk angawaa, dadhabaa haa tahu jabaa utuu hin jedhin hundi naannaa diriiraatt dhufee dhibdee tokko tokkoon saanii himatan ilaalanii waldhabdee hanga yoonaa jiran dhuma burjaajessaa irra utuu hin gahin xumuruu qabu. Jalqaba loltuun mooraa naannaa waldhabdee ala tahett geeffamuu qabdii. Sanaan walfaana sonni Cehumsaa dhugaa tahe, empayera diigee itt baha haaraa kan jalqabuu eegalamuun barbaachisuu dandaha.

Sona akka sanaa keessaa sabi, saboommi fi gosti marii keessaa hafu jiraachuu hin qabu. Hiree ofii ofiin murteeffachuun ummatootaa kan dhoofsisamu miti. Kun kora ummati Gaanfa Afrikaa akka waliqixxeett, utuu sabi tokko yaada ofii kan biraa irratt hin fe’in qooda irratt fudhatu isa jalqabaa tahuu qaba. Tokko tokkoon ummataa moo’aa dha. Moo’ummaan kan gad dhiifamu fedha ummata moo’aa taheeni. Walgahiin akkasii carraa haala “mo’aa moo’aa, taheen yk kan honga’un keessa hin jirreen, kan obbolummaa Afrikaawaan itt dhagahamun bahamu taha.

Gurguddoo Habashaa hedduun, sagaleen deggersaa ummata kolonii saanii roorroon motummaa Itophiyaan irra gahe, jaarraa tokko keessatt yeroo jalqabaaf dhageessisaa jiru. Sun dhugaa taanaan karaa qajeelaa dhaa. Hariiroo qabaachuuf dhiheessan irratt, ummata hundaaf keessaanlaalummaa yoo qabate bu’aa qabeessaa. Akeeki, fedhi, abjuu, hawwi fi amanteen tokko tokkoon ummataa maannii? Sana kan waliin qayyabatamuu qabu. Hundi, yaa’a kolonii diiguu jara kaan irratt arganiiru; inni kun adda ta’ina waan qabuuf bifa addaa fudhachuu dandahinna malee karaa biraa hin qabu, hinuma taha. Lola Wayyaanee waliinii waan ilaalutt Oromoo fi kanneen bira manii adda addaa qabu. Maniin Oromoo Angoo 39 heera Itophiyaa hojiirra akka ooluu. Hedduuf kufaatiin Wayyaanee qabsicha salphisuus dhiisuus ni dandaha, kanaaf ta’innaan akka iggitii qabutt fudhatamuu hin qabuu. Kanneen biraaf kufaatiin Wayyaanee dhimma keessaa Itophiyaatii. Garri tokko aangoo kufaatii Dargiin irraa saamame deeffachuu barbaadu; mirga angoo sanaan beekames akka gargarbaasaa fi gosaawaatt heduu.

Lafti Oromiyaa kan ummata Oromiyaa malee kan mootummaa miti. Gurguddoon Habashaa karoora lafti kan mootummaati jedhuu, akka burqaa qabeenya abbatokkeett ittiin basha’aa dhufanii. Biyya haadhaatt lafti kan ummataa ture; gurguranii of duroomsuu hin dandeenye. Sun karoora guddaa tokko, kan xaxaa olhaantummaa keessatt uumee, hanga hardhaatt ilaalcha saanii rakkisaa jiru. Beekamuun waan akkasii isaaniif bu’uura malbulcha gosaatii. Oromoo hundaaf kan akka jecha sanaa jibbisiisu hin jiru. Oromoon gosa mitii. Saba gosa hedduu of keessaa qabu. Oromoo kittillayyoo Itophiyaa tahaniif illee sana fudhachuun mamsiisaa dha. Kanaaf rimsama Itophiyaa akka addaanjiraato ulfooti fudhachuu keessa debi’anii ilaalan malee akka mirga sabootaa guutummaatt hin fudhanne rakkisuunii dandaha. Sana salphisuuf kolonota ofitt dabalanii ilaaluu dhaabuu dha. Oromoon qooqa Itophiyaa jedhu waliin rakkina hin qabu, qooqa durdurii kan gurraachi hundi dhahachuu dandahu. Rakkoon kan dhufu olhantummaa Habashaa seerawaa gochuuf yeroo seenaan Oromoo roga dhabsiifamee dhihaatu.

