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OLF Press Statement[VOL – September 13,2020] The Oromo Liberation Front passionately believes that sustainable and permanent solution to Ethiopia’s complex political problems could only be attained with an All-Inclusive democracy and participation of all political forces. To this effect, OLF had been working with various political forces including those in power of ruling the country and opposition groups to create a national consensus to solve the political crises in Ethiopia.
Since, the OLF moved its leadership to the country on 15th September 2018 it committed itself to work with honesty and integrity for the success of the peace process that lead to inclusive true democracy. Although OLF was not happy on how the transition to democracy in Ethiopia was handled by PM Abiy Ahmed’s government from the very beginning, we patiently dealt with the situations with the hope that it would be improved; but not without price. However, the Political reform started in 2018 have faced huge challenges both internally within the ruling party as well as externally with the opposition groups. The situations are getting worse from time to time and currently it reached at stage where everything is out of control leading the government to collapse. Now there is very alarming instability and fractured political prospect in the country and the public have lost hope and trust from the ruling party.
We observed a clear ‘’constitutional crisis” in the country and the party in power has fallen short of its initial promises and has been using the government organs responsible to protect the Constitution towards its own political benefits. Detaining leaders and members of opposition political parties and gross human rights violations is a day to day job of the Government security forces. Despite the atrocities, OLF and other opposition parties have continued to express their willingness to support the reform, individually as well as jointly.In addition to our individual proposals, the OLF is involved in different fora of opposition parties to support the democratic transition. One of the fora was the Alliance for Multi-nation Federalism (Alliance) that aim to provide joint support to the transition and democratic process. In April 2020, this Alliance provided comprehensive recommendations to the government on the transitional process. The recommendations clearly set out how to continue with the reform towards political settlement based on consensus and spelled out how stable democratic governance could be formed through a step- by- step process.The recommendations were drafted within the framework of the Ethiopian constitution and considered the fallacies of the change process and the behavior of the ruling party; the current instability and security issues; and the human rights violations. In general, we analyzed the challenges of the reform system in both directions (the ruling party and the oppositions) and proposed workable recommendation that will be implemented jointly by the ruling party and the opposition groups. The proposed recommendations highlighted to have binding political convention that enables other political parties to take part and to ensure proper oversight of the change process in order to build genuine democracy and help create sustainable peace in the country and would ensure livelihood improvement of citizens in which the Alliance and its member organizations, as well as all other forces would play their part. The proposed binding political convention include the establishment of:
1. Council of Foreign Relation to inspire domestic trust and gain international legitimacy.
2. Coordinated National Security Council for monitoring the implementation of the Security arrangements in regions.
3. Democratic Building Institution to protect the autonomy and authority of independent judiciary, electoral board and independent media that could hold the executives accountable.
4. A body that resolve conflict and disparity between State building and Nation building to create national consensus on resolving outstanding political problems.
5. A body that would monitor the implementation of the convention to limit the quest of any further extension to the election and set out appropriate election date. We also indicated the implementation of the recommendations including the details of responsibilities, system, and mechanism by which these parties would operate.
We believe implementing these proposed recommendations will help to build democracy and help create sustainable peace in the country. It also addresses the security issues in regional states among themselves as well as the disparity between the government and opposition parties and differences among the oppositions themselves as well as address issue of contradictory stand on “State-Building” and “Nation-Building.
Therefore, we strongly suggest that the Ethiopian government should reconsider these recommendations as we believe it will resolve the current widespread crises. Also, we would like to reiterate our willingness to play our part in genuine democratic process if stakeholders discharge their responsibilities.
In this instance, we would like to appeal to the international community to take serious action to safe Ethiopia from constitutional crises and total chaos. Particularly, we strongly appeal to the African Union’s (AU), the UN bodies, EU, and other international community to urge the Ethiopian government to engage with negotiation with opposition parties and jointly set out a road map to all-inclusive democracy through power sharing transitional government that will prepare and implement free and fair elections.
