Readers' Comments on My Concerns Regarding the OLF

My last post http://oneitiopia.blogspot.com/2006/02/tiptoeing-around-2000-pound-gorilla-in.html asking readers to share their views on whether there is reason for Ethiopians to be concerned with the designs of the Oromo Liberation Front netted us the most thoughtful responses I have ever had the pleasure to receive here at One Ethiopia. I am grateful to readers who responded with their sobber assessments of the work and ambitions of the OLF but also of the proper role of ethnics politics in today's Ethiopia.

Many of the most impressive responses were posted to the site as comments at the end of the post. I am so impressed with the maturity a couple of the respondents exhibited, I have decided to publish a few of these as a separate post. We trust readers will not be disappointed.

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H. Gabriel said...

What is to be an Ethiopian? Thank you for your post about this critical issue. I have also been thinking a lot about this issue. Why is it that all the PDO and LF’s want to destroy the spirit of Ethiopianism that is shared by the great majority of Ethiopians and not just the so called Amhara’s. What is it about this sense of pride in being an “Ethiopian” that drives them nuts? Why do they constantly try to denigrate the history (at least the positive part) of the only black nation that defeated European colonialists? Why are they constantly trying to dismantle the positive aspect of nation building that has taken place? The culture of central Ethiopia especially is not just the Amhara or Oromo but a malange that also includes the Tigre, Adere, Gurage and many others. Every nationality had participated in the greatness of Ethiopia. Life in Addis was and still is where the Eritrean, Tigre, Amhara, Oromo, Gurage, Somali and Adere colassed and created their own urban social and political outlook.

I recently saw a video of Mohamud Ahmed and Ali Birra singing together “Almaz meneda new” in Amharic and Oromigna. It brought tears to my eyes. It took me to the days of my youth. I remember when Ali Birra first did his rendition in Oromiga. A lot of non-Oromos learned that song because it hit a nerve. It hit that something inside that tells you this is part of your cultural heritage also. The same with many of Mohamud Ahmed’s guragega songs. They don’t just belong to the gurage. Just like the kitfo, they belong to all of us. That is what people call a melting pot. There certainly was and still is the urban and rural divide, like anywhere else in the world. The city slickers jokes were equal opportunity. It was equally dished out to the Gondere and Menze as well as the Oromo and Gurage. Ethiopia was a feudal empire just like all of medieval Europe. However, the Scottish are as proud of British history as the English. Why can’t we equally be proud of Dej. Balcha Aba Nefso as Atse Menelik, as men who made the white man shake in his boots! By the way, my screen saver for many years has been a fierce picture of Dej. Balcha. When I see his eyes I see the eyes of all our forefathers that gave their life protecting our country.

Meles &Co. and all the LF’s would like us to think the struggle is between the center and the periphery; between the Neftega Amhara’s and other oppressed nationalities. To create the new democratic federal Ethiopia the “old” system has to be dismantled and a new one based on the ethnic and linguistic differences has to be created.

It is certainly true that there needs to be devolution of political and economic power from the center to the regions. The feudal (not necessarily just Amhara) economic relationship basically ended with the 1974 revolution. Unfortunately, the government became the new “feudal” landlord under the Derg and now under the EPRDF.

By now, we know Meles is playing smoke and mirrors. The EPRDF is in fact strengthening the center while pretending to push power to the regions. Although, the regional institutions look democratic on paper (just like the constitution) they are merely tools for Meles & Co. to control the daily life of everyone in the nation. As to the rhetoric against the Neftega Amhara, that is just the rallying cry of raising the ghost of the past to demonize any political opposition. If there are any “Neftegas” today, they are the Agazi troops that are terrorizing the nation from one end to the other.

Ethiopia is a nation where the major ethnic and linguistic groups have a common historical and cultural reference points (good and bad). The PDO and LF’s are focused on what divide us vs. on what unite us. They are more interested in telling us that one’s Addis Ababa is another’s Finfene. We can’t be as proud of the Geda system as the Axumite Empire and so on. I appreciated Berhanu Nega’s (dully elected mayor of A.A.) response to this divisive ploy of the EPRDF. He welcomed the Oromo regional government to Addis as a source of revenue for the Addis Ababa government. If the people of Addis Ababa want to change the name to Finfene, that is their prerogative. Not some PDO or LF’s unless they plan to ethnic cleanse five million people from their homes of generations!

That is why they all hate and demonize the CUDP. As Birtukan Mideksa said Kinjit is a “spirit”. A “spirit” of a federal democratic Ethiopia. An Ethiopia, that is ready for the new while preserving the good of the past.

