Failure to Deliver: The Journey of the Oromo Liberation Front in the Last Two Decades (Part I)
Introduction
THINK BIG! Wrote one of my heroes, a man who suffered years of incarceration in the notorious Ethiopian prison for the just cause of the Oromo people. That man is honorable Ibsaa Guutamaa, whose book, "The Prisoner of Conscience" details the moral, psychological and physical degradation inflicted upon Oromo nationalists in Mengistu's prison, is one of the most moving books I ever read. He recently, published an article appealing to all OLF factions to overcome their division and forge a united front. Although I totally respect his genuine call for unity, I must disagree with this hero of mine by saying that the OLF has been damaged beyond repair. The beloved organization of our people has outlived its purposefulness and continuing to cover up the wounds would cause more harm to the movement than benefit.
It has been years since OLF has ceased to be the pride of the Oromo people and has transformed itself to a source of shame and disappointment by facilitating disintegration, growth of regionalist sentiment and retardation of the movement in general. This essay is not a response to Obbo Ibsaa's latest article; rather it is an attempt to present a case against wasting time, energy and resources to resuscitate an organization that will not likely benefit the Oromo anymore. I will argue that because of weak, undisciplined and incompetent leadership, through exile politics and a cult-like outdated organizational tradition, the OLF could not produce any result over the past decade, therefore brought its own demise. Furthermore, the destructive internal conflict has intoxicated the organization beyond any repair that plastering it together will further spread the poison into the Oromo public.
This essay is organized in four parts; the first part identifies the primary cause of the problem, which is lack of action, and the second part deals with factors that exacerbated the inefficiency of the front. The third part will make case why reforming the organization may not be possible and the last part contains suggestions for the way forward.
PART I : Misdiagnosing the Root Cause and Dealing with the Symptoms
Lack of Action: Broken Promises, Fabricated Accomplishments and Its Consequence
It's common to hear words such as "Oromo people and OLF are one in the same", "OLF is the vanguard of Oromo people" and "the Oromo struggle is unthinkable without OLF". These loaded words have been deeply engraved in our psyche that we do not even see how erroneous and misleading they are both to the leaders and supporters of the organization. If we just take away our emotional attachment to the organization and assess its accomplishment vis-a-vis its stated goal, we can see how wrong these words are. An organization, be it a business or political, must be evaluated based on it's merit and practical accomplishment not based on how articulate its mission statement is, or whether it has taken up the right cause.
There is no question that OLF's political program effectively reflects the just demand of Oromo people. However, over the past two decades, OLF has been in a downward spiral, despite the unparalleled financial and moral support it received from the Oromo public both at home and abroad, the organization cannot show a single achievement under its belt during this period of time. It has not freed an inch of land in Oromia, or had a single victory against the enemy. But by repeatedly and falsely convincing ourselves about the greatness of the organization, we supporters, failed to demand results from the leadership. Leaders, using slogans and excuses, instead of showing results avoid fulfilling their responsibility and taking accountability for their failures. The insignificant achievement of the organization year after year has produced low expectations. A nation that settles for mediocre gains ends up with no gain at all.
It's a simple common sense that victory is instrumental in forging unity while lose and underachievement brings shame and disunity. When a company reports gain, stockholders are happy, and the CEO is rewarded a bonus. More investors will be attracted and the company grows. If the company does not make profit, investors withdraw their share which weakens the company and eventually goes bankrupt. The Oromo people heavily invested their property and the lives of their children into OLF, but they have seen no dividend from the organization over the past two decades. Failing to satisfy the public, instead of assessing their problem and coming out with solutions, the leadership of the organization continued to fabricate excuses about the geopolitical hardships, the changing of the international geopolitical dynamic and the uniqueness of the enemy. Such excuses gradually became unacceptable to the new generation of students who joined the organization in mass in the last decade but to find out that the organization they once revered has been taken hostage by cunning authoritarian state, Eritrea.
