Aboma said (August 19, 2010):
Thank you, Gumaa Guddaa, for your insightful essay. The Oromo liberation movement should be protected by all means if those in the movement are advocating for changing course contrary to the interests of the Oromo nation. However, I do not think those advocating for a “paradigm shift” are really against the interests of the Oromo nation. In many ways, the “paradigm shift” is actually needed to show that they’re not against the interests of the Oromo nation; therefore, one Oromo group should not attack the other group since all are working on the same project of freeing the Oromo people and liberating Oromia – in a complementary way each enhancing the other to realize the Oromo nation’s quest for freedom.
As I see it, there are two camps in the Oromo liberation movement – each struggling to get to the mountain top where the Oromo people are free and Oromia is sovereign – and harmoniously existing with others in the Horn of Africa. One group of Oromo liberators want to get to the mountain top with one big step (the “big bang” camp, such as the writer of the above essay, Gumaa Guddaa). The other group, i.e. the 2nd group of Oromo liberators, want to get to the mountain top with several steps, which I call the “gradualists”. The gradualist steps include:
1) a step of solidifying the status quo, where Oromia is recognized as a federal region even though those administrating Oromia have not got there by the Oromo people – these are the genuine Oromos in OPDO
2) a step of changing the status quo to have a real federal arrangement in Oromia where those in power in Oromia will be voted by the people and do work for the people – these are those in OFC
3) a step where Oromia becomes sovereign and the Oromo people free – these are those in ULFO (the most important thing to note here is the “big bang” camp of the Oromo liberation movement is included in this step – including the writer of the above essay).
4) a step where Oromia, as a country with its own state, forms a Union with other independent countries in the region to form a Union of independent countries in the Horn
Now, it is important things to note are:
1) the “big bang” camp (the camp that wants to liberate the Oromo people and Oromia in one step) should see no problem if Oromia has a more autonomous status than what’s currently in place (i.e. why would the “big bang” camp oppose OFC? – I see no reason).
2) the “big bang” camp should never drop the struggle to get to the mountain top with one giant jump. If there’s anyone who advocates that the “big bang” camp should be opposed, I’ll be the first to denounce that group, so does each and every Oromo person. Each and every Oromo will rise up to defeat the defeatists because I do not want, and the Oromo people do not desire, the mountain top to be where OFC wants to get us to. Our mountain top is where the Oromo people are free, Oromia is sovereign, and Oromia is a regional player in the Horn by uniting with others in a Union.
The paradigm shift is really not an attempt by some quarters to make Oromo wear the Abyssinian mask. Not at all. The paradigm shift being requested is for all Oromo man or woman, young or old, rich or poor, Christian or Muslim, East or West or South or North, to line up to defend the interests of the Oromo nation in the ways that they see fit – by coordinating the struggle through the genuine OPDO holding fake power (but defending the base regardless), through the OFC federalists now opposing the racist colonialist at home, through the ULFO liberators rebelling against the Abyssinian System of Domination for whom victory is the complete dismantling of the Abyssinian System of Domination in Oromia to be realized with one “big bang” process (i.e. revolution), and through the Unionists who are advocating for the post independence Oromia to become a regional player in the Horn of Africa by forming alliances with others that will culminate with a Union of independent nations.
The paradigm shift that’s being requested is for the “big bang” group to acknowledge the achievements so far registered by the gradual, but sure steps taken by the Oromo liberation movement: the land reform of 1975 (in which Oromo leaders Baro Tumsa, Zegeye Asfaw and Abiyu Geleta played tremendous roles), the 1991 power sharing with TPLF (in which Oromia was put on the map, the Qubee was instituted as an alphabet and Afan Oromo was started to be used as the official language of Oromia – Oromo leaders Ibsa Gutama and others played tremendous roles in instituting Afan Oromo as an official language of Oromia and introducing Qubee in 1991/92). These crucial steps were the results that gave the Oromo people the confidence to walk tall with chins up! The 100-years of demoralization by the enemy has left the Oromo with eroded self-confidence as Oromo – without the land reform and the realization of Oromia, the Qubee generation – the generation with utmost confidence in being Oromo – would not have been realized today.
