An Oromo Obama: The Audacity to Reinvent Ethiopia
In spite of taking up this leading role to the democratization of greater Ethiopia, however, much of the discourse within Oromo nationalism is framed on the project of ‘decolonization’. This, in my opinion, is self-defeating on two major grounds: historic and political.
Today, there are two main signposts on the political trajectory of Ethiopia: those who espouse Ethiopian nationalism and the rest who rally under ethno-nationalism. Many think of these two as antithetical to each other assuming one thrives only at the demise of the other. Such knee jerk reactions of the protagonists stifled sober and sincere dialogue on broader issues of: individual and collective rights, federalism, the constitution, and most importantly on the quest for democracy in Ethiopia. Genuine democratization i.e. laying a democratic state architecture where local, regional, and federal powers are peacefully contested in free, fair and transparent elections is still an unfinished business.
The role of the Oromo elite representing the largest ethnic group in Ethiopia is pivotal to meet these daunting challenges facing the Ethiopian state. Why? To begin with, the Oromo are first among the many ethnic groups that experienced a history of land dispossession and tenancy; political disenfranchisement and cultural oppression following Menelik II’s expansion. Secondly, the Oromo represent the largest population in the country who has many cross cultural and historic ties with many other groups in the country. This, through trade, conquest, assimilation, forced settlements, intermarriage, etc. Thirdly, the Oromo traditionally had a sophisticated democratic franchise-the gaddaa councils- where thorny issues such as resource allocation, inter clan and inter ethnic conflicts were addressed. In my opinion, they have the moral compass and the institutional legacy to play such a constructive role.
In spite of taking up this leading role to the democratization of greater Ethiopia, however, much of the discourse within Oromo nationalism is framed on the project of ‘decolonization’. This, in my opinion, is self-defeating on two major grounds: historic and political. Historically, much of the emphasis in Oromo political history has only been about the 19th century Oromo relations with the ‘colonizing’ Abyssinians. Little is mentioned about the role of Oromo principalities in the heartland of Abyssinia all the way from the 16th century. The Yejju dynasty and the history of Gonderine kingdoms (where, in some instances, Oromiyfaa has been a palace language) is never discussed. Even more glaring omission is the history of the provincial kings of Wollo whose Oromo descent, intermarriage, trade and political ties with their neighboring ‘colonizers’ is evident. This makes us wonder whether Oromos and the Abyssinian ‘colonizers’ are aliens who came to contact , compete and conflict with each other sailing oceans, marked with distinct and mutually exclusive racial, religious and political systems. Such issues make me question the excesses of the colonial thesis.
Politically speaking, this historic narrative of ‘colonization’ has legitimized an obvious political program: liberation up to and including secession. Imagine being in the position of leaders like Nelson Mandela, having the support of the black majority, but advancing a cause of liberation from South Africa. Wouldn’t that sound bizarre and, honestly, self defeating? Looking at the Civil Rights Movement struggle in America; the struggle against Apartheid in South Africa; and the recent election of the first American Black president in the United States; one lesson seems to be pre-eminent-“the cause for liberty and equality should redeem the oppressor as much as it emancipates the oppressed!” The genius of ML King was to argue that the founding ideals of America -liberty, equality and freedom-are universal and that blacks should be able to enjoy them as well as whites! In reclaiming the dignity and rights of blacks, the Civil Rights Movement restored the confidence and morale of whites.
The genius of Nelson Mandela was to undergo decades of incarceration, racial oppression and injustice and yet, be able to foresee a non-racist, non-sexist democratic South Africa, home to black South Africans as well as white Afrikaners. The genius of Barack Obama was to go beyond the confines of black (or race) politics in America (which usually puts African Americans on the defensive reiterating the problems of poverty, inequality, and discrimination in today’s America) showing that an African American of humble background, modest political experience and little or no connections can be the president of USA. It was the audacity to embrace and bank on the support of an average white Iowa farmer, a black factory worker in Illinois, an Asian professor in California, or an Hispanic American in Florida that made Obama’s candidacy phenomenal.
