Political program of Oromia Liberation Front- O.L.F

     August 31, 2013 

Oromia liberation Front- O.L.F.

Historical back ground.

Oromia is located in the Horn of Africa bordering on the north and northwest by Ethiopia, on the east by Ogadenia and Republic of Djibouti, in the Northeast by the regional state of Afar, on south East by the Republic of Somalia, on the south by Kenya, on the Southwest by the regional State of Southern peoples and on the West by regional State of Benishangul. Oromia is the largest land mass in the empire of Ethiopia inhabited by over forty million ethnic Oromos.

Aayyoo Makka remembers the battle of Dhombir

by Abdullatif Dire

(OPride) – “It was a grievous experience,” said Makka Bariso somberly recounting her unspeakable ordeals under successive Ethiopian rulers starting with emperor Haile Selassie.

Makka — or as she is affectionately called Akkoo meaning grandmother in Oromo — is the oldest wife of the late Hajii Adam Jilo Webo, a prominent figure in the Oromo struggle for freedom. Webo died in exile in 2005 after decades of resistance against three Ethiopian regimes, including the current one.

Singer Eebbisaa Addunyaa was gun down by Woyyaane 17 years ago, August 30, 1996

Jafar Abafogi/facebook | August 30, 2013

It has been 17 years since Eebbisaa Addunyaa, the famous revolutionary Oromo nationalist and patriotic singer was murdered by Woyyanee security forces on the street of Finfinee. The extremely fearless and vocal advocate of the Oromo people, was gunned down in his home, along with his friend – Tana Wayessa, on August 30, 1996. “Today, Friday August 30th, we mark the 17th Anniversary of the his Execution. Eebbisaa is an inspiration to all of us. Not only because he changed the Oromo nation with his music, but for the fact that he “did not give up or give in” no matter how bad the oppression got.

Looltoonni Ambulaasiin Dhufanii Barattoota Qaban

Jalene Gemeda

August 31, 2013, WASHINGTON, DC (Voa Afaan Oromoo) — Bulchiinsa naannoo Oromiyaa Godiina Gujii Anaa Gooroo Doolaa magaalaa Arqallo keessatti erga Hagayya 27, bara 2013 as barattoonni kudhanii fi barsiisaan tokko hidhamuu jiraattonni magaalattii ibsanii jiru.

Frequent loss of lives in Moyale unacceptable

August 29, 2013 (Standard Digital) — It is inexplicable that innocent lives are being lost in Moyale in a country that prides itself as being peace loving. Or could the local anecdotes that the residents of the border town do not belong to Kenyabe true?

Surely, it is not beyond the ability of the police and other law enforcement departments to end the on-going bloodletting that has already cost six lives in as many days. The genesis of the regular conflicts should be well known to the local leaders as well as those in the national government whose raison d’être is to protect lives and property.

When Would the Specter of Heinous Persecution Against Oromos End?

Hawasa Oromo in the Netherlands | August 29, 2013

We members of the Hawasa Oromo in the Netherlands are stunned by the death of Tesfahun Chemeda Gurmessa in Ethiopian dungeon on the 24th of August 2013.

Tesfahun Chemeda was exemplary activist in Oromo student movement while he was studying in Finfinne/Addis Ababa University.

Meseret Defar wins women 5000m and Tirunesh Dibaba finish second

Winner Ethiopia’s Meseret Defar celebrates after the women’s 5000 metres final at the 2013 IAAF World Championships at the Luzhniki stadium in Moscow on August 17, 2013. Defar produced a telling sprint finish to hold off a strong challenge from fellow-Ethopian Tirunesh Dibaba and win the 5,000 metres in the Diamond League meet in Zurich on Thursday.

Aug 29, 2013 (AFP) – Meseret Defar produced a telling sprint finish to hold off a strong challenge from fellow-Ethopian Tirunesh Dibaba and win the 5,000 metres in the Diamond League meet in Zurich on Thursday.

Why The Designation, Oromia or Cushland, Instead of Ethiopia?

     August 28, 2013 

The allergic rejection of the name Ethiopia by most of the Oromo nationalists and some others in the Empire is going on. I personally came to the conclusion that, eventhough political business is possible using this trademark, trying to sell it to the Oromo is almost the same to inflicting injury to the already existing wound.