Empayerri Itophiyaa bososaa jira. Habashaan Empayera saanii burkutaawaa jiru hafe mana ofiiyyuu sansakkaan qabuu rakkataa jiru. Dubbii Qimant irraa akka ummati tokko guutummaatt liqifameera jedhanii fudhachuun akka hin dandahamne hedduu barachuu dandahu turani.Taasisii walitt isaan qabaa ture Oromiyaan deemnaan, godinoota Amaaraa waliin jiraachisuunuu rakkisaa taha. Kolonoota saamuu irratt xiyyeeffachuun, handhuura biyya saanii jabeessuu gonka hin yaadne. Hanga amma tokkummaan saanii jiraachuun Oromiyaa fi SNNN gad qabuun madda jireenyaa waloo godhachuu dandahuu irratt bu’uurfame. Amma Oromiyaa gad qabama diduun kolonummaa keessaa bahuu carraaqaa jira. Hoodi Oromoon ummata naanaa kanaa miti jedhu qaata burkutaawe. Wayyaaneenis saamicha isa dhumaa isaaniin gahu ni didee. Sana jechuun Itophiyaa kolonummaa boodaa, kan empayera hin qabneef karoorfachuu jalqabuu isaan gaafata jechuu dha. Sun yoo fudhatame Oromoo fi Amaarri waan irratt dhimma walii baasan qabu lataa? Qabsaawota Oromoo tokko tokko ofitt harkisuuf kolomsiisa darbataniif qabuu. Kolomsiiftuu hedduu waan hin qabneef Oromo hunda xuruuruu hin dandahanii. Micciiramaa fi burquqaan dhihaachuu irra karaa nagaa biraa, kan ittiin gocha hamaa darban hundaa keessaa faloo itt bahan soquu qabu. Yoos wal amantee horachuun jalqabamaa.

Gondor gaaffii roorroo mirga ilmaan namaa irratt tahaa jiruu fi gaaffii biyyaa Wayyaanee irraa qaba. Dubbiin saanii itt dabalama taa’isaa sabummaa Qimaantiin caalaa walxaxee jira. Yoo dibbiin sun Amaaraa fi Qimaant gidduutt nagaan fala argate Gondoreen qabattee Wayyaanee waliinii salphaatt furachuu dandaha. Dubbbii Qimant hammam akka isaan demokratummaan furan fedha Oromoo ni laala taha. Waa’ee akkasii irratt ummatootii waldhabdee jiru nagaan waligidduutt fixachuu ni dandahu. Kanneen waldhabdeen akka nagaan hin furamne barbaadan jara gadadoo ummatoota cunqurfamoo irraa bu’aa argatanii.

Habashaan murna wiirtuu raayyaa koloneeffataa akka tahuu saanii, akka namoota bashaan jiraatanii, akka lafaa fi qabeenya Oromiyaatt saaqaa salphaa qabachuu, akka ayyaan adamsituuttii fi akka tokkicha afaan bulchootaa beekaniitt, roorroo fi samicha turett garsuu turanii. Hambaan saanii amma Oromiyaa fi SNNN keessa faca’anii jiraatu. Waa’ee saa dhaghuu irraa kan hafe biyya akaakilee saanii arganii kan hin beeknett caaluu. Iyyaatii dhabuuf malee hedduun saanii Habashaa utuu hin tahin akaakilee ashkaroota Habashamitii turani. loltuun Habashaa hedduun Oromoo irra bulfamanii. Barreessaan kun namoota dhoott beeku akaakileen saanii Oromoo tahuu hojiirraa erga dacha’anii baran beekaa. Hedduun saanii manatt Amaara (Kiristinnaa) tahuu saanii, ummataa fi amantoota halagaa gidduu waan jiraniif akka irraa of eegan itt himamaa; ofirrummaa, soda fi tuffii koloneeffamoof akka qabaatanitt guddifamanii. Liillana itt hidhanii akka nama liillana hin qabne waliin hin nyaane ni akeekkachifamu turanii. Kanneen makaman jedhaman keessaallee sodaan hin badne. Kun dhaalmaa wallaalummaa, hawaasa ammayyaa keessa jiraachuu fedhu taanaan ofirraa harcaasuu qabani.