Three features characterize such political figures who raised the bar of politics to a higher threshold. First, they believed the means in any political struggle is equally relevant and meaningful as the end. Hence, they believed in peaceful resistance and renounced violence. Gandhi once asked, “What is victory if someone else loses?” Second, they used the history and legacy of their oppressors as their weapon. Look at the universal appeal of Obama springing from the ideals of America’s founders many of whom were slave owners. Look at Mandela’s use of World Rugby championships (rugby being the most popular sport of white Afrikaners) wearing the jersey and cap of his former foes to re-imagine and re-sketch a new South Africa. Consider the bold move of Obama to win the election race in traditionally republican voting states (such as Indiana, Colorado and Virginia) forcing John McCain to defend his home turf. Thirdly, politicians of such stature imagine, express and invoke ideals beyond race, ethnicity, creed and religion. There is something scalar about politics-people support leaders who have a cause bigger than themselves! Where is the Oromo Obama who makes us think beyond our ethnic, religious and cultural confines? Where is the Oromo intellectual who dares to re-imagine a new Ethiopia? Where is our Oromo Obama who has the audacity and the vision to rally us all (Oromos and non-Oromos) for a new democratic Ethiopia? Where is the cause and where is that person?
As long as Meles is in power, he will do anything possible to prevent the rise of an Obama Oromo, Tigre, Amhara etc.
I think Birtukan Midhagsa is on a horizon to be the next Oromo Obama! Why should you look for another??
Drear Brother it is really a great pleasure to have the opportunity to read ur blog here due to not only of ur remarkable remarks and asute observations but also of ur testified personal respectufull behaviour that back up ur articles. these ur special qualities is the base, in my view, to confer u a position of renowned and infulential public sociologistis like Pierre Bourdieu.
This article is so interesting but it will be more profound if were seen from ur previous article point of, lack of political culture. the past colonization history has already become a stable and universal disource, articulated in the oromo “official” history of knowledg. it needs a revision and multiple views. Stay blessed.
Welcome Addis Negrech to the confused diaspora world.
You see determined to further keep confusing the lost ‘diaspora’. We already have tens of your kind. What is the need to launch a website now?
Good point! Hopefully we shall see the Obama Oromo very soon. Another point that always bothers me is that ‘representatives’ of a majority of the population in a country push for independence? There should be a fight to make sure that the majority rules! There are some gaps in the current debates and this articles touched some. I believe there will be counter arguments(logical ones) for this article and I look forward to hear those.
Why do 100% percent Oromo people choose Tigreans over Amharas when it is the Tigreans who are killing Oromos?
The answer is:
Tigreans are killing Oromos physically
while
Amharas want to kill Oromo identity.
For Oromo people, Oromo identity is much more important than the lives of few Oromos who are being murdered.
Tigreans have allowed the Oromo people to learn in their language while the Amharas still opposed to this fundamental change.
There are several scientific studies that show children learn ffaster and better in their mother tounge(first language).
There are sveral scientific studies that show people who learned in different language other than their first language tend to feel inferiority.
Many people ask me why the Oromo people wouln’t prefer the majority rule in Ethiopia since the Oromo people the majority, rather than opting out to Form Oromia.
Power is less important to the Oromo people. They do not want to be rulers. They only want equality, respect of their identity, their language, their culture and ofcourse their territory.
These days, there is a talk about making Ethiopia a bi-lingual state. If so, almost all federal jobs will go to Oromo intelectuals for they speak two or more languages. No Gondare nor Gojame could speak any of Ethiopian languages, which could eventually limit them to their regions respectively confined to their kilil.
Ethiopia’s political landscape has changed irrevesebly for good. Finally Peace, stability and prosperity are only steps away. It is not the Amharas who should realize that. Tigreans has to learn as well. Monoploy of power by Abyssinians is leaking like the oil rig in the gulf of Mexico.
My advice to all:
Let us learn to live together. Every nation and nationality has a stake in Ethiopia. I think Lidetu Ayalew has a better understanding of Ethiopia and Ethiopian people. If he wasn’t pushed aside by Hailu Shawel and Berhanu Nega, Lidetu could have brought a better future to all opposition parties. For me, I chose to wait and see where he will after the may election and thereafter for years to come.
Meles and his cronies wouldn’t allow any human being with that kind of ability or dream. Even if Obama himself was living in Ethiopia, he would have been thrown to jail or killed.