We praise the African Union’s (AU) role in leading and promoting dialogue-centered approach to conflict prevention and resolution in many African countries to maintain peaceful and secure Africa. We believe that the current crises in Ethiopia demands, more than any other entity, serious attention from the AU. In accordance with the article 4(h) of the Constitutive Act of the AU the Union has a right to intervene in a member state to prevent grave violations of human rights.
The national and international evidence clearly shows the continuous gross violations of human rights are committed by Ethiopian Regime on Ethiopian civilians for the last 27 years and in unprecedented scale in the last two years. In addition, there are Organized and strong armed forces emerging in most regional states that threaten the general governance and bring about security crises throughout the country. Given the current crises and fast-moving potential conflicts and threats, the AU must intervene and excel its responsibility sooner than later. Also we would like to stress that the current situation in Ethiopia not only disintegrate the second largest country in Africa but also one of the biggest impediments to achieve AU Aspiration 4 of Agenda 2063 which aspires for “A peaceful and secure Africa”. Moreover, being Finfinnee (Addis Ababa) is the seat of FDRE, capital city of Oromia and the seat of AU headquarters, the security of the AU office and safety of more than 2000 employees working there must be taken into account in line with current peace and instability issues Ethiopia and in particular in Oromia.
We realize the role of UN in averting crises in the world and would like the UN bodies including UN Security Council (UNSC), the UN Human Rights Council, and others play their part in averting the current crises in Ethiopia. Particularly, the UNSC who has primary responsibility, under the UN Charter, for the maintenance of international peace and security, should not give a blind eye when one of the second largest country in Africa is encountered with political, social, human rights and economic crises and eventually collapse.
We appreciate the leading role the EU is playing in promoting economic integration, peace, and stability in Ethiopia, whilst supporting the implementation of national reform agenda and forming diversified development cooperation with Ethiopia. However, the Political reform started in 2018 have faced huge challenges, miss managed by PM Abiy and collapsed. This will halt the EU partnership and all the EU ambitions to Ethiopia. So, we believe that the EU will intervene with its capacities to avert the huge political crises that its key partners in the region is facing now. Therefore:
1. We call up on the AU to intervene into the crises in Ethiopia based on its constitutive right stated in article 4(h) and other supporting articles of the Union.
2. We call up on the UNSC to take appropriate measures in accordance with its obligations stated in Article 39 and 41 of the UN constitutive act as the threats to peace and security is clearly evidenced in Ethiopia. We also appeal to UNHRC to act accordingly to address gross human rights violations in Ethiopia.
3. We call upon the EU to give serious attention to the instability in Ethiopia, especially Oromia, as this is huge conflict of a century and immensely affect the peace and stability in the horn of Africa, and affect the diplomatic and development partnerships of European countries with Ethiopia.
4. We call upon all Political Parties in Ethiopia to seriously take our proposal and work with us to avert looming and eminent chaos. We hereby also call upon Independent Oromo Political Forces and the General Oromo people to prepare for Transitional Government of Oromia to avert any form of political and Security crisis. The OLF will continue to consult stakeholders on this position at both levels of government.
Victory to the Masses! Oromo Liberation Front Finfinnee September 13, 2020
Millions converged at Hulluuqoo Kormaa, Dirree Masqalaa (Meskel Square) in Finfinnee (Addis Ababa) from all corners of Oromia to welcome OLF/ OLA top leader. 15th September 2018. Former rebels in triumphant return to Ethiopia
The awesome Oromo horseman (Obbo Siidaa Dabalee) is the picture of the day on this very jubilation and victory day for freedom, democracy, unity in diversity and multinationalism for the oppressed nations in Ethiopia.
Oromoo fi firooni saba Oromoo miliyoona hedduun lakkaawaman Finfinnee, Hulluuqoo Kormaatti walga’un ABO/WBO gammachuun simatan. Fulbaana 15 Bara 2018.
