Ethiopia’s real side: All aspects of Ethiopia tale is shrouded with lies and uncertainty. Instead of saying Ethiopia is never colonized it would have been correct to say Ethiopia is the only colonizer African country during the Scramble for Africa helped by imperialists. The five years occupation by Italy should not also be overlooked. One of the powers that helped create empire Ethiopia, UK reinstituted her over the colonies after Italians left, against several protests. It is mind boggling not to hear anyone questioning statements that “Ethiopia, and Liberia are the only two African countries never colonized” hiding that both were colonized by Blacks. Is it not racism to see colonies under black colonizer to be different from those colonized by Whites and so treated differently? That is why plight of the Oromo fell on deaf ears. Oromiyaa is different country from Ethiopia. It is the assumption that Oromiyaa is natural part of Abyssinia that is making it difficult for discourses in the region to reach common understanding. But for colonial relations, Oromo has no more affection for Ethiopia than it has for Kenya, Somalia or the Sudan. Except with Agawu, Tigraaway, Argobba, Bartaa and Gumuz and others, Oromiyaa does not have let alone country, borders with Amaaraa, for Amaaraa has no land as a group, it has been ruling class eclectically formed over centuries. The highest formation being the Nafxanyaa System of last century.
Up to 1974 Ethiopian colonial government and Habashaa warlords possessed Oromo land with few pieces allotted to their local agents, indigenous clan leaders. After 1974 it was declared land belonged to the government changing Ethiopian feudal land relations. Government here means unitary government of Ethiopia. But, for the colonized nothing changed, land remained still in hands of aliens. Since then, resettlement from the colonial motherland to change demography of the region or ethnic cleansing increased. And land became lucrative source of income for corrupt colonial officials under the guise of master plan, development, investment, and lease. This does not include the increase in holy water and holy Taabot sneaking and land grabbing by Amaaraa missionaries. All governance policy and propaganda were geared to enforce Amaaraa supremacy without which it cannot survive. It is for such survival that Amaaraa nafxanyaa elites are clinging to Isaayyaas to revers effect of fifty years revolution
Seventy years ago, all text books and songs were about greatness of the emperor and Ethiopia, nothing about the colonized. They were considered as subhuman not worth mentioning in human history. Those songs are what Abiy wanted to sing for Oromo again. With Oromo children the intended brainwashing for assimilation did not fully go through for not understanding the language of instruction. Revolutionary thought that crept in the 60s easily kicked out whatever Ethiopian nationalism schools tried to implant on tender Oromo minds. Qubee later buried it deep. For Amaara children that was a process of their political socialization and sunk in properly. That is probably why they resist any change in adulthood, however educated they may be. They even dream of long imported “Fidel” back into Oromo life.
The Darg continued stressing absoluteness of empires unity” and “One Ethiopia or Death!” slogan. That only led to its downfall. After the Darg Amaaraa supremacy is struggling to come back. Amharic and the tricolor flag remain official. If at all there is going to be union of the willing, supremacy of these must end for language and colors of all members must equally be respected.
The forces that came after the Darg, which were mixtures of colonized and colonizer elites, came to common understanding that they cannot continue with past political, social, and economic tradition. In the transitional Charter idea of democratic union of the willing was introduced. That derailed Amaaraa ambition of nafxanyaa system restoration. But the forces failed dismantling the empire state which was necessary for viability of such union. For the moment, the Transitional Charter saved the empire from breaking up violently. But flip flopping of TPLF/EPRDF cut short the new partnership. However, though many were kicked out the idea of democratic union was extended to federal constitution that recognized “right of nations to national self-determination up to and including independence” In 2018 many rejoined the so-called transitional period because of that provision. Amaara elites rejected it totally calling it anti-Ethiopia, which means anti-Amaaraa.
Amaaraa has no land to identify with as a group, so they formed “Amaaraa Land Restoration Committee” to try snatch land they have never owned from others and identify with. Co-owners of “Amaaraa region, ”Agawu, Qimaant and Oromo are demanding to form their own autonomous region. When those are realized, there will be no Amaaraa region. On this issue, nations, nationalities, and people that adhere to principles of the constitution and Amaraa Nafxanyaa ruling class are entering into irreconcilable conflict. For the Oromo empire state is still the enemy. It is led by PP and all others like Amaaraa Faannoo and militias and Eritrean security are its sub groups. The empire is created by Amaaraa and even today it is being guided by Amaaraa thought. “Harreen wal dhiitti malee ilkaan walirraa hin fixxuu” (Donkey kick each other but never affect each other’s teeth) goes Oromo saying. Oromo fans of the regime will retreat home when they realize the reality except those who hate and have contempt for their own people. All aliens’ internal skirmishes are to get better access to Oromo land and resources. That is why Isaayyaas wanted to tie knots with Abiy and Farmaajoo. Each Oromo person should pay attention to this reality and foment all hate and spite against each other within own national camp stopping to be tool for aliens. With Oromummaa they win everything for their people but joining alien plunderers at best they may get hand out from their own wealth. Oromo love peace, but for those that despise them they know how to use spears and shields and more to be respected; not to be feared like the enemy. Oromiyaan haa jiraattu!
Jaawwii.org 