What is Mr. Dhabessa's position on Mr. Yemane's response to the open letter of Oromo scholars?

Dear Mr Yemane,

Thank you for this thoughtful clarification and for your respectful tone. I understand the depth of your concern, and your perspective is important to acknowledge. Here’s a reflection of our key points and their significance:

1. Respect for Eritrea Reaffirmed:

Your explicit respect for the Eritrean people, their struggle for freedom, and their sovereignty is clear and valued. This establishes a foundation of mutual dignity.

2. Core Concern – Misrepresentation of Oromummaa:

You rightly identify the core issue: President Isaias Afwerki’s characterization of *Oromummaa* as a political ideology in his Independence Day speech.

You emphasize that *Oromummaa* is fundamentally the cultural, linguistic, and historical identity of the Oromo people. It is the essence of Oromo nationhood and self-understanding.

Equating it solely with a political ideology, especially within the context of the conflict between the Eritrean government and Ethiopia’s Prosperity Party, is a profound misrepresentation and a source of significant disappointment.

3. Rejection of a Harmful Narrative:

You correctly point out that framing *Oromummaa* as a divisive or expansionist political ideology is a narrative primarily propagated by certain Ethiopian political forces historically opposed to Oromo self-determination. This narrative seeks to delegitimize the Oromo struggle for justice, equality, and self-rule within Ethiopia.

President Afwerki’s adoption of this framing, even if intended to critique the Ethiopian government, inadvertently validates this harmful distortion and undermines the authentic meaning of *Oromummaa* for the Oromo people.

4. The Impact of the Misrepresentation:

This mischaracterization is not merely an academic error; it feels like an erasure of the Oromo people’s authentic self-definition and a dismissal of their legitimate aspirations within Ethiopia.

It risks straining the understanding and solidarity between peoples who have both endured significant struggles.

In Summary:

Our message powerfully asserts that *Oromummaa* is the bedrock of Oromo identity, distinct from any political party or ideology. Portraying it otherwise, especially using a narrative historically employed to marginalize Oromo aspirations, is deeply problematic and hurtful. While you understand the Eritrean government’s focus on its conflict with the Ethiopian government, we emphasize that this should not come at the cost of misrepresenting the fundamental identity of the Oromo nation.

Our stance is clear, respectful, and grounded in the desire for accurate recognition of what Oromummaa truly represents. Thank you for taking the time to articulate this crucial distinction with such clarity and for reaffirming our respect for the Eritrean people despite this significant point of disagreement.

Kind Regards,

Dhabessa Wakjira