When fabrication and exaggeration was not enough to quell the anger and frustration of the members and soldiers the leaders turned into labeling them as regionalists in order to isolate the dissenters and destroy the reformist push. In turn the sidelined and frustrated officers also began grouping those from their own region as others shunned them under the propaganda of the establishment. Primordial (preexisting) regional and clan affinities provide fertile ground for this kind of clique formation. Outsiders (Oromos who do not know the inner working of OLF), often make wrong generalization by looking at such clique formation by confusing the symptom, regional grouping, with the cause, lack of action. They fail to understand that to cover his own failure to deliver result, the top leader resorts to surrounding himself with "yes-men", who often happens to be from his own area but whose view by no means can represent the general sentiment of that particular region. The dissenters, who are the underdogs of the game, play in the hand of such leaders by creating their own regional power base. The establishment leader often wins the battle of propaganda because not only does he have the first strike advantage but also because he uses the entire backing of the institution, particularly the media. The end is obvious; the opposition leaves and forms its own faction.
For instance, it was quite common few years back to hear people complaining about Wallagaa's sabotaging the struggle. Such sentiment, in addition to misidentifying the cause of the failure, misses one critical issue. Those leaders who failed the struggle might happen to be from that region, but they do not represent the people of Wallagaa who never voted to elect them in the first place. In the organization, they represent themselves, but they form cliques to relieve themselves of taking responsibility for their action and inaction. Even if they were true representatives of that region, individuals not the people who voted bears responsibility for failing to fulfill their duty.
The following diagram is an attempt to summarize the life cycle of the crisis within OLF, especially over the past two decades
The diagram shows the wave of problems that develop within an inefficient organization that lacks action. Leaders of such organization often have to fabricate excuses or achievements in order to stay in power. But some members who reject the fabrication begin demanding tangible action from the leaders who respond by suppressing the dissent. As openly airing of dissatisfaction is no longer an option, secret cliques of dissent form. So far, the problem brews only within active members. However the dissenters, overpowered by institutionally backed establishment, leak the information in order to expose the leaders. They do so to gain support and sympathy for their side. The establishment also leaks information aimed at defaming the dissenters. The public, who usually do not have the full picture of the problem, begin to contemplate conspiracy theories about the problem. Such often unsubstantiated rumors are always taken advantage of by the competing factions to strengthen regional/clan power base bringing the organization into turmoil.
Eventually, the organization splits into factions, followed by intensified competition to dominate the outcome. Although one dominant group finally will emerge, the chaos paves a way for raise of an illegitimate, unelected and polarizing leadership. Pushed out by the leadership, worn out by infighting and being fed up of nasty politics, supporters and members abandon the organization. This, coupled with wasted resources and destroyed lives, weaken the organization making it even more inefficient which brings the beginning of a new cycle.
As the two-way arrow shows in the diagram, lack of action and each state of the crisis are mutually interdependent. For instance, as lack of action leads to dissension, presence of dissension also prolongs inaction because of the time and resources wasted to quell such revolt and because the division weakens performance. Thus, if the leadership brings action, for example, a successful attack on enemy, not only will they satisfy the dissenters; they can also make formation of cliques unattractive and unnecessary. That is why I believe lack of action is the primary cause of the OLF's perpetual internal turmoil, because action at any stage could prevent the problem from exacerbating. Once the cycle is completed, it is irreversible because the factional climate is so intense and personalized, plus members and supporters so polarized that rational, logical and conciliatory efforts do not have any space. The best that can be done at that stage is, for either of the faction to realize the root cause, lack of action, and produce real, visible and tangible result to prevent another cycle.
However, when this cycle is repeated, the damage to the organization grows exponentially. The OLF has gone through such cycles at least three times (IFLO crisis, the Transitional Authority split, the Change coup), and therefore one has to imagine how much damage and destruction it has suffered. After these three cycles, I do not see any of the factions understanding and addressing the root cause. Even if they do, it is too late to revive the front, because the organization is so weak, its reputation highly tarnished and its credibility heavily damaged, that it will be impossible to engage in any meaningful action.
Therefore, before we move to cure a disease we must identify the cause, which in the case of OLF's deterioration is lack of tangible result. Dealing with the symptom could lead us to subscribing the wrong medicine that can worsen the situation. Inaction is the primary cause of OLF's demise, while regionalism, disintegration and factions are symptoms.
Part II: To be continued...