Jarri kun Oromiyaa dureettii keessa mirga jiraachuu, hojjechuu fi basha’uu qabu. Achi keessatt mirga qooda ofiif qabsaawuu kan qaban yoo tahu mirgi dirqama waliin akka dhufus beekuu qabu. Kan arjoomameef diriinfatanii nyaachuu dhiisanii folooso laga gamaa maaf itt waamu? Oromoo yoo tahuu baatan Oromiyoo dha. Kun hundi tahuu utuu dandahuu, maliif akka saba fagoo jiru kan Oromiyaa humnaan qabatee jara abboolii biyyaa hiyyoomsee, cunqursee, fi namummaa baasee isaanis gate, akka leellisan qayyabachuun rakkisaa dha. Sammuquwiin, jara abbaa biyyaa irra firooma angoo olhaana waliin qabaachuu qofaan wayyinnu malee kan biraa want itt wayyan hin mullatu. Oromoon ummata walqixxummaa ilmaan namaa fi seeraan bulmaatatt yeroo hin yaadatamnee kaasee kan beekamanii. Kun argaadhageettii Habashaanuu mirkaneeffameeraa. Malbulcheessitooti namoota abbaawummaan itt hin dhagahamne akka saanii kakaasuun warra abbaa biyyaan akka walitt bu’an hanga dillisee wayitt hin galle “Gaallaa Gadaay” jedhamtu uumuura gahaniiru. Yeroo jara akkasii ofirraa facisan qulqulleessa lammii jedhanii wacuu. Mirkanii seenaa tokko utuu hin qabaatin, halagummaan haleelamuu firoota saanii irra deddeebi’anii gad tumu. Yeroo rakkoo kan dhaqabaniif isaan utuu hin tahin ummatuma isaan hammeessan kana.

Bilisummaan Oromiyaa kan oolu miti. Waldhabdee nagaan furachuun hunda caalaa. Angoon koloneeffataa araaraa nagaa rakkisaa hanga godhutt jeeqamaa jira. Murna ofittoo gantuutu Masaraa Minilik qabatee Oromoo fi Amaarri altokkicha ittiin mormuuf akka ka’an dirqisiisaa jira. Haalli mirkaniin si’ana jiru hamma isaan dhimma saanii walgidduutt fixatanitt jedhee Oromoon harka maratee taahuu hin dandahu. Addi Itophiyaa kan Amaaraa fi Tigrawayi Oromiyaa cabse arfacha jaarraa dura gargar cabe. Kakuun dudhaa kan waan saman waliin gahan ni haalame. Bakka buusaa malee Tigrawayi kolonii saanii jalaa fudhate. Biyya ofii bilisoomsuuf, jibba mirga sabootaa fi sabaawoo qaban dhiisanii ummatoota kolonii Itophiyaan harka wal qabatanii Wayyaanee dura dhaabbachuu ni dandahuu? Kan Oromoo fi Itophiyoti Wayyaanee buusuuf walii tumsuu dandahan yoos qofaa. Sana malee akka Ammaarii jedhu “Bareedduu daljeessaa keessaa kamiin filuu?” tahuu saatii. Oromoon kamuu kan haala duree malee tumsa saaniif birmatu kaasaa Oromoo kaayyoo sabichaa gurguruu kan abbalu qofa. Waldhaansoon Oromoo TPLF/EPRDF waliin godhamu kan dhuunfaa miti, wallaansoo hacuuccaa fi kolonummaa naannaa dhabsiisu jechuuf dha. Oromiyaan bilisoomuun godinaa fi empayera bilisoomuti hedama.