The small steps we, as the Oromo nation, take today may seem a betrayal of the cause for which thousands unselfishly gave up their lives – but the Oromo struggle should go through a paradigm shift of having several steps that are achievable given the political conditions in the Empire, the Horn of African region and the world. By having these several steps, we’ll be a step closer to the mountain top (not a step behind). Was the 1975 land reform a step behind because Oromia did not become independent right there and then? Was the 1991 realization of Oromia and Qubee a step behind because Oromia did not become independent right there and then? Once we get a step closer to the mountain top, no one will force us to go back because the people will rise up to defend the status quo (at minimum) and/or to further advance the struggle towards the mountain top. Any group taking the Oromo a step closer should, therefore, be supported even though we may not necessarily support how small a leap they want to take us … in other words, genuine Oromos in OPDO have no leap (they are defending the status quo thus far achieved for Oromia), the OFC wants to make a leap towards an autonomous Oromia (great, let us not oppose an autonomous Oromia), the ULFO wants to make a giant leap towards the mountain top of free Oromia (great, let us not oppose the free Oromia), and the Unionists want to make the final leap to the mountain top (great, once we have an independent Oromia, the next step is naturally becoming a regional player, doing so with the Unionists should not be opposed).
Let us all rally behind the all those who struggle for the interests of the Oromo nation; let no Oromo condemn another Oromo unless regression is seen in them. The paradigm shift is on how we look at the struggle, not on where the struggle should go. The struggle has the target to take us to ONE MOUNTAIN TOP – we should not fight over how we get to that mountain top (the “big bang” camp should acknowledge, and coordinate with, those struggling to take the Oromo to the top using several intermediary steps.)
Thank you for your time.
Aboma said (August 21, 2010):
First, thank you Gadaa.com for emphasizing some of the statements I made in my previous post. You guys rock!
Hordofaa Dhugaa, I apologize if I used the term ‘camp’ to mean anything, but ‘group.’ I am not a big fan of political jargon, which obscures communicating with all members of the society. That said, let me get back to some of the points you raised regarding my comment.
Why do the different groups in the Oromo liberation movement oppose each other?
- The way I understand the ‘paradigm shift’ (or you can say the ‘paradigm shift’ I advocate for) is for the different Oromo groups to see that each group is struggling to secure the interests of the Oromo nation, but with varied scopes, such as the genuine OPDO working to secure the cultural/linguistic liberation so far achieved (even though, politically Oromos are still in slavery and colonization), the federalists in OFC working to secure partial political liberation through real federalism (autonomous status for Oromia), and then the liberators in ULFO (and also a faction of OLF called QC) working to secure full political liberation through rebellion (sovereign Oromia), and finally the unionists in a faction of OLF called Shane working to secure a Union of independent nations in the Horn (thus creating a strong Oromia that’s also a key regional player).
Now, those in ULFO/QC_OLF group (the one I called the “big bang” group in my earlier post) do see the two steps as diversions from the real struggle of the Oromo people (i.e. securing a sovereign Oromia). The two steps seen as diversions by the “big bang” group are: 1) OFC’s struggle for Oromia’s autonomy, and 2) Shane_OLF’s moves to secure a regional alliance (here, let me be clear that I don’t know the scope of the alliance Shane_OLF is seeking – is it a Union of independent nations or an autonomy of Oromia in the Ethiopian context?)
It is totally understandable if the ULFO/QC_OLF group sees the two steps as diversions only if these steps were meant to work AGAINST the interests of the Oromo people. However, the two steps given above are not diversions, but are actually needed to conduct a full-fledged (mature) struggle — in other words, the two steps are must have’s.
The conflict in the Oromo liberation movement (i.e. Shane vs. QC), I think, arises:
1) from ULFO/QC_OLF – not fully understanding the real intentions of the Shane (i.e. make the Oromo struggle one that plays on all fields (i.e. autonomy, sovereignty, and regional player for a free Oromia/Union) rather than only be limited to one step of struggle for ’sovereignty’), and
2) from Shane – for trying to rewrite one step of the struggle (i.e. the sovereignty step) that is the base of the Oromo liberation movement. Shane wanted to play on all fields (including the sovereignty step), but forgot to NEVER lose its base (which is the sovereignty step). Remember what happened to Senator McCain during the presidential election in 2008 in U.S.A., Senator McCain was impressing most fields of the Republican party and even some nonpartisan independents at the expense of the base of the Republican party (i.e. the conservatives) in the years leading to 2008. What happened to McCain on election day in 2008? – the base of the Republican party did not go out to vote for him. Being a Republican party candidate (loved by independents and some moderate Republicans) alone was not enough for him to secure the presidency. Never, never, never lose your base!