ዓሊ ቢራ፣ የሸዋሉል መንግሥቱ እና “ዮቢ ሐደሶ ሊባነታ”

ጸሓፊ፡ አፈንዲ ሙተቂ

——-

ዛሬ ስለምን የማወጋችሁ ይመስላችኋል? ስለ“ፈስ” ነው የምንጨዋወተው፡፡ አዎን ስለ “ፈስ” ነው! ስለርሱ መጻፍ አይቻልም እንዴ? ስለርሱ ብንወያይ ነውረኛ እንሆናለን? የፈለጋችሁን በሉኝ! የጀመርኩትን ሳልጨርስ አላቆመም፡፡

   ደግነቱ ስለሚገማ “ፈስ” አይደለም የማወጋችሁ (ስለዚህ አፍንጫችሁን አትያዙ! ቂቂቂቂቂ….)፡፡ ስለማይገማ “ፈስ” ነው የምጽፍላችሁ፡፡ እንዲያውም ይህ “ፈስ” ባለመልካም መዓዛ ነው፡፡ ሽታው እንደ ሉባንጃ (ሊባንጃው) እና እንደ “ሊባን ፎህ” መዓዛ ያውዳል፡፡

Too crowded to train: The dire state of medical schools in Ethiopia.

By M.H. Idriss, M.D.                                                                               August 27, 2013.                

On a bright monday morning, I was breezing through my routine lecture for a group of medical students spending a few weeks of clinical training in the hospital I work in. As I began the last part of my lecture detailing the treatment of a very common disease I was teaching for the day, I popped a question asking how many of the students had observed or perhaps done a very common procedure commonly used to treat the disease.

Ethiopia: The Government is accountable for the death of a political prisoner at an Ethiopian Jail

HRLHA Statement

August 26, 2013

The Human Rights League of the Horn of Africa strongly condemns the atrocious torture and inhuman treatment by the Ethiopian government against its citizens and hold it accountable for the   death of a political prisoner and prisoner of conscience Engineer Tesfahun Chemeda on August 24, 2013 in Kaliti prison.

Qophii England Oromo Community

Qophiin England Oromo Community gaafa guyyaa 20/08/2013 milkiin xummurame jira. Kaayyon sagantaa kana filannoo koree hojii gaggeessitu filachuu yoo ta’u , dabalata bareedina aada faaru alaaba fi aada oromotin babareede oole.

Death in Ethiopian custody of Engineer Tesfahun Chemeda, after refoulement from Kenya

Date: August 26th 2013

Open letter

Death in Ethiopian custody of Engineer Tesfahun Chemeda, after refoulement from Kenya

To: Honourable Kevin Rudd,

Australian Prime Minister

It is with sadness and anger that Oromia Support Australia Inc. OSGA reports the death of a young Oromo in Kaliti prison, Ethiopia, on 24 August, 2013, yesterday. Tesfahun Chemeda was a student activist in Ethiopia and a political asylum seeker among refugees in Kenya, where he was granted refugee status by UNHCR. He was arrested with a colleague, Mesfin Abebe, by Kenyan ‘anti-terrorist police’ on 2 April 2007.

Irrecha: From Thanksgiving Ritual to Strong Symbol of Oromo Identity

By  Asebe Regassa, PhD Candidate, Bayreuth University | August 24, 2013

Introduction

Irrecha celebration in Hora Arsadi

It has become evident since recently that the Oromo across religious, political and geographical boundaries have converged together in celebrating an annual ritual/festival called irrecha. Historically, irrecha has been understood and practiced within the context Oromo religion,Waaqeffannaa – a belief in one supernatural power called Waaqa (God). However, as I will discuss shortly in this piece, irrecha has undergone some transformations in accommodating non-religious aspects of Oromo culture and thus has played significant role in building Oromo identity and sense of unity.

The battle over the Oromo Liberation Flag

   By Rundaasaa Asheetee Hundee                                                               | August 25, 2013

The battle over the Oromo Liberation Flag between all those who claim to represent the Oromo people demonstrates how gross deception is employed with respect to representing the Oromo freedom.  For example, peaceful means of struggle requires disarming oneself and compromising with the ruling Tigre clan. That means, any group or individual that agrees with the ruling colonizing Tigre force must agree with the resettlement program that the Tigre rulers are undertaking in Oromia, and they must support the resource exploitation and degradation even if it ultimately leads to resource-based conflicts between the native people and the new Arab and Indian settlers.  Following this objective, one must stop calling one’s party or group “the FRONT”. 

