This is the story of the first Oromo-language radio program, secretly launched in Mogadishu, Somalia, in the 1960s—a daring act of defiance against Emperor Haile Selassie’s suppression of Afaan Oromo.
1. The Birth of Oromo Radio in Exile
Why Mogadishu?
- Under Haile Selassie, Afaan Oromo was banned in Ethiopian media, schools, and government.
- Somalia (1960s): Became a safe haven for Oromo exiles, allowing them to broadcast in their language.
The Founders & Their Mission
| Name | Role | Fate |
|---|---|---|
| Ayub Abubakar | First Oromo radio broadcaster (1960s) | Assassinated in 1967 (stabbed at Lido Beach, Mogadishu) |
| Shantam Shubbisaa | Co-founder, journalist (still alive) | Survived, now in Australia |
| Abdi Hussein | Journalist, co-host | Fled to USA after imprisonment |
| Hindia Ahmed | Producer (Shantam’s wife) | Died after returning to Ethiopia |
| Sheikh Muhammad Rashad | Quranic teacher (broadcast religious programs) | Fate unknown |
The Broadcast (5 Minutes of Revolution)
- Name: “Sagantaa Afaan Oromoo” (Oromo Language Program)
- Content:
- News: Updates on Oromo resistance (e.g., Bale Uprising).
- Music: Revolutionary songs (geerarsa).
- Education: Quranic lessons in Afaan Oromo (by Sheikh Muhammad Rashad).
- Duration: Initially just 5 minutes—later expanded.
2. The Crackdown & Betrayal
Ayub Abubakar’s Assassination (1967)
- How: Stabbed to death by Haile Selassie’s agents (including a white foreign operative) while swimming at Lido Beach, Mogadishu.
- Why: His broadcasts threatened Ethiopia’s linguistic oppression.
- Aftermath:
- Body found two days later, buried secretly in Somalia.
- No justice—killers never identified.
Persecution of the Team
- Abdi Hussein:
- Imprisoned in Somalia for 9 months, later fled to the USA.
- Now 76 years old, living in Minnesota.
- Hindia Ahmed:
- Arrested, released, but died shortly after returning to Ethiopia.
- Shantam Shubbisaa:
- Survived, migrated to Australia.
- Last living witness of this historic broadcast.
3. The Legacy: How Their Work Changed History
Breaking the Silence
- First-ever Afaan Oromo radio program—paved the way for:
- Radio Bilal (1980s)
- Oromia Media Network (OMN)
- Proved Oromo language could not be erased.
Inspiration for Today’s Media
Modern Oromo journalists ( Dhabessa Wakjira, Dejene Gutema) stand on the shoulders of these pioneers.
4. Unfinished Justice
Demands
- Official recognition of Ayub Abubakar as a martyr of free press.
- Documentary: Preserve Shantam Shubbisaa’s testimony.
- Investigate the assassination—who gave the order?
How to Honor Them
- April 15 (Oromo Martyrs’ Day): Include these media heroes.
- Award in Ayub’s name for courageous Oromo journalism.
“They started with 5 minutes of airtime—but gave us a lifetime of resistance.”
Qabsoon itti fufa! (The struggle continues!)
Oromedia 