The Oromo people are the single largest ethnic group in Ethiopia and the wider Horn of Africa, making up upwards of 40% of the Ethiopian population. Despite this and the fact that the Oromo people have been systematically oppressed politically, socially and econmically for decades, the past seven days has seen the Ethiopian government violently attack Oromo protestors accross the country.

Seven days. Over 60 dead and many more injured. Children. The elderly. Unwarneted arrests and unlawful detention. This is what is rapidly unfolding in Ethiopia as you read these very words.

The protest’s were sparked by the governments plan to implement what is known as the ‘intergration master plan’. Put simply, the intent of unravelling this plan is to extend the capital city, Addis Ababa, which means that neighbouring towns that are majorly populated by Oromo’s are dismpowrered; Oromo farmers displaced and the Oromo identity further stifiled.

We, the international Oromo diaspora, call on the mentioned governments to firstly, demand that the Ethiopian government publicly explain why they have exercised such extreme and violent actions against peaceful Oromo protestors. Secondly, request that the Ethiopian government increases the level of media coverage surrounding the protestors and the resulting deaths of protestors. And thirdly, we call upon these governments to demand that the leaders of Ethiopia authorise human rights groups’ access to regions affected by the civil unrest.

You, as a single individual have the power to help the Oromo community in Ethiopia and abroad, realise this action.

http://www.change.org/en-AU/petitions/oromoprotests-join-the-movement#