Siidaa fi Paarkii Abbaa Shiraa Mallasaa!

Baarentuu Gadaa irra | Hagayya 25, 2013

Nama yakkamaa abbaa shiraa fi dursaa wayyaanee ture Mallas Zeenaawiitif Siidaa fi Paarkii ijaarra maqaa jedhuun uummata Oromoo mahaalaqa humnaan akka buusuuf dirqiisiisuun yakka lammataa ti!

Tibba kana karaa midiyaalee wayyaaneen holola ishii ittiin afarsitu TV fi Raadiyoodhaan ennaa waayeen waggaa tokkooffaa du’a yakkamtichaa fi abbaa shiraa Mallas Zeenaawii hololamu arginee dhageenyeerra.

OLF Statement on Eng. Tesfahun Chemeda’s Death in the Notorious TPLF/EPRDF Prison of Qaallittii

   August 25, 2013 

The following is a statement from the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) on the death of Engineer Tesfahun Chemeda, who was murdered in the notorious TPLF/EPRDF prison of Qaallittii yesterday. To read the statement in Amharic, please click here.

—————————-

Eng. Tesfahun Chemeda, the Latest Victim of TPLF Pogrom Extermination Campaign Against the Oromo People

OLF Statement on the death of Engineer Tesfahun Chemeda who died in the notorious TPLF/EPRDF prison of Qaallittii yesterday.

SHIRA DIINAA IRRAA OF TIKSUUN, MEESHAA WARAANAA CAALA!

Y.G(2005)  | Hagayya 23, 2013

Biyyoonni ykn Saboonni Bilisummaa isaanii goonfatanii jiran , milkaa’ina qabsoo isaaniif inni adda duraa, shira diinaa irra aanuu ta’uu jala muranii namaa dhaaman. Faallaa kanaas, humna kamuu mo’achuuf ammoo , shira humna sana diigu yk humna dhabsiisu hojjachuun murteessaa ta’uu gadi jabeessanii dubbatu. Qawwee baatanii adda waraanaatti wal waraanuun, carraa tokko fi tokkoti. Ajjeesuu ykn du’uu. Shirri barbaachisu keessa diinaatti odoo hin hojjatamiin qawween walitti ba’uun, tarii kasaaraa lubbuu hedduu nama gaafachuu danda’a. shirri keessaan yoo hojjatame garuu , yeroon qawwee barbaachisu iyyu dhibu akka danda’u warra muuxannoo qaban irraa hubachuun ni danda’ama.

Oromos in Germany: Call for a Peaceful Protest Against the Tyranny in Oromia – August 30, 2013 in Frankfurt

   August 23, 2013 

Human Rights are Universal and Indivisible

Over the past 21 years, the Tigrayan Peoples Liberation Front (TPLF)-led and dominated Ethiopian government has imprisoned tens of thousands of political opposition and citizens, mainly Oromos. As a consequence to the government’s repressive policies, thousands of innocent citizens have been languishing in prisons and secret camps, and many have been and are being severely tortured, disabled and/or killed. Others have been abducted in broad daylight, and made to disappear or murdered secretly.

Telecoms in Ethiopia: Out of reach

The government expands the mobile-phone network but tightens its grip

Aug 23, 2013 (The Economist) — ETHIOPIA has Africa’s last big telecoms monopoly. The absence of competition has seen a country of more than 80m lag badly behind the rest of the continent in an industry that has generally burgeoned alongside economic growth. Mobile-phone penetration, which averages 70% of the population elsewhere in Africa, is closer to 25% in Ethiopia. A paltry 2.5% of Ethiopians have access to the internet, compared with 40% in neighbouring Kenya.

Facebook billionaire Zuckerberg’s “Internet as a human right” faces policy barriers

The most-restrictive countries are China, Saudi Arabia, Cuba, Iran, Vietnam, Ethiopia, Burma and Pakistan.

Aug 23, 2013 (National Constitution Center) — Facebook billionaire Mark Zuckerberg is leading a drive to give almost everyone in the world access to the Internet. But such a lofty goal comes with questions abroad and in the United States that could impair the initiative.

