The following is a statement of the Front for Independence of Oromia (FIO)/Kallacha Walabummaa Oromiyaa (KWO) …
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FIO’s Statement on Current situation in Oromia
FIO is highly concerned about the current situation in Oromia. The wave of protests throughout Oromia against the well-established tyrant regime is now nearing its fourth month. During these four months, the EPRDF/TPLF regime has been trying to suppress the peaceful protesters of the Oromo people using force, and has done so time again. The regime has vowed to crash the peaceful protesters with full force. This is what concerns FIO. With the so-called full force, which the regime has already utilized and is still utilizing, it is going to massacre the Oromo people. Regardless of the vow of the government the Oromo people, specifically the youth, have been more resolute and are joining their forces for self-protection to save the Oromo people from the genocide that is going to be carried out by the repressive TPLF/EPRDF government.
The TPLF/EPRDF regime has no respect for any loss of life. It has used many ways to crack down on Oromo protesters by firing live ammunition at crowds – killing as many as 300 people thus far. This devilish acts has been reported by Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, VOA, BBC News, European Parliament (on the situation of Ethiopia 2016), and other respected institutions have all criticized such incidents that have chilling effects and undermine democratic societies of the world. Despite the killings, mass tortures and detentions, the Oromo people have come out strong once again. The most recent peaceful resistance in Arsi, Shewa, Wollega, Hararge, Borena, Guji and Wollo regions in the last two week did not only show this strength, but also paved away for intensified and coordinated self-defense for the Oromo people. This movement also showed the weakness of the TPLF/EPRDF regime and failed their policy of dividing and ruling.
In addition, the intensified and continued uprising reframed the question of the Oromo people. At this moment, the question of the Oromo people is beyond the proposed Master Plan. The Oromo people are saying no to the twenty-five years of repression, agony and displacement, and are requiring the TPLF/EPRDF regime to leave Oromia in no time. Felix Horne, the Horn of African researcher for Human Rights Watch, wrote “While government development for Addis Ababa Master Plan sparked the protest, they are about larger issues …” In fact, he is right about that. The Oromos demand is much more beyond the Integrated Addis Ababa Master Plan, the Oromo have gone more than half way in fighting for their right and in doing so, they have paid all the necessary sacrifices and are still paying and will continue the tough fight until they reach their destination.
As a political organization, the Front for Independence of Oromia (FIO) calls on:
1/ The Oromo People:
To unite and fight for self-protection more than anytime. FIO will partake in any aspect of the movement in Oromia and relentless support the struggle that you make for self-protection. FIO would like to reiterate its continual support of your peaceful protest, and at the same time, honors all fallen Oromo heroes and heroines for their ultimate sacrifices, and encourage others to pursue the vision they had laid down for us. You have been deprived of all human rights, denied the right to utilize your own land and robbed all your natural resources. The brutality of the TPLF/EPRDF regime can only be reversed through the course that you are engaged in, and FIO is hopeful that and the enemy will be defeated. As a peace-loving nation, you have already shown a leadership in collaborating and working with the nations and nationalities. FIO encourages you to continue doing so in every step of your fight against the tyrant TPLF/EPRDF regime. Over the last twenty-five years, the minority ruled TPLF/EPRDF repressive regime has made all the attempts to undermine your struggle for freedom and justice on your own land. It is obvious that the regime is going to continue doing so. The choices made by the regime in the past and its plan in the future to use every effort to crack down your struggle has left no option for you. As a people, you are left with a single option of fighting your enemy to the end. FIO once again reaffirm with you that it will involve in taking out the enemy in all aspects.
2/ Nations and Nationalities in the Ethiopian Empire:
The tyrant and merciless TPLF/EPRDF regime has killed, tortured and displaced the peace-loving Oromo people and forced it into the situation in today. It is also vowing to crash the peacefully protesting Oromos. The Oromo people believe nations and nationalities in the Empire are equally oppressed and alienated by this regime as the Oromos. As a political organization, FIO believes in the freedom of nations and nationalities. Despite the efforts of the Oromo people, the TPLF/EPRDF regime has instigated conflicts between the Oromo people and other nations and nationalities, and used those conflicts to strengthen itself. This has helped only the tyrant. FIO, on behalf of the Oromo people, calls on all nations and nationalities to learn from the past, and stand with the Oromo people in the fight with the tyrant TPLF/EPRDF regime.
3/ The International Community:
The oppressive TPLF/EPRDF regime has killed over 300 Oromos in the past three months, thousands disappeared and thousands were taken to unknown and known military detention centers. Those who were killed included children who are only as young as eight years old. When this all is not enough, the terrorizing regime is vowing to crash peacefully protesting and self-defending Oromo people. FIO is highly concerned about the situation in Oromia at this time, and the future is getting dark. The oppressive regime has intensified its brutal actions. Cities are under military siege. Schools are not operating, and daily activity of individuals has become almost impossible in Oromia. Once again, FIO calls on international community to stop the regime from its brutal acts.
Oromia Shall Be Free!
Freedom and Justice to the Oppressed Nations and Nationalities!
Front for Independence of Oromia (FIO)
Kallacha Walabummaa Oromiyaa (KWO)
February 22, 2016