TrackBack URI for this entry
Subscribe to this comment's feed
This is an excellent assessment. These problems are chronic in nature and they have also a tendency to mutate. I agree when you said curing these problem might be hard. From what I recall, different groups have attempted at different times to address the problems, but they were all failures. The real question is why did they fail? Although I have no info on the expertise and qualifications of these groups, but I believe that having the right doctors or group of doctors might positively alter the overall outcomes. I appreicate your insight. I look forward to see your recommendations.
What you nailed down is what is on the minds of many of us. I greatley appreciate that. We all know that olf has been having a huge problems and its inability to deliver any tangible result for oromos. If you do not mind, can you please give us some insight on why the leadership failed, also is there any hidden agendas that we oromo mass do not know as to why they are not transparent on any of their actions ?. Thanks
I commend you for your courage to address this issue. Although, i may not agree entirely with your assessment, i strongly believe that we, oromos, need to foster a culture of diversity opinions, which we dont have. I hope that this will spark a much needed discourse. I look forward to reading the rest of your essay.
On the face of it, this article seems a critical analysis of the OLF with a good intention: The intention being to contribute to strengthening of the OLF. But, alas, that is not the case. In fact, he condemns the OLF to oblivion. His thesis is not that the OLF is a weak organization which needs to be strengthened. In fact, he considers any effort to do so as a "wated resources." Granted that we will have his solution in the second part of his piece, the critical reader cannot help but wonder about Jawar real intention. The following questions nag the ceritical reader which Jawar may want to try to answer.
1. Granted that OLF is a weak organization at the present time, why did Jawar dismiss all its past accomplishments as "fabrication and exaggeration"?
2. How is it that a seemingly intelligent person like him fails to realize that leaders are reflections of their people? If these leaders are so bad, and the Oromo people are so conscious and strong, why did they fail to ignore these leaders, form another organization and produce capable leaders?
3. Regardless of his attempt to sound neutral in the OLF saga, where does he really stand Vis a vis the most recent split in the organization? When he writes "In turn the sidelined and frustrated officers also began grouping those from their own region" is he trying to justify the JIjjiirama Group which is composed execlusively of those born in Arsi where Jawar was also born? If he had no problem with wrtting "people complaining about Wallagaa's sabotaging the struggle" why was he shy to write what people are complaining about the Jijjirama Group today?
4. How is it that Kamal Galchuu, who worked for the enemy for many years and defected to the OLF to become Chief of OLA in less than a year after defection from enemy army does not factor in Jawar's analysis?
and many more questions ...
do you think OLF is dead?
let us wait until leadership announces this.
anyway, most Oromos are now supporting former MTA leaders who established OFDM and OPC
so even if OLF is dead, it is not a big deal anymore
But we should not believe OLF is dead
Dear Jawar !
Your article is very informative and it gives a good insight about the relationships between oromos as society and the current OLF status as a supposed political organisation in leading the way to Wolabummaa Oromiyaa and Bilisummaa saba biyya oromo.
Though your clearly illustrated failufre to act as the major problem of OLF, would you try to describe factors that led
an organisation with its fullest backing to remainactionless??
Naïve assessment!
Mr. Jawar, your assessment regarding OLF misses its target of trying to derive a conclusion from Qabsoo you simply DO NOT understand. Simple fact, for example, you have never experienced what it is like to be a rebel and what it is like to be a prisoner of conscience. Your naïveté of Oromo politics is very clear from the beginning, where you start by drawing analogy between a company/stakeholders and OLF/supporters. Your ignorance is more so when you indicate how OLF leaders were not elected by their supporters. OLF is not a business share company, nor is it a political party. It a LIBERATION FRONT, a Front of the Martyrs! Your analogy and analysis is dead wrong. I suggest that you utilize such thesis to analyze Ethiopian political parties which perfectly fit your level of knowledge.
The OLF leaders of the last two decades (of the last many decades as a matter of fact) you one-dimensionally analyze are great men and women who have chucked their rewarding careers from different capacities so that people like you and I can be proud of our Oromummaa! I don’t think you have the ability or willingness to toss your American life and be on the front line of defense for Oromo farmers in the mountains of Bale, Borana, or anywhere in Oromo land? Next time you try to draw a conclusion about Qabsoo Oromoo, I hope you will use your head not your rear end.
