President Afwerki’s Disappointing Remarks on Oromummaa
By Zelalem Negassa
The internet is abuzz following President Isaias Afwerki’s recent speech commemorating the 34th anniversary of Eritrea’s independence. While his address touched on a range of global and regional issues, one particular remark struck a deep and troubling chord for me: his dismissal of Oromummaa as part of an externally driven destabilization agenda.
Such a statement reveals either a profound ignorance of Oromo history and identity (which I doubt on his part) or a calculated attempt to delegitimize one of the most significant indigenous movements in the Horn of Africa. As Oromo nationalists, we must collectively and unequivocally reject this distortion and reaffirm both the authenticity and legitimacy of Oromummaa as the rightful expression of our people’s journey toward justice, dignity, and self-determination. Oromo community, scholarly, professional, and civic organizations should raise their voices and ensure that the Eritrean people understand our deep disappointment with their leader’s betrayal. Moreover, President Afwerki’s deliberate or careless conflation of Oromummaa with the ideology of the Prosperity Party (PP) must be corrected without delay. Oromummaa is not a state-sponsored doctrine like MEDEMER. It is a people-rooted identity forged through struggle, not power. Misrepresenting it undermines not only Oromo aspirations but also regional understanding and trust.
President Afwerki’s claim that Oromummaa “does not represent the Oromo people” is not only factually incorrect, it is deeply offensive. More importantly, who gave him the authority to speak on behalf of the Oromo people? This is the same man who hosted the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) in Eritrea for years, not out of solidarity, but seemingly as a strategic pawn, keeping the movement inactive while waiting for an opportune moment to bargain. That moment came in 2018, when he handed over OLF leaders to the Ethiopian government in a move that many rightly view as a betrayal. Oromummaa is not an invention of foreign powers. It is a homegrown cultural and political consciousness grounded in the Oromo people’s values, language, Gadaa system, and collective memory. It emerged organically as a response to a century of marginalization under successive regimes, and it now serves as a unifying force among Oromos across religion, region, and generation.
His comments have already sparked widespread responses from Oromo voices, including outlets like Oromia Dispatch and scholars such as Dr. Mebratu Kelecha, who have rightfully condemned the characterization and challenged other problematic claims in his speech. These responses reflect a growing awareness within the Oromo public of the importance of defending our narrative and confronting external efforts to distort it.
To President Afwerki, I would offer this reminder: once, Eritreans too were told they were not a real people, that their language was an invention. That their struggle for independence was orchestrated by foreign hands (Ya Arab kitrenyoch). They were mocked, dismissed, and delegitimized. History proved those voices wrong.
It will do so again, this time, with respect to Oromummaa. No amount of propaganda, denial, or geopolitical spin can silence a people who have found their voice, reclaimed their history, and are determined to shape their future.
Reviving the Gada System: A Cultural Heritage Initiative
The Sikkoo-Mandoo Conference represents a significant effort to revitalize the **Gada system**, a cornerstone of Oromo cultural and political heritage, which faced suppression during the mid-20th century under Ethiopian regimes. Here’s a structured breakdown of the context, significance, and implications:
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1. The Gada System: Historical Overview
– What is Gada?
The Gada system is a traditional **democratic governance system** practiced by the Oromo people for centuries. It organizes society into age-based cohorts (*gogessa*), with leadership rotating every 8 years. Key principles include accountability, consensus-building, and environmental stewardship.
– Cultural Significance:
Beyond governance, Gada encompasses Oromo spirituality, conflict resolution, and social identity, recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2016.
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2. Suppression in the 1940s
– Ethiopian Centralization:
Under Emperor Haile Selassie (ruled 1930–1974), Ethiopia pursued centralization policies that marginalized ethnic identities and traditional systems like Gada. The regime promoted Amhara-centric culture and governance, leading to the erosion of Oromo institutions.
– Impact:
Gada was suppressed through land reforms (*gulma*), bans on Oromo language (Afaan Oromoo), and dismantling of indigenous leadership structures. By the 1940s, the system became largely dormant, though preserved orally in rural communities.
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3. The Sikkoo-Mandoo Conference: Revival Efforts
– Purpose:
The conference aims to **reclaim Oromo identity** by restoring Gada’s role in modern governance and cultural practices. It reflects broader Oromo activism for self-determination and cultural preservation.
– Key Themes:
– Reintegrating Gada principles (e.g., rotational leadership, environmental ethics) into contemporary governance.
– Addressing historical marginalization through education and language revitalization.
– Leveraging Gada as a framework for **conflict resolution** amid Ethiopia’s ethnic tensions.
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4. Challenges and Opportunities
– Political Context:
Ethiopia’s federal system allows ethnic regions autonomy, but tensions persist between central authority and ethnic nationalism. The Abiy Ahmed government (2018–present), while Oromo-led, faces criticism over balancing unity and ethnic rights.
– Obstacles:
– Modernization and urbanization eroding traditional practices.
– Skepticism from younger generations or those favoring Western-style democracy.
– Potential clashes with Ethiopia’s legal and political frameworks.
– Opportunities:
– Strengthening community cohesion and cultural pride.
– Offering alternative models of participatory democracy and sustainability.
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5. Broader Implications
– Cultural Renaissance:
The revival is part of a pan-Oromo movement seen in events like Irreecha (thanksgiving festival) and the resurgence of Afaan Oromoo in media/education.
– Ethiopian Federalism:
Success could inspire other ethnic groups to reclaim traditions, testing Ethiopia’s commitment to multicultural federalism. Conversely, it may fuel centralist fears of fragmentation.