3) from some egotistical infighting – When the air of discourse is filled with major politicians who have dedicated their entire lifetimes (with the memories of their fallen comrades in their minds), a discussion on changing tactics could quickly be misunderstood as changing kaayyoo.
That is why I think what Gadaa.com is doing here should be acknowledged as it created a forum where we iron out, not only our differences, but also our misunderstandings about one another. So far, I have been a non-aligned observer; from now on, I will pitch in my views and opinions as the stakes are high for the Oromo this time around. We can not, WE MUST NOT, let petty misunderstandings, that we have about each other, get in the way of securing steps that will get us closer to the mountain top.
Having said that, those in QC_OLF should join ULFO and secure the base of the Oromo liberation movement. I do not believe that if Shane wants to play on all fields as it’s proposing now that QC_OLF should unite with Shane. I think ULFO has gained enough political assets in the 2000’s (in the decade following its formation) as the base of the Oromo liberation movement it can now operate side by side with Shane (the group that should coordinate the liberation struggle on all fronts: autonomy, sovereignty and Union). By doing this, we address the concern of QC (i.e. OLF should now become a pan-Oromo organization, by “pan” I mean ‘embracing all political options available at a given time and situation’); we also address the reckless move of Shane (i.e. we secure the base with a strong ULFO).
I totally understand QC would like to continue as ‘OLF’ as it has also won the case in the Minnesotan court, but the court of public opinion says QC should join ULFO and strength the base of the Oromo liberation movement.
I think I’ve addressed all of the questions raised by Hordofaa Dhugaa in one or another way. But, I just want to make one point clearer.
Make no mistake, I have already mentioned it in my previous post, any group that wants the “big bang” (ULFO/QC) group of the Oromo liberation movement to disband commits treason against the Oromo people. The ultimate goal of the Oromo liberation movement is not to be an autonomy (State) in Ethiopia, but to make Oromia become a sovereign state.
However, because the Oromo liberation movement, as a whole, is weak militarily (by design or by unforeseen circumstances), we need to have a politically versatile tactic in which we get up the mountain top inch by inch, yard by yard, foot by foot, mile by mile (that is to say:
1) we moved to the base called “OPDO Oromia” in 1991 and is now secured that with genuine OPDO’s (don’t get me wrong, this base was first secured by the OLF tactical move to join the power sharing TGE in 1991),
2) then we need to move to the base called “OFC Oromia” and secure that,
3) then we MUST move to the base called “ULFO Oromia” and secure that, and
4) ultimately, we need to transform Oromia into a Horn of African regional player by SEEKING a Union with all other WILLING nations – which, I think, is Shane’s vision, so I’ll call it “OLF OROMIA”.
In short, QC and Shane are both correct, let us all call what has so far transpired between these two groups as a mere misunderstanding, and MOVE ON – in the future, we’ll constructively criticize each other, and most importantly, coordinate the OROMO CAUSE.
Why should ULFO/QC cooperate with Shane/OLF? (Posing a question to myself and trying to take a stab at it, if you allow me):
You remember what I referred as the “big bang” group and the “gradualists”?
1) The “big bang” group (ULFO/QC) would like to see a freed Oromo nation and a sovereign Oromia accomplished in one big major step (similar to a revolution). Do we really want that kind of drastic change in the Horn of Africa – the most conflict prone region of the world, I mean, HORN OF AFRICA is what you’ll see in the dictionary under “conflict”. I am not saying it’s not achievable, just saying it’s not sustainable. Enemies surrounding Oromia will play us against each other along clan lines, religious lines, and what not. I rather have gradual changes that will result in a sustainable outcome instead of a revolution.
2) The “gradualist” group (genuine OPDO/OFC/Shane) will take them time (I’m talking about ‘excruciating time’ that may drive some folks to think the Oromo liberation movement is dead); the reason being the enemy does not want to morph (change) into an advocate for the Oromo cause. The enemy will be changed only by FORCE or imminent danger to the status quo. The enemy will not hand over the key to Oromia however gradual we make the struggle. Therefore, we need the “big bang” group to bring about imminent danger to the enemy’s status quo.Malcolm X & MLK: Two Men, One Vision!