Ummatooti qabama jala jiran hundi carraa hiree saanii irratt murteeffachuu argachuu qabu. Kaka’i kanaan dura argamee hin beekne barattootaa fi qoteebulaan tahe, akka tuqaa geeddaramaa seenaa kan hooda imperialiin dhandhoname irraa sammuu jijjiirrachuu gaafatutt fudhatamuu qaba. Kan Amaarri hubachuu qabu biyya Habashaa seenaan beekame illee walitt qabuu kan hindandeenye empayera oolchuuf wakkiilummaa addaa akka hin qabnee. Amaarri Oromiyaa akka “Qiny gixat” tursuu dharra’uurraa biyya ofii bu’uuraa saa jabeessee olloota waliin hariiroo akka itt tolfatu yaaduu qaba. Oromiyaan harkaa sokeeraa, harma jigef boo’uun gatii hin qabu. Gootoliin Oromoo dullachooti waan imperial tokko tokko yaadaniif jedhanii maqaa ofii gurgurachuuf qophii tahu dandahu. Galmee waan isaan tahan, isaan tolche fudhatanii deemuu waan hin dandeenyeef maqaan saanii gamanaa haqamuu dandaha.

Sochooti barattootaa fi ummata Oromoo harra ukkamamuu ni dandaha taha; Bor garuu kurupha’anii akka lamuu hin ukkaamfanne gochuu dandahu. Gumaan dhiiga hiriyootaa fi gootota utuu hin bahin garaan saanii rafee hin bulu. Dhigi caalaatt gad dhammuun aarii caalaa finiisuu taha. Wayyaanee kan hate hunda ni deebisaa, kan balleesse hundattis ni gaafatamaa. Haaloo of qofaa utuu hin tahin ummata saa kan yeroo ilmaan Oromoo qalaman callisee ilaaluufis tuulaa jira. Ammas gaabbee, waan saame hunda ummata Oromoo fi ummatoota empayera Itophiyaa deebisee gaddhiisee bahuu ni dandaha. Murni Itophiyaa kamuu Oromoon walii tumsuu kan barbaaduu haala duree tokko malee ifatt mirga sabootaa hiree ofii ofiin murteeffachu akka fudhatu godhamuu qaba. Sana booda abbaa hirrootaa dhabamsiisuun mala qofa gaaftaa.

Murni Oromoo kamuu kan ejjennoo qabsoo sabaa irratt yaada jijiijjiratu eenyuufuu dumbulshoo tokko hin baasu. Namooti kan nama hedan miira abbaatiinii. Murni yk nammi akkasii yaada jijjiirrachuun keessaa baqatanuu xurii itt dhiqatan irraa hin qulqullaawanii; hamaa baqa saaniin gahuufis itt gaafatama fudhachuu qabu. Sochiin rincicaa saba Oromoo hacuucama jalaa ni baasa, waan taheefis manii saa utuu hin gahin hin dhaabbatu. Oromoo keettoo diinaa ta’ee sabboonota ajjeechaa fi hamaa garagaraatt saaxileef garalaafinni jiraachuu hin qabu. Finfinneen handhuura Oromiyaati, bilisummaan tokko kan isa biraattis ni geessa. Sochiin barattoota Oromoo barabaraan haajiraatu! Addi bilisummaa Oromoo walabi haa jiraatu! Firoota kan jaallatan jalaa du’aniin jabaadha jennaa, duuti hin ooltu biyya abbaa saaniif, biyya abbaa saanii irratt waan du’aniif Oromo hundi maqaa saanii ittiin boona; gootota ummataa tahanii bara baraan jiraatu.

Ulfinaa fi surraan gootota kufaniif; walabummaa, walqixxummaa fi bilisummaan kan hafaniif; nagaa fi araarri Ayyaana abboolii fi ayyoliif haa tahu!

2. The Movement that Caught All by Surprise

By Ibsaa Guutama*

We are raising this matter repeatedly in order to remind each other – now and then – so that we may not be caught off guard by daily sprouting distorters. The way Oromiyaa’s resistance of November 2015 took shape surprised not only the incumbent colonial government and opposition organizations that aspire to replace it, but also confused Oromo organizations as well. Because it was an unprecedented phenomenon, the TPLF leaders seem to be at a loss on how to handle it. What they can do was only secretly declare a Marshal Law that has led to the genocide and the unnecessary incarcerations. Ethiopian opposition organizations, that crave to replace TPLF, jumped to support the movement unconditionally, but then cooled down when they found their unevenly developed constituencies of Nafxanyaa-remnant extremists were not supportive. This has exposed that they are not representing a people’s dreams, but that of groups that aspire to control the colonies next. These guys are reactionaries blinded by greed for power, and cannot move with the new world order. The naïve are in cahoots with them for nothing. That there are those who started the conspiracy crossing the line to overthrow Wayyaanee and mount the peoples is becoming an open secret.