Conclusion
The Sikkoo-Mandoo Conference symbolizes the Oromo people’s resilience in reclaiming their heritage. While challenges remain, the Gada revival intersects with global movements for indigenous rights and decolonization, offering lessons in balancing tradition with modernity. Its success may depend on dialogue with Ethiopia’s government and integration into broader national frameworks.
Ethiopia’s Crisis: Human Rights Violations in Oromia
The 10 April report from the Oromia Support Group is shocking. Among unprecedented levels of human rights violations, it documents increasing persecution of Oromo youth, the Qeerroo generation which propelled Abiy Ahmed to power, with page after page of documented killings.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s security forces – the ENDF, regional police forces and poorly trained militia – are taking punitive measures against Oromo civilians, killing young and old, destroying homes and looting livestock to deter the population from supporting the Oromo Liberation Army.
Report 69 includes information about areas which usually receive little attention such as the zones of Guji and West Guji. But nowhere in Oromia Region is safe or secure.
Ordinary people in urban and rural settings are suffering unsustainable levels of taxation and abuse. Farmers are made to sell their grain to the government at prices below market value. Villagers are forced at gunpoint to provide their children as conscripts, to pay taxes and fees for construction, and to arm and sustain the federal army and militia at district and kebele levels. Undisciplined militia live off the populace, demanding money and goods in addition to spurious fees for party membership, uniforms, ammunition and ‘health insurance.’
Lawlessness and a dog-eat-dog mentality pervades rural Ethiopia. Villagers and townsfolk in areas adjacent to Amhara Region, especially Horo Guduru and East Wallega, but also zones of Showa and within the Oromia Special Zone in Amhara Region, are also subjected to group killings and looting by Fano militants, originally from Amhara Region but now operating from bases in Oromia.
The ideology of Fano ‘to make Amhara great again’ denies history and portrays the Prosperity Party regime as an ‘Oromo government’ to justify its acts of ethnic cleansing in Oromia Region. Meanwhile, the populace in Amhara Region suffers attacks and reprisal killings from ENDF and Fano forces in the zero-sum game of absolute domination which has bedevilled the Ethiopian empire since its formation.
The current instability and mayhem is unsustainable. Ethiopia’s survival as a state depends on a negotiated peace between the government, Amhara and Oromo forces.
Dr Trevor Trueman, Chair, Oromia Support Group, 10 April 2025.
Global Commemoration of Oromo Martyrs’ Day – April 15, 2025
“Honoring the Fallen, Renewing the Struggle for Oromia’s Liberation”
We extend a heartfelt invitation to Oromo communities, allies, and justice advocates worldwide to join us in observing Oromo Martyrs’ Day on April 15, 2025. This solemn day commemorates the sacrifices of Oromo heroes who laid down their lives for freedom, justice, and the liberation of Oromia.
Why April 15? The Legacy of the Shinnigga Martyrs
On April 15, 1980, eleven leaders of the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) were executed in Shinnigga, Somalia, while on a diplomatic mission to secure international support for the Oromo struggle. Their refusal to divide along religious lines—declaring “We are Oromos first!”—cost them their lives but cemented their legacy of unity and resistance.
Since 1984, April 15 has been observed globally as:
- A day of remembrance for all Oromo martyrs.
- A day of recommitment to the unfinished struggle for Oromia’s liberation.
How to Participate in the 2025 Commemoration
1. Memorial Ceremonies (In-Person & Virtual)
- Time: 1:00 PM (Local Time Worldwide)
- Program Highlights:
- Memorial Service: Honor martyrs with prayers (weedduu), songs (geerarsa), and candlelight vigils.
- Speeches: Leaders and elders will discuss:
- The history of Oromo Martyrs’ Day.
- The current state of the Oromo struggle (e.g., OLF’s Oath Campaign, political prisoners, forced conscription).
- Q&A Session: Open dialogue on strategies to advance Oromo liberation.
2. Global Events
- Oromia (Underground): Secret gatherings at symbolic sites (rivers, mountains).
- Diaspora (Public):
- Minneapolis, USA: Community vigil at the Oromo Community Center.
- Melbourne, Australia: Panel discussion with exiled Oromo activists.
- Berlin, Germany: Film screening (“The Blood of Shinnigga”).
- Virtual Participation: Livestreams via varies Oromia Media (OM) and social media (#OromoMartyrsDay2025).
3. Advocacy Actions
- Demand Justice: Petition the UN to investigate the 1980 Shinnigga massacre and ongoing abuses in Oromia.
- Support Prisoners: Write letters to Oromo political detainees.
- Amplify Voices: Share martyrs’ stories using #OromoMartyrsDay2025.
Saluting the Martyrs: Their Legacy Lives On
This day is not only about grief—it is about action. We honor:
- The Shinnigga 11 (April 15, 1980) and Gidamii 9 (December 23, 1981, poisoned).
- Haacaaluu Hundeessaa (2020), Irreecha Massacre victims (2016), and thousands unnamed.
- Recent OLA fighters fallen in the Shinnigga Oath Campaign.
Their blood cries: “Qabsoon itti fufa!” (“The struggle continues!”).
Join Us in the Fight for Oromia’s Future
- Attend: Find local events at OromoLiberationFront.org.
- Donate: Support Oromo political prisoners and OLF’s humanitarian efforts.
- Educate: Teach the next generation about Oromo martyrs.
“Ammas akkuma bishaan fincaa’aa ol kaana!
(Like the ever-flowing river, we rise again!)“
Contact:
- Email: MartyrsDay@OLF.org
- Social Media: #OromoMartyrsDay2025
Qabsoon itti fufa!
Oromia Shall Be Free!
Oromedia 