A tragic incident: Oromo woman was shot and killed.
[SBO – November 24, 2025] Oromo Woman, Likkinesh Tarrafaa, Reportedly Killed by Gunfire in Boji, West Wallagga.
A tragic incident has been reported in the West Wollega Zone of Oromia, where an Oromo woman was shot and killed.
According to a report obtained by the Sagalee Bilisummaa Oromoo (SBO) media outlet, the victim, identified as Likkinesh Tarrafaa, was fatally shot by armed assailants on the morning of Monday, November 23, 2025. The killing took place in the Boji area of the West Wallagga zone.
The report states that the identity of the armed group responsible for this act remains unknown. It is also reported that the local community has been plunged into a state of severe fear and anxiety following the killing.
This targeted killing of Likkinesh Tarrafaa is a heinous act that demands immediate and transparent investigation. All relevant authorities must be held accountable to clarify the circumstances of this death and bring the perpetrators to justice.
Remembering Professor Hamdeessaa Tusoo: A Legacy of Oromo Advocacy
A Message of Condolence from the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) on the Passing of Professor Hamdeessaa Tusoo
The Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) expresses its profound grief and sorrow upon learning of the passing of the esteemed Oromo scholar, historian, and human rights advocate, Professor Hamdeessaa Tusoo.
Professor Hamdeessaa Tusoo was born and raised in Nageellee Arsi, West Arsi Zone, in the southeastern region of Oromia.
From his youth, Professor Hamdeessaa was a witness to the oppression and resistance of the Oromo people under successive Ethiopian imperial regimes. His personal history reveals that he grew up amidst the struggles of his people, developing from an early age into a resolute individual who refused to be a tool of the enemy’s oppression.
After completing his primary and secondary education, Professor Hamdeessaa pursued advanced studies abroad. He earned a B.A. in History from Avondale College, Australia (1972), an M.A. in Conflict Resolution from Andrews University, USA (1974), and a Ph.D. in Conflict Resolution and Peacebuilding from Michigan State University, USA (1981). His doctoral research focused on conflict resolution, peacebuilding, and the role of Oromo cultural traditions.
Leveraging his academic expertise, he conducted various research projects and served as the Director of International Student Services and Oromo Cultural Affairs at George Mason University (1982โ1990), where he engaged deeply with the Oromo diaspora.
His distinguished academic career also included positions as a Professor in the Department of Conflict Resolution at Nova Southeastern University (1998โ2004), the Esau Distinguished Visiting Professor of Conflict Resolution at Menno Simons College, University of Winnipeg (2006โ2007), and a Professor in the Department of Peace and Conflict Studies at the University of Manitoba (2011โ2019).
Among his numerous scholarly publications is the work Creating The Third Force: Indigenous Processes of Peacemaking, which presents the Oromo Gadaa system as a model for other nations.
Professor Hamdeessaa also played a significant role in the Oromo liberation struggle. He collaborated with Oromo activists, both living and deceasedโsuch as Luba Guddinaa Tumsaa, Jaal Baaroo Tumsaa, Professor Muhaammad Hasan, Professor Asaffaa Jaallataa, and othersโon matters concerning Oromummaa (Oromo national identity).
Furthermore, he initiated the “Shanachaa Jaarsummaa” (Elders’ Mediation) process (2001โ2004) in a long-standing effort to resolve political conflicts within the Oromo liberation movement.
His contributions extended to international advocacy, including his involvement in the “Immigration and Refugee Forum” during the 1980s, which helped secure refugee status for Oromos in the USA, and his participation in the London Peace Conference (1991) aimed at transforming Ethiopia’s political system.
He was also instrumental in founding the Oromo Studies Association (OSA), through which he promoted extensive research and scholarship.
Moreover, as a professor to countless university students, he planted the seeds of peace, human rights, and social change, inspiring many to become advocates and achievers in these fields.
Professor Hamdeessaa Tusoo was an Oromo intellectual born into the Oromo struggle, who matured within it, and strived tirelessly to see the fruits of Oromo liberation. He passed away on November 22, 2025, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
The Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) shares in this irreplaceable loss and extends its deepest condolences to his family, relatives, and the entire Oromo nation, wishing them patience and strength.
A fighter falls, but the struggle continues!
Victory to the Masses!
Oromo Liberation Front (OLF)
November 23, 2025
Finfinnee
Oromo Studies Association Remembers Professor Hamdeessaa Tusoo
Oromo Studies Association (OSA) Mourns the Passing of Professor Hamdeessaa Tusoo
The Oromo Studies Association (OSA) has expressed its profound sorrow upon the passing of the esteemed scholar and activist, Professor Hamdeessaa Tusoo.
In an official statement, OSA remembered Professor Hamdeessaa not only as a brilliant Oromo intellectual but also as a founding member who played an indispensable role in the establishment of the association. The statement emphasized that his contributions to the fields of Oromo scholarship and the global academic community were truly immeasurable.
The association highlighted his pivotal leadership from the very beginning, noting that he served as its first president and laid a strong foundation for the organization. This was at a critical time in 1986 when Oromo history, knowledge, and culture were under significant pressure. Professor Hamdeessaa provided crucial leadership and made immense contributions to building a robust institution dedicated to critical inquiry, intellectual empowerment, and collective advancement.
OSA’s statement further detailed the professor’s lifelong dedication. Born and raised in Oromia, he waged a long and steadfast struggle for the rights, dignity, and freedom of the oppressed Oromo people.
His commitment to the Oromo cause was evident early on; while in secondary school, he began his activism in human rights, demonstrating an unwavering sense of justice and a spirit of self-sacrifice for the goals of his people. These early experiences set the tone for a life dedicated to scholarship, mentorship, and public service.
After earning his Ph.D. from Michigan State University in 1981, Professor Hamdeessaa held significant academic positions at numerous prestigious institutions, including George Mason University, Antioch University, Nova Southeastern University, Menno Simons College, and the University of Manitoba.
His scholarly work was robust, focusing on critical areas such as peace and conflict, indigenous peacemaking, African oral traditions, and the politics of the Horn of Africa.
Beyond the academy, OSA noted, Professor Hamdeessaa Tusoo also played a major role in community service and empowerment, leaving a legacy that extends far beyond the classroom.
Oromedia 