7 million strong freedom-loving #Oromo have converged on Dirree Masqalaa (Meskel Square) in Finfinnee (Addis Ababa) from all zones of #Oromia to welcome the top leadership of rebel OLF and members of its army (OLA) returning home from #Eritrea after 26yrs of exile #Ethiopiapic.twitter.com/kEa95LTfPI
Impressed with the increased maturity the leaders of different opposition groups are showing . Ato Dawuid has pronounced that his party will pass on the responsibility of defending current gains and building on it to the public . A lot of work ahead of us but hugely encouraging! https://t.co/HhniQFGocA
Ummatni Oromoo gochaa diinaa kana jabinaan dura dhaabbatuun Har –Sadeen bakka uumaa itti galateeffatan malee waltajjii siyaasaa mootummaa itti faarsan ykn eebbisan akka hin tahiin hubachiisuun, mootummaan gochaa kana irraa akka dhaabbatu hubachiisaa fi yaadachiisaa ture. Haa tahu malee mootummaan humnatti amanu kun akkuma bare humnaan to’achuun waltajjii ofii godhatuuf yaalii godheen mormii dhalateen ummata meesha maleeyyii ayyaana kabajataa jiru irratti boombii harkaa darbatuun lubbuu gaaga’ee, waraana lafoo fi helikooptara waraanaan marsee dhukaasa baneen lammiilee fayyaaleyyii Oromoo dhibbaa ol ajjeesuu dhaan diinummaa isaa caalaatti ifa godhee jira. Guyyaan kun Oromoof Sanbata Gurraacha seenaa keessatti hin dagatamne tahee jira.
Kanneen aadaa fi safuu ummataaf kabajaa hin qabne ajjechaa jumlaa fi tarkaanfii sanyii duguggii kana kan rawwatan bakka Irreeffannaatti tahuun ammoo mootummaan kun Ayyaana ummata Oromoof kan kabajaa hin qabne tahuu kan durii caalaa mirkaneesse. Waan taheef tarkaanfii diinummaa kana ABOn gadi jabeessee balaaleffata.
Hawaasni addunyaa, nagaa jaallattootni, dhabbattootni mirga namoomaa gochaa gara jabinaa fi faashistummaa mootummaa Wayyaanee kana akka balaaleffatan ABOn jabeessee gaafata. Addatti ammoo mootummootni mootummaa kanaaf waahela tahan ajjechaan jumlaa haa gahu jechuun callisa isaanii irra aanuun tarkaanfii barbaachisuu fi quubsaa yeroon itti fudhatan amma tahuu irra deebi’ee yaadachiisa.
Ummatni Oromoo mootummaa Wayyaanee ummatoota hunda irratti roorrisaa jiru kun akka gatiittii ummatoota irraa bu’uuf qabsoo gaggeessuun durummaan kaafama. Qabsoo ummatni Oromoo itti jiru fakkeenya godhatuun kan qabsoo mirgaa fi eenyummaa kaasuun falmaa seenanis hedduu dha. Ummatootni qabsoo eenyummaa fi mirgaatti jiran martis gochaa kana akka balaaleffatanii fi qabsoo mirgaa fi dimokraasii ummatni Oromoo itti jiru cinaa hiriiruu fi wal tumsuun falmaa isaanii akka finiinsan ABOn gaafata.
Tarkaanfiin fashistummaa guyyaa har’aa Onkoloolessa 2, 2016 ummata Oromoo irratti fudhatame hariiroon mootummaa Wayyaanee fi ummata Oromoo gidduu kan diinummaa tahuu waan daran caalaatti mirkaneesseef, ummatni Oromoo mootummaa kana irraa ajjeechaa fi hidhaa, xiqqeenyaa fi salphina malee kan argatu homaatuu akka hin jirre hubatee, qabsoo bilisummaa itti jiru bifa hundaan akka finiinsu ABOn dhaamsa dabarsa.
Dhaabotni bilisummaa fi mirga waliigalaaf qabsaawan hundi fi ummatootni marti akka qabsoo hadhaawaa kana finiinsanii umrii mootummaa fashistii kana gabaabsuu irratti akka fuulleeffatan waamicha keenya dabarsina.
Sanbatni kun Oromoof Sanbata Gurraacha Seenaan hin dagatamne dha.