Anonymous said...

Thanks One Ethiopia.

You expressed the feeling of most Ethiopians who believe that all our problems will only be solved through a united, democratic Ethiopia.

The position of OLF is clear to every one. I do not see them changing it soon. On the other hand, there is a tendency to exaggerate significance of OLF.

I do not believe that OLF is a legitimate representative of Oromos, nor do I believe the Oromo question can only be solved through OLF. I know there is a growing sentiment in favor of OLF among young Oromos but one can't be sure how deeply rooted it is. It is more like an act of defiance against Melese’s tyrannical regime. I remain to be convinced that the young demonstrators who raise OLF’s flag agree with the extremist position of the party, i.e. secession of Oromo zone.

Moreover, OLF is a hallow organization which has been splitting again and again and changing leadership every time they face an obstacle. Since the debacle with TPLF a decade ago, OLF has deteriorated in size and political significance. It has been ridiculed even by its members, and lost too many leaders and supporters. Even now there are two independent groups who claim ownership of the party.

Abdisa

Ethio-Wolqait said...

There is nothing that causes me pain deep in my heart every time I hear, read or see somthing that is intended to divide our Ethiopia. These days the issue of the Oromo particularly of OLF sympethisers is worrying me more than anything. Some of them have even went as far as claiming that they are not Ethiopians. I think this is a deliberate way of trying to create an Oromo nationalism and state. Thus, playing the same game the EPLF and TPLF played during separatist movement.

During my time in Addis Ababa just about 5 years ago,I did not see anything that can be compared to what I am hearing and reading on the cyber world.

All in all I keep asking myself...Is it really that bad on the ground?? Do the Ethiopian people, be it the urabn or rural residents hate this much? Do the Oromo people really want to secede? Does the secession of Oromo solve the root cause of the Oromo people? Can the Oromo problem be solved with out solving the problems of their counterparts? Assuming that Oromo secedes, can it really exist peacefully and develop economically? What is the guarantee that the OLF is not going to be another dictator just like the current day LFs? What is the input of the rest of he Ethiopian people in the dicision making?

Dessalegn said...

I think most of us, understandably, have a lot of trouble relating to ethnic nationalism. I know I did, for a long time.

But as the years have passed by, and I have seen ethnic nationalisms in all their manifestations throughout the world, including the country where I live, Canada, I have come to accept the phenomenon has part of human reality.

I find it helpful not to look at the organizations that push ethnic nationalism, but the people who feel pulled towards ethnic nationalism. What makes them tick? What is it that attracts some Oromos to ethnic nationalism? Is it purely a top-down movement of propaganda fooling the masses? Surely not. There must be some grassroots sentiment that is being harnessed.

The reasons behind this grassroots sentiment are complex, but the solution always involves empowerment through some sort of democracy, democracy defined as the leadership being a reflection of the people's wishes.

Further, it involves accommodation of ethnic nationalist sentiments to some extent. Accommodation comes through negotiation, which requires tact. The LF knows all too well that it has emotion on its side, and that any action than can be interpreted as alienating is to its advantage. Therefore the other side must be sensitive to this and be careful what it says and does.

This is how ethnic nationalisms have been successfully managed throughout the world. I think it's a lesson we ought to learn from the Canadas and Indias of the world.

Abdisa said...

Dessalegn,I agree with you the solution is a democratic system in which every Ethiopian has a stake. For that to happen, the system should guarantee individuals right for free speech, association, ownership of property including land, religious belief, etc.What is the role of OLF in this context?

No one argues the fact that ethnic nationalism is a legitimate issue and any political solution to the crisis in Ethiopia should include organizations with ethnic agenda. However, a number of questions need to be answered regarding OLF.

Is it the one and only party that can represent Oromo people? Is it really possible for one party to fully represent any ethnic group? What is the role of ONC and OFDM? Does OLF have the proper agenda and capacity to solve the problem? What should be done about its misrepresentation of the crisis in Ethiopia between Oromos and other Ethiopians?

Abdisa

Gooch said...

Abdisa,It's difficult to know what the OLF's role should be because we don't know the extent of public support for it. We can guess, but we'll never be sure until it participates in elections. Its role will be defined by the people.

A free election with the participation of the OLF would be fascinating. I think the performance of CUD, ONC, and OFDM in Oromia really surprised everyone in these past elections. I would suspect that the OLF would have its work cut out for it if these parties play their cards right. On the other hand, there may be a re-alignment of forces that we can't foresee at the moment. Ah, it's all guesswork.

One thing for sure, though, the moderating effect of democracy and elections will work on the OLF, too.