Mark Zuckerberg. Creative Commons: Silverisdead

Zuckerberg spoke with CNN this week about his project, which represents a $1 billion effort on his part to bring the Internet to countries and people who don’t have it.

“They’re going to use it to decide what kind of government they want, get access to healthcare for the first time ever, connect with family hundreds of miles away that they haven’t seen in decades.”

Ethiopia’s Muslim Activists Pave a Path for Nonviolent Political Activism

      August 22, 2013 

A year after Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn came to power following the death of longtime leader Meles Zenawi in August 2012, the ruling Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) remains firmly in control. It has continued to govern through a collective leadership that includes three deputy prime ministers from the Amhara, Tigray and Oromo wings of the coalition; Hailemariam hails from the Southern People’s Party.

CALL FOR A PEACEFUL PROTEST AGAINST THE TYRANNY IN OROMIA

Human Rights are Universal and indivisible! 

Call for a Peaceful Protest against the Tyranny in Oromia

Over the past 21 years, the Tigrayan Peoples Liberation Front (TPLF)-led and dominated Ethiopian government, has imprisoned tens of thousands of political opposition and citizens, mainly Oromos. As a consequence to the government’s repressive policies, thousands of innocent citizens have been languishing in prisons and secret camps, and many have been and are being severely tortured, deformed and/or killed. Others have been abducted in broad day-light and made to disappear or murdered secretly.

Polio Spreads to Ethiopia

By Steve Baragona

FILE – A health worker drops anti-polio vaccine into the mouth of a Somali child in Mogadishu September 10, 2006

August 23, 2013 (VOA News) — A polio outbreak on the Horn of Africa has spread to Ethiopia.

An 18-month-old child in the Warder district of Ethiopia is the country’s first polio case since 2008.

Warder district is just across the border from Somalia, where 108 polio cases have been reported this year.

Carol Pandak heads Rotary International’s polio eradication program.

Elemo Qiltu: The Rebel Chief and Chef

       August 22, 2013

Most of those who have heard of Elemo Qiltu, the former Oromo guerilla leader, don’t know much about him except that he died fighting for their freedom against the regime of Haile Selassie. Because of his early death in 1974, not much is known about his character, certainly not to the extent of his comrade and brother in arms Jarra Abba Gada for example. I was watching a movie about the life of Ernesto Che Guvuera yesterday, and in many aspects it reminded me of Elemo.

The whistle and the hijab – Soreti Jibrael, an AFL first

Soreti Jibrael

August 22, 2013, Australia (The Age) — When 13-year-old schoolgirl Soreti Jibrael ran onto the ground at Etihad Stadium last Friday night for Auskick, it was her first AFL game – and it was also a first for the AFL. She was the first umpire to wear a hijab on an elite AFL ground.

Soreti adapted the umpire’s uniform of shorts and T-shirt to fit her Muslim beliefs, borrowing a fluorescent green hijab from her sister to match the green shirts and socks worn by umpires.

Like any teenager, she was happy her accessory had ”sparkle on the ends”.

To cover her legs she wore brown leggings under her shorts and green socks.

Born in New Zealand to Ethiopian migrants, the Cats fan joined her friend, Kangaroos supporter Tamara Auld, as an Auskick field umpire. They had chosen that game to see their teams play each other. It was the first time Soreti had watched a big league game live.

Commentary on the current status of Afan Oromo in Gimbi town, West Oromia

By Gigsa Tesso | August 21, 2013

Gimbi town is an  administrative centre of West Wallaga Zone of Oromia. Presently, Gimbi is one of the relatively populous cities in Wallaga next to Nekemte with the estimated total population over 40,000.The residents of the town are more or less Oromo but there are few non-Oromo people. Most of the non-Oromo residents of the town  do speak Oromo language unless they avoid its usage  because they failed to recognize that language is a tool.  In Gimbi town, most strategic sites are controlled by non-Oromo businessmen who have had special privileges to enjoy in the successive regimes. The town is also remembered by the systematic  elimination emerging Oromo businessmen  like Esayas Dime, owner of Waliya Hotel, who was gunned down in the early  1990s.