Source: Google Video Do you know where I’m getting at? Yes, the “big bang” (ULFO/QC) group and the “gradualists” (genuine OPDO/OFC/Shane) should work hand in glove with each other in order to bring about a change (i.e. move to a step closer to the mountain top), and then grab and secure the newly acquired base, respectively. Let me throw another example of mine: without Malcolm X, Dr. Martin Luther King would have been a dove without wings during the American Civil Rights movement. Purposely or unknowingly, Malcolm X and Dr. Martin Luther King both waged the struggle in a ’squeeze and grab’ fashion (let’s not go into detail of who the squeezer was, and who the grabber was – I think that’s clear!); and Dr. Martin Luther King’s dream was able to fly to the White House some 40 years later because it has had wings.
Over the last 20 years, we squeezed the enemy, but failed to grab achievements along the way because the struggle was designed in such a way that we grabbed all of it, but not some of it. So far, over the last 20 years since the fascist TPLF came to power, we have simply wasted time securing the same base, which I called it above, as “OPDO Oromia.” We have not moved an inch to “OFC Oromia” because the enemy has worked us up to divide and colonize us. Isn’t it in 2008 there even came about the “OFC” step? Very late in the game. The reason for this is the enemy was distracting us by dividing the Oromo liberation movement, by trying to undermine the current base (here, I am referring to the Finfinne debacle as the capital of Oromia or not), and by constantly throwing obstacles while we are on our way to “OFC Oromia.” The era of the enemy defining the course of actions MUST END NOW! The ULFO/QC and Shane groups in the Oromo liberation movement should wise up to drive the enemy (both the old and the neo) into total disarray by securing the base firmly (ULFO/QC) and by allowing Shane/OLF to play on all fields leading to the mountain top.
One more analogy to describe the base-by-base (inch by inch) approaches of conducting the struggle in steps (genuine OPDO, OFC, and OLF) and also in full swing (ULFO/QC) – this is for those who are fans of Baseball:
*** Baseball – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baseball– in baseball, victory comes by going from base to base (first base, then second base, and then third base – and finally, home). One player stands at the home base with a bat and with a determined mind to dash for the first base as soon as he hits the ball coming from the pitcher (who stands at the center of the diamond-shaped arrangement for the bases.) How far the batting player moves to secure bases depends on how far he hits the ball and how fast the field players (who’re on the side of the pitcher) bring back the ball to the pitcher. He can run to first base, secure it, then make his move to the second base if the ball has not come back to the pitcher, and so on. He may also be lucky and make a “home run” – which is the ball is outside of the field, and the field players can not get to it, so the batting player just dashes from first base, to second, to third, and then home.
== The reason I brought up the baseball game here is to show that “home run” (the “big bang” proponents – ULFO/QC) do advocate for the spectacular finish of the Oromo struggle, similar to the “home run” of the Eritrean case (remember that Eritrea did not have to worry about autonomy as part of the option in 1991 – they just made a ‘home run’ for complete liberation from Ethiopia, but it took 30 years of unabated war and a determined core Central Committee with a dictator in charge). But, what most people forget in the Eritrean case is Shabia was not completely opposed to ‘autonomy’ – it was Mengistu who saw ‘autonomy’ as a defeat of “ETHIOPIA.” The Oromo liberation movement is completely different from that of the Eritrean case – we do not believe in the “core” dictatorship – our struggle is based on the Gadaa system, thus consensus of those in charge is encouraged and ALLOWED; in the Eritrean case, any critical view of their struggle may land you six feet under.
== But, just because a ‘home run’ is what makes the struggle spectacular should not prevent us from getting to an intermediary base (just like baseball) and securing that base at all cost, and then dashing to the next base leading us to the home base (i.e. the mountain top). Let’s hit the ball as far as we can get it, and make a dash for the home (the ‘mountain top’) in a ‘home run’, if possible, or by moving from base to base, if that’s what we must do.
Let ULFO/QC secure the Oromo liberation movement; and let Shane as OLF play in all fields with or without alliance with or without Abyssinian forces.
May Waqaa wise up all groups in the Oromo liberation movement and give them the courage to make the inevitable dash for the ‘mountain top’ step by step, and/or in a ‘home run.’
I think what makes my view different from Fayyis Oromia’s view is he’d like QC to stop calling a spade a spade. I say calling a spade a spade is QC/ULFO’s job, but only if the spade is Abyssinian. NO more intra-Oromo liberation movement vilification, but constructive criticism should be
Aboma’s comments were posted under the article by Gumaa Guddaa
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