If there will be an Obama of any kind, he should come from the mountains of Ethiopia leading a batallion and marching to arat kilo-because that is the only way Meles and his gang would leave their post.
This article is timely, thorough, and thought provoking. Thanks Derese for sharing your thoughts on this seemingly untouchable issue. I totally agree with your idea and eager to read more on the topic.
Thanks Derese, these are very important questions. I hope the current “crises” within the OLF and others would result in the emergence of a far-sighted Oromo elite that has the courage to take up the leadership; and enhance democratization so as to emancipate not only the oppressed but also the oppressor from the vicious circle of hate-based-politics.
peace,
YOUR PIECE OF WRITING IS SUCH ELOQUENT AND INTERESTING.I CAN SAY IT DOES HAVE A FLESH TO BIT, BUT I AM NOT SURE WHETHER I CAN BE SATIATED WITH IT. FIRST LET ME ANSWER YOUR QUESTION BY SIMPLY SAYING OROMO OF OBAMA WILL RISE, IF HIS/HER BEING ETHIOPIANESS WON’T BE PUT IN DOUBT AS OBAMA’S CITIZENSHIP HAS BEEN DENIED BY NEOCAN LIKE RUSH LIMBA. I AM OPTMISTIC. TO MAKE THAT SURE FIRST MINDSET CHANGE IS MANDATED. LONG JOURNEY WAITING FOR US. WE ETHIOPIAN CAN GIVE BIRTH NEXT OBAMA IF SIMPLY BEAR FAIR AND JUST IN OUR MIND. TO SIMPLY PUT, IF AS ETHIOPIAN WE RAISE OUR VOICE FOR MORE THAN 35,000 OROMO POPLITICAL PRISNERS, IN FACT BIRTUKAN HAS RAISED THE FIGURE TO 35,001, AS WE DO FOR OTHER POLITICAL PRISONERS, IF WE FEEL PAIN WHEN OROMOS ARE SENTENCED TO DEATH, IF WE DON’T IGNORE OROMOS POLITICAL INJUSTICE AS IT IS NOT OURS,IF WE FEEL ETHIOPIANS ARE DETAINED WHEN OROMO STUDENTS ARE SIMPLY ARRESTED FOR REQUESTING TO SAVE BALE MOUNTAINS FROM THE FIRE, NOTHING CAN BLOCK THE RISE OF NEXT OBAMA. I DON’T THINK WE CAN TREAT THE DISEASE, BEFORE UNDERSTANDING ITS PATHOPHYSIOLOGY.
i would say this article is really inspiring. but truely, you don’t just expect a person to step up and try to be redemptive of all nation. i am not trying to blame anyone, however such mindset is a result of one being educated since birth and passing through values associated to nationalsim and belongingness. this could be done as part of the formal education, or components of the people’s culture. i honestly cant expect a person who has been taught to feel belongingness with a circle no more than his own family or ethnic group to commit to seek solutions that would equally benefit all nation! so as long as we work on our systems that shape people’s mindsets about the big picture, we are lost as a nation!
Briliant perspective which has been in may mind for long. thank you Derese.
I don’t know who the author of this response is. It is a very nice take against AddisNeger blogger’s mistake! I would like to say galatoomi. Enjoy it! http://gadaa.com/oduu/?p=3592
Mr.Derese
You did not understand the relation ship between decolonization and democratization.Democratization without decolonization is impossible.
This is the result the addis neger heros strugling to freedom of expression i know when addis neger was baned by weyane the next future is bright .Who knows we back to our country together viva viva viva adis nege
Ethiopian exiled journalist from yemen
I find it courageous talking such issue publicly as it will help understand the past, present and determine future of Ethiopia. However from my point of view decolonization and demoralization are not opposing factors (according to the writer) but both are the process of liberation for freedom and liberty. Without decolonization there will never be democratization. Therefore in order to democratize Ethiopia we have to embrace and support the Oromo and other liberation forces that are fighting to dismantle the TPLF (Shifta) operation.