OROMO WOMEN NATIONAL UNION FOR LIBERATION (OWN-UL)

August 21, 2013

Introduction

Due to the harsh and increasing oppression of the Ethiopian government; the social, political and economical problems has reached an unprecedented level in the country. As a prime target and ongoing victim of genocide, the Oromo people have to double its effort in stepping up its struggle. Taking in to account the aforementioned facts; we the Oromo Women from all corners of Oromiya, have decided to stand together and deliver our responsibility in addressing the pressing human right issues of our people under the name and logo indicated above.

Hidhamuu ilmaan Oromoo Godina Iluu Abbaa Booraa Aanaa Mattuu Ganda Qonnaan Bulaa Burruusaa

 August 20, 2013 

Godina Iluu Abbaa Booraa Aanaa mattuu ganda Qonnaan Bulaa Burruusaati guyyaa ayyaani sooma hikaa ummata Islaamaa kabajemee oole Sababa xalayaa Waraaqsa kakaasu facaafatan jedhuun Dargaggootin

Adoptive parents on trial in Ethiopian girl’s death

By Anna Boiko-Weyrauch

Anna Williams

Aug 20, 2013 (Seattle Times) — The trial of Larry and Carri Williams in Skagit County has revealed details of alleged child abuse, and highlighted gaps in protection of adopted children in Washington.

Immanuel Williams’ face barely showed over the witness stand.

Many in the courtroom could see only the top of his chair swivel slightly and his eyebrows scrunch up in confusion.

Sign-language interpreters relayed questions to the deaf 12-year-old boy, and the answers flashed from his fingertips.

Grooming Personalities for Worthless Head of State

  By T Tolera                                                                                                      | August 20, 2013

The Head of State, the presidential post in Ethiopia, has been a compensating excuse left to satisfy or neutralise an ethnic question for power. It has been dramatized, romanticized and traditional left for Oromo to scramble. It all started out with now a fierce critic of and prominent opposition to TPLF-led regime Dr. Negasso Gidada. Dr. Nagaso resisted a top-down command over his little constitutional power and revolted and broke away from Meles Zenawi, the late PM. Then comes Obbo Girma Woldegorgis, a personality of tabloids and popular jokes. I think Obbo Girma has exceeded the expectations of TPLF. The closest he appeared to have a power was when he wrote ‘shimigilina’ letter to the former pope of Ethiopian Orthodox Church in exile to mediate his restoration following the death of Abuno Paulo [the tyrant pop]. But then TPLF ordered him to denying he wrote the letter to VOA. Obbo Girma takes refuge in others’ idea and channels the will and orders of his masters. He proved to be a reliable partner and subordinate to TPLF through his unquestionable skill of obeying commands. I think we need to give him a credit for that. Nobody can do that good!

A False Sense of Glory

   By Kallacha Dubbi                                                                               | August 20, 2013

A false sense of glory within the Ethiopian Diaspora politics is in the rise.  This false sense of glory could be measured as a newborn emotion promoting the old Amhara-centric Ethiopian ethos by using the growing Diaspora media.  In this old ethos, ironically, Amhara-centered Ethiopia is uniquely perceived and promoted as the only answer to Ethiopia’s historic problems including Oromos and other peoples of Southern Ethiopia.  By Amhara-centered Ethiopia, we understand a country whose socio-politics and culture is dominated and represented by that of one ethnic group, the Amhara.  Since this recent political puff is strictly Diaspora based, the accompanying success on the home ground is miniscule.  The ethos is also unique in that it tolerates no discourse with opposing views, and in some sense, one can say it is an art of blowing one’s own horn for one’s own pleasure.

The Conundrum of Ethiopianism, Part II

    By Yaadasaa Dafa                                    | August 19, 2013

By I wrote the first article titled “The Conundrum of Ethiopianism” May 21, 2007 on Sudan Tribune. This short article produced waves of reactions from Ethiopianists who took Oromos for granted; and not to question the pseudo identity of Ethioiwinett. But that was/is the psychological manifestations of the politically bankrupted Ethiopian Dabtaraas who managed to keep the colonized people in Ethiopia in darkness, and in the far fetched illusions. But the occupied Nations within the colonial empire of Ethiopia organized themselves in various political form and shapes to make sure their yoke of suppression will yield to its final predicament. As far as the Oromo Nation is concerned, the people of Oromo waged/waging the journey for the freedom of their people and lands from the alien-Ethiopian colonization starting from the day they were colonized.