(Oromedia, 13 Hagayya 2016) ABO fi QBO irratti shirri haaraa xaxamaa jiraachuu saaxile. Haata’uutii, ABO fi Ummatni Oromoo lammata shira akkasii akka hin keessumeessine ABOn gada jabeessee hubachiiseera.
Adda Bilisummaa Oromoo ibsa Hagayya 13 bara 2016 mata duree “Gaaffii fi Galii Siyaasaa Ummata Oromoo Caalaatti Ifa Gochuu” jedhuun baaseen karoorri haaraan qabsoo Oromoo dadhabsiisuuf qopheeffama ajiraachuu ibse.
Karoorri kun akak ABOn ibsetti, akkuma London Conference 1991 irratti godhame marraa lammataaf shira qabsoo Oromoo irratti akeekame, kan mirga hiree murteeffannaa Oromoo hin kabajne ta’uu addeesse.
“Akeekaa fi yaada farrummaa QBO kan mirga hiree murteeffannaa Oromoo hin kabajne kana ABO-Qeerroo fi ummatni Oromoo jabinaan dura dhaabbatu,” jedhee jira ABOn.
Itti dabaluunis, “mirgii fi dantaan ummata Oromoo alagaa fi humnoota alaa irraa kanneen dantaa aangoof bulaniin osoo hin taane ummata Oromoo abbaa dhimmaatiin murteeffamuu qaba,” jechuun ejajnnoo jabaan ibseera.
Reiterating the Oromo political Questions and Ultimate objectives of the Oromo struggle The OLF press release
The aims of the Oromo struggle led by the OLF is to realize the Oromo people’s selfdetermination right; to dismantle colonial system from Oromia and to free Oromo from subjugation and to establish free Oromia state. This can be achieved through the sole decision of the Oromo people who will choose either to establish a free Republic of Oromia or to make new political arrangement with neighboring nationalities based on interest, equality, mutual respect and democratic values and principles. This means that the OLF struggles to make an arrangement for Oromo people for free referendum rights.
The Oromo people has struggled and made huge scarifies to fulfill the aims and objectives of the Oromo struggle set out by the OLF. When the Oromo elites and committed individuals developed the OLF program, the central aim was to solve the fundamental political problem of the Ethiopian empire from its roots. The program was not only based on the interest of Oromo people but also considered the interests of other peoples in the Ethiopian empire who were colonized in a similar way and benefit from this struggle.
Thanks to Oromo heroes and heroines, today the Oromo people liberation struggle has reached the stage where every Oromo has gained a full confidence to achieve its long awaited freedom. Also millions of Oromo heroes and heroines are ready to sacrifice their lives for freedom until
the liberation of Oromia is realized. We have no doubt that with the sacrifices of committed Oromo heroes and heroines, the OLF vision, which is also the vision of vast Oromo people, will be achieved. However, we cannot deny that there are internal and external forces that want to give the Oromo liberation movement a blind eye and want to divert the Oromo genuine questions for their own political agenda and strategic interest.
“Banned and forced out of Transitional Government”: Struggle for National Rights and Democracy, in the Era of a “New World Order” – the Case of OLF by Dr. Shigut Geleta full speech.
Dear Mr. Chairman,
Esteemed members of the Swedish Parliament,
Dear Honourable guest speakers,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
First of all, I would like to thank and convey my deepest gratitude to the organizing committee for inviting me to present a paper on this seminar on behalf of the Oromo Liberation Front, OLF. It is a great privilege and honour for me and my organization to be here today representing the Oromo people.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The topic on which I am going to speak is “Banned and forced out of Transitional Government: Struggle for National Rights and Democracy – the Case of OLF”. My presentation is organized in five main parts:-
I will give some background on the Oromo people and Ethiopia.
I will elucidate the birth and grand objectives of the OLF and its formidable role in the past, today, and the future politics of Ethiopia.
I will try to indicate how the vision of “New world order” challenged by Global War on Terror (GWOT).