The peace-loving Habashaa people have no problem with their neighbors. They are not yet subjected to evictions and land grabs like the Oromiyaa type; their language is still the king’s language; and their green-yellow-red flag is flying far beyond their borders etc. so they have no reason to rebel now. Even Habashaa students in Oromo universities are mostly said not to have been involved in the uprising, but stayed in campuses. That implies that they do not feel belongingness to the rebelling region. What “Ethiopianism” politicians want to propagate is only their own wish.

Oromo politicians had lived confused by multifaceted pressures for a long time. Unable to move forward, they had turned to defending their leadership turf from an assumed internal descent. As a result, sincerity and transparency to members and supporters are lost. They have weakened their own base denying themselves the advantage due to a great people. Members became first in the list of adversaries. While they are in this mood, the movement came and gave the politicians and individual activists their lives’ shock. That they were only façade is exposed. Since then, their behavior has become incoherent and frenzy, trying to cling on any string they come by, and at times, whispering of being in control of the movement. And some are also fuming with ambitions for fame and fortune they expect as a result. In connection with this, lies released have no bounds. But they should not forget the saying, “To fool the wise is to seek hatred.” For the mute observer, there are lots to be said.

The opposition later switched to asking Oromo resistance movement to be named “Ethiopian.” The Oromo struggle has been around in its organized manner for half a century. They still do not comprehend it differently from how they initially responded to it. Since then, much was gained by the Oromo revolution as a result of the damages done to fabrics of colonialism. Oromo nationalism has since spread throughout the land, and people are now politically more conscious of their interests and identity than their elites. So the same approach of 70s and 80s do not serve. Instead of responding to the national demand, when it was only a drop, with contempt full of tirades and insults, had they given it the necessary attention then, it could not have now turned into the uncontrollable great flood. Though different in presentation and tactics, this movement is only an extension of the first phase of movement started by the Oromo youth of the 60s. However, that the objective goal, or Kaayyoo, is the same can be seen from placards and slogans they are using.

Even now, the offer given to Habashaa elites by stray Oromiyaan politicians, i.e. to stand with them as equals and fight the Wayyaanee, did not sink well with the Habashaa elites. They want to humiliate them further by asking them to accept all about Ethiopia unconditionally and work against Article 39 of the Ethiopian Constitution. They also want them to condemn OLF for them. They do not lack the method of attracting tamed Oromo, but how to cleanse “the poison” spread by OLF. Those who join them are those who can do that, not those demanding to seat on an equal level. In their mind, there is only one old Imperial Ethiopia that they head; no modification is acceptable to them.

Therefore, those who are going crazy with its love have to take that anyways. For the independence camp, the national objective, set by OLF, can never be stopped from reaching its goal – even if they go insane. OLF is like a mushroom; its spores are scattered everywhere ready to sprout when another one mutates into an Ethiopianist. It must be known that the nation is not proud of enemy “Askaries” who were defectors and captives however capable they might be – they died enemy soldiers. Our concern is with those who died fighting for the independence of their nation; our praise should go for them and them alone. No one can rehabilitate the Askaries, except the independent Oromiyaa.

For the Oromo struggle, there will be no negotiation with anyone who does not accept Oromiyaa’s sovereignty. Habashaa have to think how to live with their neighbors after the decline of the empire. Trying to scare us with a civil war of the Somali type, if Oromiyaa gets freedom, is not realistic and productive. Unless wanting to be quoted after death for saying it, they are no more the types to venture into a colonial war again. Oromiyaa is not Somalia; there will be no mess – let alone a civil war for the breakdown of the empire. It has the capacity and the culture for self-control. It is clear that the life of the Ethiopian Opposition will be short without Oromiyaa or a civil war. Even unity of what is now called the Amaaraa Country could become doubtful. But it would be prudent if genuine representatives of all peoples – who have stake in the empire – sit around a peace and reconciliation table, and liquidate the empire and give everyone the chance to decide on its destiny. By participating in that, they can overcome their fears – but not by trying the impossible sabotaging of others’ freedom. Image of “Mother” presented by Afework Teklee serves no more; times have changed. Spit your “Hirmii.”