Born to Serve and Die Serving

  By Hawi Chala                                                                | August 19, 2013

It is obvious that Oromia and Oromo people are the backbone of Ethiopia; economically, socially and culturally though that is not true politically. Isn’t it a paradox?

Here I am not interested to talk about the resources of Oromia, the coffee exported, nor the gold, nor the arable land nor other agricultural and mineral resources exploited from Oromia. But I have developed an interest on what makes Ethiopia known at international level and Oromia’s contribution towards that.

Bear in mind that Ethiopia is known very little at international level. Among the things that make Ethiopia known at international level are: the 1983 famine, the Adwa victory, Lucy, Axum obelisk, the ark of covenant, Lalibela, HIV/AIDs, drought, land of dictatorial leaders, land of athletes … add me more.

Of-Keessatti Amantaa Dhabuu Irraan Mootummaan Wayyaanee Oromoota poolisoota federaalaa fi Finfinnee kanaannee ta’an hidhuu eegale

Hagayya 19,2013 Finfinnee

Dhiibbaan mootummaa wayyaanee ilmaan Oromoo irratti xiyyeeffannoo addaan kennamaa kan turee fi itti jiru daran jabaachuun yeroo ammaa wal diigumsaa fi wal amantamummaa keessa mootummaadhaa dhabameen poolisootni Finfinnee magaala Finfinnee keessaa ilmaan oromoo tahan mana hidhaatti ukkaamsamaa jiran. Haalli kun daran hammaachaa kan dhufe yoommuu tahu ilmaan Oromoo poolisii federaalaa keessaa hojjetan magaala Dirree Dawaa fi Adaamaas qorannoo hamaan rakkifamaa jiran. Ilmaan Oromoo

በኦሮሞ ተወላጆች ላይ እየተወሰደ ያለው የግድያ እርምጃ በወያኔ አንገት ውስጥ የገባውን ገመድ የሚያጠብቅ ነው::

በኦሮሞ ተወላጆች ላይ እየተወሰደ ያለው የግድያ እርምጃ 

በወያኔ አንገት ውስጥ የገባውን ገመድ የሚያጠብቅ ነው

አምባገነኑ የወያኔ ስርአት ርህራሄ ከሌለው እስራቱም አልፎ የኦሮሞን ልጆች እያደነ ይገኛል፡፡ ህወሀት ቅጥረኞቹን ተጠቅሞ በኦሮሞ ህዝብ ላይ የሚያደርገውን ኢሰብአዊ ድርጊት የወጣቶች ንቅናቄ (ቄሮ) በጥብቅ ያወግዘዋል፡፡ በኦሮሞ ወጣቶች ላይ የኦነግ ደጋፊዎች ናችሁ እያለ የሚፈፅመውን ግድያ እና እስራትም እንዲያቆም አጥብቀን እንጠይቃለን፡፡ በቅርቡ በምእራብ ሸዋ አምቦ ከተማ ውስጥ ወጣት ተስፋየ ጉታ የተባለ የኦሮሞ ልጅ ታደሰ በቀለ በተባለ የወያኔ ደህንነት በጥይት የተገደለ ሲሆን ይህ ስቃይ አሁንም እየተባባሰ በመምጣቱ ከ16 በላይ የሚሆኑ ኦሮሞዎች በአርሲ ዞን ኮፈሌ ወረዳ ውስጥ በወያኔ መንግስት ጦር ተገድለዋል፣ ቁጥራቸው ከ200 በላይ የሚሆኑት ደግሞ በእስር ቤት ውስጥ ታፍነው ይገኛሉ፡፡ ከእነዚህም መካከል፡-

‘Forewarned, forearmed; to be prepared is half the victory’

August 19, 2013

The following was received by Gadaa.com’s OPINION DESK on August 12, 2013.

  Views from Readers

By Didee Dannaba

It is high and defining time for Oromos, either to survive as slaves and perish, or live in freedom. As Oromos, we recognize that we are living in an era when politics, religion and region issues are threatening the Oromo unity and increasing the vulnerability to the survival of Oromummaa.