The author promised to be impartial at the get go but despite his pronouncement even those totally uninformed about Oromo politics can read from the article that his heart and soul are with the group that recently split from the Dawud group and is led by Kamal Galchu, a former OPDO official and TPLF general who "defected" to Eritrea purportedly to join the Asmara faction of the OLF roughly the same time Jawar travelled to the US to study at Stanford University. It turns out that the author is a protégé of Junedin Sado, another high ranking OPDO official. What do we except from a person with such background?
U Oromos,
I sometimes weep when I fail to be real Oromo (in the sense that I will be able to contribute for the freedom of Oromo).
It is easy to be Oromo naturally (because, that is a natural chance). But it is a little difficult to be a real Oromo at which point you will be able to be totally free from Regionalism feelings in all areas. Then, u start to evaluate Oromo for his pure contribution for the Oromo people rather than for his origin.
I can see that Oromos are good at giving comments. But dead poor when it comes to their real Oromummaa.
Real Oromo=Free from Regionalist.
If you are not free, you can not free others (This is specially for our leaders).
Please our leaders, check yourself. Honestly check yourself. If you are not free, u better resign!!
Please, please, please, please, for God's sake
Over all, the observation by the writer appears balanced. I believe that the root cause of the current problem is the "captialism-communism" era of the 60's. All the progrma's of the "Liberation fronts" of the time were written under that background. In my view, the most smart of these is the wonderful TPLF who update its program based on the demand of the time. OLF failed to accomodate and update its stand, which ultimately led to its own succide. EPLF likewise sticked to its pre-60's policy, its fake state manufactured based on artificial facts is going to be like the "OLF?"
The other common blunder many oromos preach is the colonization of an oromo nation, a nation which never existed. That is similar to Amhara nation,SNNP nation, etc. All I know is there are regions such as Welega, Shoa, Bale, Gonder,Wollo, etc. Can any oromo tell me when and who was ruling, forexample, Jimma and Wellega together? Or Shoa and Arusi together, etc, forget the whole Oromia. Jimma was ruled by Abajifars, Wellega by its Moreda/Jote much the same as Wollo, Gojam, Tigray, etc. When the regional rulers think they have enough power, they revolt and if successful establish the overgovernership of the empire with its capital and langauge the same as the regonal rulers used to be . what will happen if Abjifar wanted to "unite oromos" start to unite Wellega first, its neigbour? Would it go peacefully? One has to destroy the other. This is the fact! Geda system will not help apply here.
Last, what the writer forget to tell is the contibution of crafting a program based simply on HATRED! HATE destroys the HATER first. That is exactly what happened to OLF!
yeqeniyeley
When are you going to be yourself, man? You are big regionalist. Yaada tortora akkasii sammuu tortora qofatu maddisiisa. You're paid by Junaddin Saddoo's OPDO group. Your're so childish and coward. Big on infighting, but we never saw you fight the TPLF/EPRDF, your masters.
Dear Jawar,
Thank you for the wonderful contribution. I agree with most of your taught and disagree with few points. In the first place, OLF is a genuine Oromo organization. We must agree that the incompetent leaders have made it a property of some or advocated for it. They spoiled its reputation!! It is this ownership, which has to change, not the organization or its name. The Diaspora groups need not stop investing in OLF. They have the responsibility and the interest because it is their organization. What is most important is to demand accountability from the leaders. You have also talked a lot about the war aspect for liberation, which needs to be strategic and tactical. I think this one of the things which has to be changed since the current global political regime rarely supports this ideology. I would rather demand you to develop Lencho’s idea of democratizing East Africa, which you mentioned was supported by the majority even before a decade. In that respect, diplomatic approach would be a priority. It is up to the players where to start it. May be first with the two powerless Oromo oppositions in Oromia and then expand it to the whole region. It could be a dream, but a dream is sometimes possible. What about the repute of OLF in the West? How can it be possibly okay in the future?