Wow it is really woderful to see you back Addis neger keep up the good work Ethiopia
needs you more now than any time before thx
Adugna
In the first place you are woyanne secondly i dont know where you collect your information if it is from dedebit camp
good for you ,woyannes are not less enemies for Oromos than other Ethiopians
and specially for the once who are proud of their Ethiopian identitate
Oromos have tried all available venues to be an “Ethiopian” but without success. Those who call themselves a true Ethioipians (for that matter the Amharas)are not still ready to recognize othe nations including Oromos to be part of the “Ethiopia” they are talking about. Skepticism remains a big issue when it especially comes to Oromo/Oromia. They are not ready to hear the word of Oromo, and Oromia in particular. All they want is to keep the territorial intergity with its previous structure. No one dislikes democratization. However, the decolonization process should come first. This is not an issue of “chicken and egg”.
Hello Dere,
I agree with most , if not all, of your thoughts as most are across the board of two extreme views. You always maintain moderate, compromising and negotiatable ideals.
However, i have to honestly and respectfully tell you that i don’t buy this thesis of building Ethiopia as a nation before first cleaning the mess.
As an Oromoo, even if i don’t represent all, i would like to asure you the following points which is conventional among average Oromoo folks;
1. Ethiopia is unfinished project which still needs re shafeling.
2. Most Oromoos believe building Ethiopia requires starting things from the scartch. Meaning, librate then unite based on full consent.
3. Teach Amaharas course called DEMOCRACY 101 if full participation of oromoo in Ethiopia is pivotal.
your student,
Discussing with OLF and hailu shawel type extremists is like pouring water through a marvel…..Good luck AN!
Addisneger starts to rock again.It is not only ORomoo Obama…. Read also A response from gadaa.com
why do most of the comments are so similar? coincidence? or because they are held by the majority of Ethiopian people? the answer is neither. you guys are what you accuse eprdf of being. you don’t want a different idea to be heard. you want to give the impression that many people think like you.
D. Adugna
” These days, there is a talk about making Ethiopia a bi-lingual state. If so, almost all federal jobs will go to Oromo intelectuals for they speak two or more languages. No Gondare nor Gojame could speak any of Ethiopian languages, which could eventually limit them to their regions respectively confined to their kilil. ”
Do you think language should be the only Criteria for Federal jobs, without other qualifications if a democratic Ethiopia emerges?
I support Oromiffa as a second language. But it shouldnt be used as a tool of discrimination to kick off non oromos. There shouldnt be language barrier, if more languages are Officially used. But ur saying opposes this fact
Oromiffa as second language? Why not first language? What about Tigrigna?
Do you mean Amharic was used as a tool of discrimination?
Adugna,
You just have to learn to speak it – like the rest!
I am really amazed by your article @ Derse Getechawe because you tried to compare incomparable (South Africa and USA apartheids Vs. Oromo’s dispossession of land). In both South Africa and US, the apartheids are removed first before the achievements you mentioned (as white and blacks are living together in South Africa or first black American president Obama). So are you trying to call all Oromo to repossess their land and to give a birth to Oromo’s Obama(Which will never achieved in 1000 years) ? Or are you telling to Oromo to reinvent Ethiopia while their land has gone and their language is not used as official language? Oromo is very far from dominating Ethiopian politics, economy and Culture. Above all Oromo is symbol of losing (losers) as the only large ethnic group in one country of the world but dominated by minorities. Mark my word; it will take a millennium for Oromos to get out this domination. Oromo is known with spirit of accepting being dominated by minorities. Whatever your article is for, it doesn’t make any sense!!!
we already have oromos’s obama ie birtukan midekessa.
Well come addis neger. Edegu Temendegu, Entif Entif, K ayen yawtachihu,…
Derese Getathew:
Your article would have finished with a point if you zoomed out a bit and made your apeal for all Ethiopian politicians instead of exaggerating and making up specific historical occurrences into making them fit your topic.
BTW(this is out of your subjuct): Obama, as you know, is from the Lou tribe of Kenya. The Lou are displaced Agnuak Ethiopians who still speak the same Agnuak (Nilotic) language.
Dear Elisa,
You must be far from the stage of Ethiopian politics. Either you ignored it or didn’t even know Oromo’s political movement. Let me assure you a simple thing that oromo never accepted the domination of Habesha’s tyrant. Let me say again Habesha’s tyrant, I don’t mean justice and peace loving habesha people. Elisa, I wish you visited Ethiopian Prison cell, you would find 90% oromo’s political prisoners. For sure this tells you Oromo is refusing to injustice. If they choose to be dominated why do you think they sacrifice their life, some of them being detained and some of them being killed. I think that is enough. For more please contact Ato Siye Abraha or Dr.Birhanu Negga
Peace!