The Oromo youth is finding its way to build Oromiyaa devoid of oppression and servitude imposed on it by aliens. Oromiyaa is for Oromiyaans. There is no force to defend non-Oromo Oromiyaans or aliens living in Oromiyaa than Oromiyaa itself. Those who do not want can smoothly exit without much ado. Alien forces that want to take DNA of long abandoned relatives as an excuse to disturb its peace have to think twice. Oromo nationals who are trying to jeopardize hard won victories of the Oromo youth and farmers must know they are misfired cartridges; they cannot be effective now as they have not been in yester years. Therefore, for good or worse, better repent for past mistakes and stick to their people’s struggle. One who does not hold fast on what one initiates and holds that, leaving this one is of no use to oneself or for anybody. Without showing perseverance, there is nothing one can be trusted for. It is high time that we, all Africans, understand values our peoples attach to freedom and independence, and act accordingly. Oromiyaa has now burst into existence thanks to the sacrifices of its heroes and heroines of the past, and its revolutionary youth of the present. No force can hide it anymore! Long live Oromiyaa; long live our patriots!

Honor and glory for the fallen heroines and heroes; liberty, equality and freedom for the living; and nagaa and araaraa for the Ayyaanaa of our forefathers!

2. Sochi Tasa Hunda Irraa Bahe

Ibsaa Guutama irraa*

Dhimma kana keessa deddeebine kaasuu hin hafne, garuu ammaa amma wal yaadachiisuun dogoggorsituu guyyuu biqiltu irraa of eeguuf nama gargaara jedhameetu. Akaataan diddaan Oromiyaa Sadaasa, 2015 keessaa danaa godhachuu eegale mootummaa kolonii angoo irra jiru fi jaarmota Mormituu isa bakka bu’uu hawwan qofa utuu hin tahin dhaabota Oromoo joonjoos maalalchiiseera. Sochiin akkasii duraan argamee kan hin beekamne waan taheef hogganooti ABUT akka itt qaban kan wallaalan fakkaata. Kan isaan gochuu dandahan seera dirree lolaa kan fixaqaccee fi hidhaa hin barbaachifnett geese iccitiin labsuu qofa ture. Dhaaboti Mormituu Itophiyaa kan ABUTn bakka bu’uu dharra’an, jalqaba haala duree malee sochicha deggerra jedhanii booda waliinjiroo saanii walfaana hin guddanne, harcaatuu karistuun Nafxanyaa fuula dhowwannan qabbaneessan. Kun akka isaan murnoota kolonii of jalatt hambisuu abjootan malee, yaada ummataa bakka hin buune saaxilee. Jarri kun duubatt harkiftuu bolola aangoon jaamanii fi sirna addunyaa haaraa waliin deemuu hin dandeenyee. Daalloti ofumaa waliin rakkatu. Wayyaanee kuffisanii waliin ummatoota irra bahuuf sarara irra cehanii sadoo kan eegalan jiraachuunis iccitii addababa’ii taha jira.

Ummati Habashaa nagaan ollota saanii waliin jibba hin qabanii. Akkasumas rakkinni buqa’uu fi lafti samamuu isaan hin mudannee. Afaan saaniis ammayuu afaan mootiitii, alaaban saanii magarisa, keelloo fi diimaan hardhas dangaa saanii gamatt balali’aa, kkf. kanaaf finciluuf kaasaan ammaaf hin jiru. Barattooti universitoota Oromiyaa keessa jiran illee garri caalan diddaa irratt qoda hin fudhanne, dalasaama keessa turan jedhama. Kun kan agarsiisu godinichi kan ofii tahuu akka itt hin dhagahamne. “Itophiyummaa”n, malbulcheessitooti hololan hawwa ofii qofa jechuu dha.