Tola
First i appreciate, your analysis. You said a lot what, how and why OLF vission had been not happened yet for more than 30 years. I think OLF became a bussiness Organization with Gandaa. I dout those ridged/dogmatic leader are may be from Habsha Ancesiters. As the writer said if they know they should be a leader of Action and In Action. But not. Or else they should admitted for their weakness. But not. Please you Oromo donot be Fullish. I dout that those so called OLF leaders may be sponsored by Weyane or Amhara,s. Any Way I don,t expect from those Old leader any progress. I am quite sure of it. Na Ofkalchaa.
Dear Jawar
You havent crossed any taboo by writing the above article. Many of us have been writing articles that analysed the failure of OLF leadership for the past many years. We could have saved the OLF from hitting the ground in big bang from the down word spiral trajectory, had people like you understood what we have been writing in the past and reacted timely. I would like to suggest you read some of my articles at the blog url indicated above.
Better late than never.
Gada Oda.
Jewar read :
please follow this link;
www.oromodiaspora.blogspot.com
Mr. Jawar:
I suggest you also read the following to articles at :
www.oromodiaspora.blogspot.com
1.WHAT HAS GONE WRONG, BY WHOM AND HOW CAN WE FIX IT??
OLF CRISES: The past and the Present;Reconciliation as a way forward
2. The conspiracy of Eritrean government on Oromo national struggle
Good reading.
Gada Oda
Obbo Jawar,
That OLF is a weak organization and that it manifests some of the problems you mention in your writing is a no brainer. Any diaspora Oromo can tell you that - some even could write about it even better. What I was dying to read was what solution(s) you would propose. I am very disappointed and disgusted. After reading your supposed solution (Part IV) to the problem you have written about pages upon pages, it should be clear to any nationalist Oromo that your sole purpose is NOT to strengthen the Oromo struggle (I don't mean the OLF) but to bury it 6 feet under ground. You are either an Oromo idiot (our idiot) or an enemy agent. And I say that as a psychologist who is trained to read writings and assess the mental state and the motives of the writer. In this writing, the sole point you advocate is that the diaspora Oromo cease supporting the OLF. In other words you advocate for destruction of the OLF becuase, in your opinion, it hindered progress of the struggle. But, you propose no better alternative: no mention of forming a better, more efficient and stronger organization. You advocate for the destruction of the only Oromo political organization deserving of the label "organization" albeit weak and disorganized. Your writing shows that you have average intelligence; you are not an idiot. In other words, you know exactly what you are doing. For instance, you ask diaspora Oromo to support "organizations and individuals who are operating at the homeland." This category, of course, includes OPDO which you conveniently said nothing about in your writing. And, every point you proposed, coincides with OPDO appeal to the Oromo diaspora. It very likely, even almost certain, thet you are reading from TPLF/OPDO solution manual. I would not be surprised if your readers label you an enemy agent or if you are one. The only consolation for me as an Oromo nationalist is that your writting reveals that your are all noise but no substance.
Good luck in writing your own destiny with OPDO.
OLF has become very ineffective due to outdated mode of thinking, and its distance from the "real people" only exsiting in the minds of the Diaspora. I really believe there is nothing OLF or any other ethnic organization can offer the Oromo people. We have been grouped as if we are herds, only defined by our language and past historical interaction with the rest of other groups in our land. We need to look beyond the simple idolgy of just "being Oromo" and being so paroanoid about interacting and coexisting with the rest of the people in the horn. I just visited my home town Adamma recently and was supprised to see that people over there are not really interested in the ideology of "Separation" or "Independent Oromia." One person cited to me what is going on in Somalia as the case that "Independence" based on only superficial identity/language is a recepie for disaster. That is why Somali people who are 100% the same people divided and fighting each other based on Clan. What we witnssed in OLF about groups identifying as Wallagaa, Arsi, or Harrer cliques or groups is a sign that we would also could end up as Somalia, same people divided by regionalism. I think this happens because the idea of Identity is being over exaggerated in the Oromo ciricle, to the point of identity is getting smaller to region, clan, etc. It is becoming a sickness!