Compatibility of Oromttiti and Oromticha

August 19, 2013 

The following article was presented at the 2013 Oromo Studies Association (OSA) Annual Conference in Washington, DC. The paper was presented to the OSA audience to initiate the idea of disseminating the positive heritages of the Oromo nation.

By Haile Hirpa* (PhD)

The Oromo nation has developed a unique culture and a way of life under the umbrella of the “GadaaDemocracy.” Today, majority of the Oromo people live in East Africa.

Jiituu Dh. Wakjira exposed political suppression and oppression in her story of love, perseverance, resilience and courage

18 August 2013, (Advocacy for Oromia) —  Jiituu Dhabasa Wakjira was only five years old when Ethiopian security forces took away her father, Dhabasa Wakjira, from their home in April 2004 and nine years old when her mother, Lelisse Wodajo, was arrested four years latter in 2008.

Jiituu understood very little at the time, but remembers missing her father, whom she visited at Ethiopia’s notorious Kaliti prison every weekend – for nearly three years.

On Saturday Aug. 10 2013, Jiitu, 14, described her family’s ordeals, in a heartfelt speech that read much like a movie script, before a captive Oromo and Australian audience.

Human rights group says sentencing of 21 Oromos in Ethiopia’s court is politically motivated

         August 18, 2013 

The following is an Urgent Action statement from the Human Rights League of the Horn of Africa (HRLHA). HRLHA is a nonpolitical organization (with the UN Economic and Social Council – (ECOSOC) Consultative Status), which attempts to challenge abuses of human rights of the people of various nations and nationalities in the Horn of Africa.

Kenya: 3,000 Flee Homes at Ethiopia Border

August 17, 2013, Nairobi (The Star) — More than 3,000 families have fled their homes at the Kenya-Ethiopia border following increased tension after 10 fishermen were killed by Ethiopia militia yesterday.

Turkana and Ethiopian fishermen on Lake Turkana have been fighting, causing the families to retreat more than 30km from the border. Tukana North DC Eric Wanyonyi said security teams have been deployed along the border. Leaders from the region led by Senator John

Metcha and Tulema on OSA Forum

AYELE  ZEWGE  BOJIA                                      | August 16, 2013

I was one of those who were fortunate enough to participate in this year’s Oromo Studies Association (OSA) annual Conference that was held in Washington DC on 3^rd and 4^th of August 2013. From among few OSA annual conferences I had been able to participate; this year’s conference appeared to me as had been better productive in so many respects.

Ethiopia: Police Foil Plan to Attack Addis Ababa Airport

Note: Do not forget reading Wikileaks’ files below “Recent Bombings Blamed on Oromos Possibly the Work of Government of Ethiopia” and “Ethiopia Bombs Itself, Blames Eritrea“

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Aug 17, 2013, Addis Ababa (All africa)— The Ethiopian federal police said on Friday that they have uncovered explosive devices planted inside, Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, averting a major tragedy.

Two explosives were found around the departure terminal of the country’s largest airport targeting the hundreds of passengers waiting to fly.

Junedin Sado, Former governor of Oromia, was killed by Woyyanee

Gurmessaa Beekamaa/facebook | August 17, 2013

Junedin Sado, an Ethiopian politician and former governor of the state of Oromia was killed by Woyyanee under cover agents in Robbii, Shewa when he secretly returned to the country from Kenya.

He was thrown out of the EPRDF government due to his disagreement with certain policies that the ruling government imposed on the governing system and alleged accusation of involvement in his wife, Habibe Muhammad’s plot of terrorism in the country.

Sources haven’t confirmed his death but eye witnesses are saying, he was killed in Robbii , Shewa when he secretly returned back to the country in July, 2013 after fleeing to Nairobi, Kenya with 8 other colleagues. Junadin was president of the Oromia region from 28 October 2001 until 6 October 2005 when he was replaced by Abadula Gemeda.