Malbulcheessitoota Oromoo dhiibbaa fuula hedduutiin yeroo dheeraaf joonjeffamaa jiraatani. Fulduratt deemuu yoo dadhaban gad deebi’anii battala saanii hoggansaa diddaa keessaa ka’innaa jedhan irraa eeggachuutt galanii. Akkasitti walamantee fi keessaanlaalummaan miseensotaa fi deggertootaaf dhibe. Anjaa ummata dagaagaa tokkoof tahu akka hin arganne bu’uura ofii dadhabsiisanii. Miseensoti tartiiba hamajaajii keessatt toora jalqabaa irra jiru. Utuu joonjee kana keessa jiranii sochichii dhufee rifannaa jireenyaa keneefii. Akka fuullenmullataa qofa tahantu saaxilame. Ergasii miirri saanii waldhaha fi ababbaraa tahuutt ka’ee, haada itt dhufan hundatt rarra’uu barbaadu; alii aliis sochiicha too’achuu saanii hasaasuu. Kaanimmoo hawwa beekamaa tahuu fi dunyaa akka hobaatiitt argaminnaa jedhaniin fiilaa jiru. Kana keessa dharri gad dhiifamus hamma hin qabu. Garuu “Gamna gowwoomsuun jibba barbaacha” kan jedhamu irraanfachuu hin qabanii. Kan callisee ilaaluuf tattoo tokko tokko irratt kan jedhamuu dandahu hedduu dha.

Mormitooti bubbulanii sochiin diddaa Oromoo akka kan Itophiyaatt moggaafamu gaafachuutt ka’ani. Qabsoon Oromoo bifa ijaarameen erga naannaatt muldhatee walakkaa jaarraa taheera. Akka jalqaba itt hubatan irraa ammayyuu qayyabannoo hin jijjiirranne. Ergasii manca’a boffee kolonummaa irra gaheen warraaqsi Oromoo bu’aa hedduu argamsiise. Sabboonumaan Oromoos biyyicha keessatt diriiruun, ummati gurguddoo ofii caalaa fedhaa fi eenyummaa saa barateera. Kanaaf, akki itt dhihaatan 70 fi 80ootan walfakkaatu amma dhimma hin baasu. Yeroo sana gaaffii sabaa coba tureef, utuu deebii oori’aa fi arrabsoo tuffiin guuute darbatamuu baatee xiyyeeffannoon barbaachisu kennameef tahe, amma galaana guddicha ittisuun hin dandahamnett hin jijjiiramu ture. Hanga harraa dhiiga hedduutu jigaa jira, wareegama guddaatu bahe deebiin kennamu sanaan walgituu qaba. Akki itt dhihaatee fi tooftaan adda haa tahan malee sochiin ammaa, itt fufa qabaa eegalaa sochii dargaggoo jaatamootaati. Haa tahu malee akeekii yk kaayyoon saanii tokko akka tahe hophee fi dhaadannoo dhimma itt bahan irraa argamuu dandaha.

Ammallee malbulcheessooti qabsoo Oromoo irraa cehan, kadhaan walqixummaan isaan waliin dhabbatanii Wayyaanee kuffisuullee hin liqimfamneefii. Waan Itophiyaa hunda gaafii malee fudhatanii faallaa Angoo 39 Heera Itophiyaa akka hojjetan gaafachuun caalaa salphisuunii fedhu. ABO akka abaaraniifis ni barbaadu. Rakkinni saanii “haddhaa” ABOn facaase akka itt fashalsan malee Oromoo danboobaa akka itt ofitt qaban hin wallaallee. Kan itt dhaqan kan sana gochuufii dandahan malee kan barcuma walqixeerra taahuu hawwan miti. Isaaniif Imperiyal Itophiyaa durii kan isaan mataa itt tahan malee Itophiyaa maalittuu jijjiiruun fudhatama hin qabu.