JAWAR IS NON-SENSE OPDO, HE IS FOR ALWAYS FOR BENEFIT. THIS IS NOT TOTALLY HIS IDEA, THIS IS THE IDEA OF HIS MASTERS OPDO. OROMOS PLEASE I KNOW WHO IS JAWAR, HE IS SENT BY OPDO TO DIVIDE OROMOS IN DIASPORA AND TO INFILTIRATE OLF. SO OROMOS BE CAREFUL, DO NOT BE EMOTIONAL IN READING HIS TRASH IDEAS.JAWAR GO TO HELL.
Hello Anwar,
Good article, but I believe everyone who lives in diaspora knows that OLF is ineffective. Regardless, it's the only organization we trust to get to destiny. Many including I would have changed our stand if there where real progress in Oromia led by OPDO. But the reality remains the same as it's is 18 yrs ago. OPDO is simply there to take care of the TPLF interest. So, that's why I recently start contributing again to the same weak OLF. So, if you are with OPDO nice try, but if you are geniuly concerned come up with better solution. Nagaatti.
Personally, as an Ethnic Amhara, who is trying to observe, after reading the first part, i felt,
may be this is not suposed to be called but, probably, a reflection of the absence of hostility and
envy toward other ethnic members as was the case with the tegrigna speakers.
i will take a correction, but could it be possible that the agenda or the aim of the OLF was not to pull down others insteady just to uplift the oromo? if that is the case then may be working with other ethnic groups is worthy
of a consideration?
“OLF is damaged beyond repair.” Why? Because it is divided along regional (clan) line. This is a very, very serious damage to recover from. Look Somalia even having one religion cannot help.
But do we have other option? I do not see any. Giving it up cannot be an option. If we admit the truth and acknowledge the situation we are in, we still can repair the damage.
Even though others culture and religion makes influence on us, we still are Oromos we can come back to gadaa again.
One loving her (his) religion, region or clan is not a bad thing as long as one have respect for others, so we should be able to work around it.
Hi Jawar
What a wonderful article you made us read for the second time. I absolutely agree with your opinion that Oromo people are always one, and never be disunited by contemporary self-interest politics of certain groups. Not political agenda, nor OLF that keep our people united, at the same time distintigration of OLF due to failed leadership as you put in the article never break up our tie of Oromumma that passed down to us from "umee walaabu'. The "Ayana" of Oromticha and Oromtiti cursing those who are neglegent of "Saffu" and those who lack moral integerity. Overall, it is fanatastic article although it is unpalatable for some people. The stream of your ink to reveal the truth never be intimidated or stopped.
Viva qubee generation
Jawar...good Job
I agree with Jawar in many areas that the “HEYDAY OF OLF” is over. The article emphasis to my understanding that OLF is dead. It does not implicate that Oromos as people are Quitters. He is telling us that we are “TOO LATE SAVE OLF” and more effort to save is just a futile exercise. We can only help “OLF DIE” very fast before inflicting much more pain on Oromo people. That is fact I think.
I disagree with many people negatively interpreting Jawar’s article. Nothing is hidden in his writing. He just wrote what we know and what we were/are so coward to speak about. OLF cadres are very well trained to defame or denounce those individuals who "CALL A SPADE IS A SPADE" or speak honestly and directly about a topic. They try to specifically avoid topics may be because they think it is too big and sensitive and/or the attachment they have had with the leaders and/or the embarrassing outcome of OLF and the role they played in the Organization is more important to them. These are their problems. Jawar is a free man in a free world. Jawar speaks his mind. To my understanding Jawar’s discourse is a reality and honest. We know what OLF is and that is what is in the Article. OLF IS NOT ONLY DEAD BUT THE CORPUS STICKS.
Sharing some of the recommendation of some of them who genuinely commented on Jawar’s article, I think we can save the Oromo people’s Struggle, “NOT OLF” if we could take the following measures.
•BOYCOTTING: Boycotting OLF should up and down the land. Freezing funding is one form of boycotting. Boycotting any meetings in the name of OLF is another one. Boycotting Oromo Community Centers run by OLF affiliates is another one. Participating in mass while they aren’t part of the event is another but less feasible one.