I will skim over the current situation in Oromia/Ethiopia, and finally,
I offer my organization’s view on the way forward.
On 21st of January all party Groups of European Parliament debated and passed a resolution on the current political situation in Oromia, Ethiopia. Since mid-November 2015 another round of enormous wave of mass protests that started over respect for the right of Oromo People in general and against the expansion of the capital Finfinnee (Addis Ababa) that triggered more to be demanded on the basic fundamental and democratic rights that have been supressed for the last century and half. Instead of looking for the solution the Tigrean People’s Liberation Front (TPLF/EPRDF) led Ethiopian government declared war on the Oromo people and deployed its terrorizing special force (Agazi), the military and the federal police against peaceful Oromo demonstrators and the public at large. In doing so, it put Oromia under martial law tantamount to declaration of a state of emergency. The deployed forces have wantonly killed more than 180 people and wounded hundreds and detained thousands of Oromo farmers, students, teachers, merchants and government employees, including the medical staff trying to treat the overwhelming numbers of the brutalized mass.
(OLF-Statment-December-16) — The illegitimate TPLF/EDRDF led Ethiopian regime, who has been jailing, killing and torturing the Oromo people over the last 25 years, has renewed a second round of war on the Oromo people on December 15, 2015 and has empowered its military force on the Oromo people and Oromia for the purpose of suppressing the protest of the people which is being conducted in Oromia peacefully. Although this war of declaration is not new, there is no doubt that it will result in massacre of peaceful civilians.
This futile attempt of this regime, which has been suppressing and exploiting all the peoples of Ethiopia after coming to power through force of arms in order to silence all peaceful resistance against its repressive rule will not produce any solution other than facilitating its demise. Therefore the Oromo Liberation (OLF) would like to reiterate that the current TPLF led Ethiopian government and the international community who are silently watching will be ultimately responsible for any massacre that is to be perpetrated on the Oromo people.
The Oromo peoples have no choice other defending themselves from the renewed war declared on them by the regime and abort the war of aggression using all possible means. It is the inalienable right of the Oromo peoples to defend themselves. Therefore the OLF would like to make the following calls in order to defend this war of aggression.
To all Oromo nationals who have received military training and currently living with the people:
Organize yourself in your local village and defend your people from this genocidal renewed war declared on them.
To all Oromo nationals who are armed with military weapon:
This war of aggression declared on the Oromo people is also a war declared on you. Therefore you should save your people from massacre using the weapon you possess. Do not give your weapon to the regime and disarm yourself. You should side with your people during such difficult times. We urge you to give your weapon to fighters of freedom around you who have military training.
To all Oromo nationals in the Diaspora
The response of the repressive regime to the legitimate question of our people at home has been bullets. Your people at home, including school children, are sacrificing their lives in the mass protests. Stand with us and your people who are struggling to get away with a century of oppression by all means you can. Support those on the frontlines with your money and resources.
To all nations and nationalities Living in Oromia:
It is easy to imagine that the enemy will use various sabotages in order to silence the popular movement. The regime wishes to extend its rule by making you its allies against the Oromo people by disseminating false propaganda. You should understand that the realization of the right of the Oromo people does not violate the rights of any nationality in Oromia. Therefore, we call up on you to participate in the struggle and get rid of the suppression and exploitation that we all faced together over the last 25 years. You should side with your oppressed brethren by saying “we should not be fooled any more by the enemy”.
To all sons and daughters of nations and nationalities serving in the military, police and special forces of the regime:
The objective of the struggle of the Oromo people is to realize the alienable right of the Oromo over their forefathers land and is not intended to harm anyone. Therefore, do not see the Oromo people as your enemy being deceived by a false propaganda of the re-gime. The OLF will call upon you to stop arresting, beating and killing the Oromo peo-ple. We would like to reiterate that the time will come when you will be individually responsible for the killings you are committing today.