Kanaaf kan jaalala seen maraataa jiran sanuma fudhachuu dha. Kannen moora walabummaaf, ni maraatu malee Kaayyoon sabaa, ABOn diriirse utuu bakkaa hin gahin gonka hin hafuu. ABOn akka commeetii; yeroo quqi (sanyiin) saa tokko Itophiyummaatt quummanu kan biraa biqiluuf qophii dha. Loltuu diinaa tahanii waan du’aniif, hammam jabaa turanuu kan beekamuu qabu sabichi ashkarii diinaa galtuu fi boojuu turaniin akka hin boonne. Dhimmi keenya kanneen walabummaa saba saaniif lolaa darbanii fi lolaa jiran waliinii. Kan farfannus isaanii fi isaan qofa. Oromiyaa walaba malee kan isaan hadhaadhiyyu dandahu hin jiraatu.

Qabsoo Oromoof kan moo’ummaa Oromiyaa hin fudhanne waliin dhoofsisi hin jiraatu. Habashaan caba empayeraa duuba akkaataa nagaan olloota saanii waliin jiraatan itt yaaduu qabu. Yoo Oromiyaan bilisomte lola noolaa kan isa Somaliyaa fakkatuun nu sodaachisuu yaaluun dhugaas homishaawaas miti. “Jettee duute naan hajedhanii …”f yoo hin taane, isaanis akaakuu duula kolonawaa duriitt lamuu ugganii seenuu jedhamee miti. Oromiyaan Somaliyaa mitii; burkutaawa empayeraaf lolli noolaa hafee hoxxeenillee hin jirraatu. Oromoon dandeettii fi aadaa of tasgabbeessuu qabaa. Akka jireenyi Mormitoota Itophiyaa, Oromiyaa fi lolli noolaa yoo hin jirre gabaabbatu ifaa dha. Tokkummaan biyya Amaaraa isa jedhamuuyyuu mamsiisaa taha. Garuu, utuu bakka bu’ooti ummataa dhugaa, dhimmi ilaalu naannaa diriira nagaa fi araaraa taahanii empayeraatt xumura gochuun hundaaf carraa hiree ofii itt murteeffanna bananii gamnummaa taha. Kan ofii sodaatanis sanaan irra haanu malee bilisummaa ummata biraa sichi hankaaksuu hin dandeenye yaaluun miti. Fakiin “Haadhaa” Metir Afawarq Takleen dhihaate si’achi hin tajaajilu. Hirmii tufaa.

Dargaggoon Oromoo, Oromiyaa hacuuccaa fi tajaajiltummaan halagaa akka irratt hin fe’amne ijaaruuf karaa ofii soqaa jiru. Oromiyaan kan Oromiyooti. Oromiyaa caalaa Oromiyoo Oromoo hin taanee fi halagaa birtaa’oof humni eegumsa kennuu dandahu hin jiru. Kan hin feene, sololaan waa’ee malee bahuu dandahu. Humnooti halagaa DNA firoota dur gatanii sababfachuun nagaa saa booressuu barbaadan al lama itt yaaduu qabu. Oromoon, injifannoo gidiraa meeqaan dargaggoo fi qotee bulaa Oromoon galmeeffaman jeequu yaalan, kan beekuu qaban rasaasa kashafe tahuu saaniiti; kan baroota darban dhimma hin baafne hardhas milkaawuuf hin deemanii. Kanaaf hamaaf haa tahu tolaaf, dogogora darbeef gaabbanii qabsoo ummata saaniitt maxxanuu qabu. Kan waan jalqabett cichuu dadhabee, sana qabee kana gaddhiisu ofii haa tahuu eenyuufillee homaa hin baasuu, waan itt amanamus hin qabu. Nuti Afrikanoti hundi nafii ummatooti keenya birmadummaa fi walabummaaf kennan qayyabanee sanaan masakamuun ammaa. Wareegammi gootota see darbanii fi warraaqxota see si’anaan, Oromiyaan amma futaafattee jireenyatt gadi baateettii. Humni kanaa achi dhossuunii dandahu hin jiraatu. Oromiyaan barabaraan haa jiraattu! Jaalbiyyooti keenya barabaraan haa jiraatan!

Ulfinaa fi surraan gootota kufaniif; walabummaa, walqixxummaa fi bilisummaan kan hafaniif; nagaa fi araarri Ayyaana abboolii fi ayyoliif haa tahu!
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* Ibsaa Guutama: Gubirmans.com