•EDUCATING THE SUPPORTERS AND MEMBERS: OLF has tirelessly, productively and extensively worked on the Oromo Diaspora and created loyal and innocent supporters. “A DOG WAGS IT’S TAIL WITH ITS HEART” the saying goes. Members and million supporters in these “LIBRATED PROVINCES OF OLF” have been successfully turned coward. I asked one of the Cadres on one of the occasions how OLF succeeded in manufacturing such a big mass of support . He told me that it has happened by working so hard on “producing so many faint-hearted and cowards who only fear, whose reactions ultimately is flight and but not the opposite.” That is of course how it could be . I also observed that if any member or supporter question, he/she will be labelled conspirator and she/he will be segregated from the organization or may be the larger community which they manipulate in many areas through either puppet or innocent community representatives all over. Character assassination campaign will be waged on those individuals so that they will be embarrassed. OLF leadership has marshalled this successfully. LIBERATING THIS LARGE MASS I THINK IS THE BIG HOMEWORK.
•WORKING ON YOUTH LEADERSHIP: I think if our time horizon is long enough and we are thinking of generation, we should devise a way to work on youngsters. We have to be able to help those brave young Oromo students to look “IN-WARD” for leaders from among themselves. That is our only hope regarding new leaders. We have to be able to tell those gallant kids that “NO MESSIAH THEY WERE TOLD IS COMING ANY MORE”
Finally, those of us still expecting something from OLF, we have to open our eyes and ears wide and try to see and hear that “OLF DOES NOT EXIST. If it exists it is only in “GALMA BILISUMMAA” paltalk rooms. My advice to all of us rather is to honestly debate among ourselves and also be able say no to those still producing bunch of lies. I know some of us are not even talking to each other openly.Thanks to OLF for making us fear each other. It is so shameful that we are unable to separate between “DEAD OLF” and “ETERNAL OROMO CAUSE AND OROMO PEOPLE”. OLF has failed us not only once but many times and I don’t know why we have to contribute or participate on anything going in the name of OLF. We should rather hold OLF accountable for failing us FREE FALL.OLF political entrepreneurs have marshalled Oromo’s differences than our unity. We should hold them accountable for disintegrating as apart. For me supporting OLF does seem never to learn.
“Whatever the mission of Jawar might be” his article commends praise.
Nagaatti,
Tollii
good job jawar......u wrote everything that i had in my mind for long time.....dont even care to those who called u OPDO, jijiramma or whatever, thats how they are. they just couldnot handle the truth. the truth is OLF is getting worse every year we all know that...we all love to see OLF taking step forward but it's not happening right now.....thank you for u courage to stand up and tell the truth.
Hi Johar. Irrespective of whoever you may be, your well articulated article desrve atmost praise and commensment.
I never ever seen ever heard an organization that have got massive unquestionable mob like support of OLF, though short lived. The eternal Oromo cause, however, will remain strong-strength broken but not moral!
I see similarity between the rise and fall of OLF and CUD. I wish I could see you diagnosis of Oromo question via-a vis Abyssinia-Ethiopia with way out.
One thing I see is that the two options on table (both cessation and democratizing) may entail armed struggle
- 17/08/2009 17:45 - "Let's be like the market". Sure but what if the market is monopolized?
- 07/08/2009 07:37 - Multiplicity of Platforms Undermine Focus
- 29/07/2009 10:35 - Failure to Deliver: The Journey of the Oromo Liberation Front in the Last Two Decades (Part IV)
- 29/07/2009 10:31 - Failure to Deliver: The Journey of the Oromo Liberation Front in the Last Two Decades (Part III)
- 29/07/2009 10:27 - Failure to Deliver: The Journey of the Oromo Liberation Front in the Last Two Decades (Part II)
- 23/07/2009 13:56 - Rulers and the Resignation Gamesmanship -Meles Insists to Go, but the “People” Beg Him to Stay
- 07/05/2009 18:25 - Why is Ogina having a special issue on HIV/AIDS?
- 07/04/2009 21:23 - Oromootni Biyya Ingilizii Magaalaa London keessatti Hiriira bahan
- 02/04/2009 10:20 - THE INTERNATIONAL CAMPAIGN TO END GENOCIDE
- 26/03/2009 17:48 - Kuna-wise and Dawula-foolish Leadership