How were coutries created? It is obvious that no country was created as it is. Every country came in to existence in its own historical ways. I am 100% sure that ethiopian history of becomming one country was not the worst. But it does not mean no one suffered because of bad governance in our history. The idea of considering ethiopia as colinizer is unacceptable to me. Who colonized who? can we say the wolo oromo colonize the north? no. oromo brothers,we are the same country coz we were supposed to be and even if few ppl want, it wont be easy to go against this fact. There was no reason for eritreans to separate from ethopia except bad governance. The best solution was not to separate rather to remove the bad government and replace it with a true democratic system and keep the people unified.
Great article with genuine thoughts !
Readers’comments are even more interesting, showing the level of understanding of Ethiopia’s History. I don’t think that the term ” colonization ” is appropriate in Ethiopia’s context as well as, for that matter, for Eritrea’s case. I want to quote ” People support leaders who have a cause bigger than themselves ” which i liked very much and should be the lesson we should take from your reflexion.I want to say on the same line ” People should think, comment and act (who knows!) regardless their ethnic group or language !!”
Dear blogger,
I am sure that you already got the message from Oromo, who told you to support the decolonization of the nation-state Oromia, if you want to see a certain Oromo Obama helping the democratization of the REGION called Ethiopia. Here is the call: http://gadaa.com/oduu/?p=3624
my dear teacher,
I am proud of you
Hey addis neger….we are really gald to have you back in blog …please let ethi-Dispora learn a lot from your pieces of slice ….as ethiopian ppl did learn back home. I hope you guys have a generation responsibility to make us one and strong…..save us from ‘Dark age of ethio. history’…..
Regard to Derese article….i hope the Oromo ppl once again should pause and ask themselves that, is being separated from the rest of Ethiopia make them a better ppl? After seeing what is happening to Eritrea, with a possibility of living with more resource full Ethiopia. i don’t think separation is an option for them. Let them reach all Ethiopian and struggle hand to hand with all walks of life in this poor land to secure democracy….then they will rule once again as they have the majority size….wake up Oromo friends
boss blogger
this is gift to you http://gadaa.com/oduu/?p=3592
I have interested in all comments related to the to be Dr. Derese getachew’s Article.
Not in article’s comment but the way all are presented: Cool,matured ane omore of acceptable words are used
Dear All,
Thanks for all the comments. I never thought this piece would generate such attention and interaction between people. I am also happy that most of the comments were NOT personal and controversial!!
Even more I respect and really got challenged by people who flat out disagreed with me-Lami, Obsan, Elisa, Jambolani etc.. Gentlemen, there are things I still donot agree with you especially about the distinction you make between decolonization and democratization but the most powerful point you brought up is that whomever is a non-oromo should recongiize symphatize and support all kings of injustices perpetrated against the Oromo past and present.Unless that trust deficit is fulfilled, it is difficult to call out and expect an Oromo Obama- I cannot agree less with you!!
I have seen the articles of Feyyis Oromiya and Tesfaye Kebede.. I respectfully agree with some of the things and I do not about the other. I will write an article about my take on their critique! I have one plea though, let us not make arguments about branding people, ad hominem, ‘habesha democrats’ neo-neftexnyas’, “AFDists” etc…This labelling stifles open discussion..
Galatooma!
Derese
Derese, you just gave us a wonderful piece.I have a lot to share with you.I think the way we interprated our common past is driffting us apart.The issue is what does the facts tell us?There was injustice in the past which the facts clearly can tell us.The current mainstream hitorical discourse should be rewritten to recitify the past injustices.If so, we will have a common plate to stage forward-who ever he/she is from any ethnic group the required Obama, the establishemnt of a democratic sytem will hold us together.But, as you elequontely put it, we need to build a mutual trust which is contigent upon the acceptance of historicl facts as they are by all the elites.Ethiopia’s problem today emanates from:One, injustices from the past;our poverty, and third and most importantly from the so-called elites who has no the gust to see the people byond its vested political and economic interests.May peace and love be upon our people!