To the International Community:
It is well known that the current TPLF-led government is a repressive regime which is contrary to the wish of the peoples of the country; it has demonstrated by the actions it is taking from time to time that it does not respect the democratic right of the people and it has been an obstacle to the freedom of nations and nationalities. The evidence for this is the cruel and brutal action of enmity on peoples of Ethiopia in general and the Oromo people in particular. Today, the situation has been worsened and has grown to a level of genocide. In order to save themselves, it will be mandatory that the Oromo peoples de-fend themselves from a genocidal war declared on them. If the current situation in Ethio-pia is not resolved quickly, it will lead to human catastrophe and massacre such as the one the world has seen in Rwanda. Therefore, it is the responsibility and obligation of all who believe in peace and democracy to prevent such heinous massacre. We would like to reiterate that prevention of such crime is particularly the responsibility of the United Nations.
In conclusion, the OLF asks the international community to exert the necessary and meaningful pressure on the TPLF-led terrorist Ethiopian regime to stop its act of vio-lence on the Oromo and respect the right of the people to peacefully express their griev-ances and present their questions. If not, the international community will bear historical responsibly for the massacre that will follow by the TPLF regime.
Warreen humna waraanaa, polisaa fi tika Wayyaanee keessa jirtan Oromoo ajjeessuu irraa of qusadhaa. Mootummaan Wayyaanee yeroon isaa dhumatera. Harka walqabannee mootummaa kana kuffisuudhaan bilisummaa, dimokraasii, nagaa fi tasgabbii ummatootni barbaadan argamsiisuuf haa warraaqnu. Manni olla keettii osoo gubatu kiyya nagaa baha jettee hin eegin. Ibiddi mana olla keetitti qabate kees gubuu hin ooluutii.
Hiraarrii fi cunqursaan saba Oromoo irra sirna abbaa irree wayyaaneen geessifamu har’allee babal’atee dameelee hedduu yaafatee gidiraa fi dhiphuu ummata Oromoo akkaan hammeessee jira. Hidhaan, ajjechaanii fi baqi akkuma jirutti ta’ee, maqaa guddina biyyaa, misoomaa fi investimentii jedhuun qonnaan bultootni Oromoo lafa isaanii irraa buqqaafamanii maatiin diigamaniiru. Duulli maqaa misooma biyyaa fi investimentiin geggeeffamaa jiru jireenya Oromoo hundee irraa kan qoree fi lafa akaakilee fi abaabilee irraa buqqisee ilmaan Oromoo hedduun kadhattuu fi harka ormaa ilaaltuu akka ta’an taasisuun dhugaa dirreetti mul’atuu dha.
Gartuun TPLF/EPRDF sirna cunqursaa fi saaminsaa itti fufsiisuuf Oromiyaa dhabamsiisee ummata Oromoo biyya dhablee taasisuuf karoora diinummaa bal’aa lafaa akka qabu dhokataa miti. Karoora isaa keessaa tokko kan ta’ee fi bara 2014 keessa hojii irra oolchuuf yaalee kan dura dhaabbannoon ummata Oromoo isa mudachuu irraa yeroofis ta’u jalaa gufatee ture Karoora Master Plaanii Magaalaa Finfinnee fi naannawa ishee ti.
Karoorri Master Pilaanii Magaalaa Finfinnee fi naannawa ishee jedhamu dhuguma akka sirnichi ololu Oromoo lafa isaa irraa kan hin dhiibnee fi hin buqqisne, jiruu fi jireenya isaa kan hin gaagaane, aadaa, seenaa fi afaan isaa irratti gaaddidduu kan hin buusne osoo hin taane, dhugaa qabatamaan lafa irraa mul’atu Oromoota Finfinnee fi naannawa sana marsanii jiran, kanarra iyyuu darbee haga fageenyaa irratti argaman kan buqqisuu fi diigu, aadaa, seenaa fi afaan Oromoo kan dhabamsiisuu fi bulchiinsa alagaa kan warra gita bittootaa Oromoo irratti kan goobsu akka ta’e qabatamaan mul’ata. Alagaa investara taasisee Oromoo kumoota dhibbaan kan hiyyeessa gadadaawee fi kadhataa taasisuu dha.
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