‘OROMO FIRST’ Community Engagement World Tour: Next Stops – San Diego (CA) on Aug. 17 and Seattle (WA) on Aug. 18

Click on the images to enlarge:

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The first stop of the ‘OROMO FIRST’ Community Engagement World Tour will be in Minneapolis, MN, on August 10, 2013 starting at 3:30PM at South High School (Address: 3131 S 19th Avenue, Minneapolis). Panelists at the event will be Obbo Jawar Mohammed, Adde Arfasse, Obbo Mohammed Ademo and Dr. Gemetchu Megerssa. Facebook Event Page

Kora Konyaa ABO Adelaide, Australia – Qophii Bashanaana (Sept. 8th, 2013); Melbourne: Sept. 29th, 2013

August 16, 2013 

Commander Tesfaye, who ordered the Kofale Massacre, was killed by OLA

The Woyane military commander, Tesfaye, based in Bishoftuu, was killed on August 10, 2013. He is responsible for killing about a dozen innocent Muslim prayers including children and women, on August 5, 2013 (See bold text in Afaan Oromoo below)

Minneapolis College the first to offer Afaan Oromo in the U.S.

by Arijeta Lajka           , 15 August 2013

(OPride) – The Minneapolis Community and Technical College (MCTC) will be the first college in the U.S. to offer an Afaan Oromo course this September, the instructor said.

Adjunct Instructor Mathias Gudina will be teaching a two-level course, Afaan Oromo I and II, starting this fall to introduce students to one of the ancient and most widely spoken languages in Africa.

Considered the lingua franca of Ethiopia, Afaan Oromo, the language of Oromo people, is the third most widely spoken language in the continent, after Hausa and Arabic. In the Horn of Africa alone, there are over 45 million native Afaan Oromo speakers.

Beginning this September, MCTC students will be able to advance themselves in Afaan Oromo. “This introductory course series will teach you how to read, write and speak the Oromo language as well as master Qubee Afaan Oromoo (the Oromo alphabet),” reads the online course description.

The idea for teaching Afaan Oromo as one of several foreign language courses offered by the college came when associate Professor Kano Baja approached Gudina, a former language instructor, with a proposal. 

Gudina then developed the lesson plan as part of the course offerings through the college's Continuing Education Unit. Administrators reviewed the proposal and later approved it. Oromo I and II are introductory courses that will focus on teaching the Oromo alphabet Qubee ­­– adopted from Latin letters in 1991 – Afaan Oromo grammar, sentence structures, and conversations. 

Both courses are open to all students and the general public. Since the course is new, it is expected that primarily Oromo speakers will sign up, however Gudina hopes that some non-Oromo speakers will also enroll in the class.

Gudina has taught Afaan Oromo since 1993 in Europe, Oromia, and the U.S. Most recently, in 2008, he taught introductory Afaan Oromo at Our Redeemer Oromo Evangelical Church in Minnesota.

"I wanted to take [the course] to higher education where there are more opportunities to use technology and a support system to deliver quality teaching,” Gudina said in an email response to OPride. 

In Ethiopia, under emperor Haile Selassie’s rule, the use of Oromo language was widely prohibited, especially in schools, government offices, and the media. When the Dergue regime was overthrown by a coalition of Oromo and other rebel fighters in 1991, Ethiopia began to recognize other languages and nationalities within its borders. 

The New Education and Training Policy allowed native languages to be established in school systems. Since 1994, Afaan Oromo is the official language of the Oromia region and is taught in both high schools and colleges. 

In order to become a professional in Oromo linguistics, literature and language, colleges in Oromia region now offer a BA in Afaan Oromo. Addis Ababa University has a Post Graduate Program.

One of the lower Cushitic language groups, Afaan Oromo is also spoken in parts of neighboring East and Horn of African countries such as Kenya, Somalia, Djibouti, and Tanzania. It shares words and phonetics with Somali, Afar, and other Cushitic language groups.

In a world where technology has established English as the dominant global language, preserving foreign languages or taking language courses are as culturally significant as ever. Cognizant of this significance, Oromo activists from around the world took to social media to celebrate the news last week when it first became public.

Resources for learning Afaan Oromo online:

1. http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Afaan_Oromo/Alphabet
2. http://www.oromiffa.com/
3. http://www.digitaldialects.com/Oromo.htm
4. http://www.freelang.net/dictionary/oromo.php
5. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oromo_language
6. http://www.qubee.org/
7. http://www.opride.com/aadula/Oromo%20language.pdf
8. http://windowsodaanabee.webs.com        source  ( http://www.opride.com/oromsis/news/horn-of-africa/3699-minneapolis-college-the-first-to-offer-afaan-oromo-in-the-u-s  )