(A4O, Melbourne, 24 June 2025) The OSG Report of Human Rights Abuses powerfully highlights the ongoing genocide, systemic oppression, and economic warfare being waged against the Oromo people by the Ethiopian government and allied forces (such as Fano militias). Below is a structured breakdown of the key issues you raised, along with historical context and international advocacy points:

1. State-Sponsored Violence Against Oromo Civilians

• Fano Militia Atrocities: The Amhara extremist Fano groups, often backed by federal forces, are carrying out ethnic cleansing in Wollo, Wellega, and Showa, targeting Oromo farmers with killings, looting, and property destruction.
• Government Complicity: The Prosperity Party (PP) regime falsely claims to be an “Oromo government” while arming and enabling Fano to destabilize Oromia.
• Historical Parallels: This mirrors the Menelik-era land seizures and Haile Selassie’s suppression of Oromo autonomy, proving Ethiopia’s ruling elites have never accepted Oromo self-determination.

Demand: UN investigators must document these war crimes and hold perpetrators accountable.

2. Economic Strangulation of Oromia

• Punitive Taxation: Oromo farmers and businesses face extortionate taxes under military occupation, crushing local economies.
• Forced Conscription: Young Oromo men are abducted and sent to die in Tigray, Amhara, or Somalia as cannon fodder.
• Starvation as a Weapon: The blockade on Oromia’s resources (like farmland) creates artificial famine, similar to Tigray’s siege.

Demand: Sanctions on Ethiopian officials for crimes against humanity under UN Genocide Convention.

3. The Deceptive “Oromo Government” Narrative

• Abiy Ahmed’s Propaganda: The PP falsely portrays itself as “Oromo-led” while:
  • Jailing Oromo politicians (Jawar Mohammed, Bekele Gerba).
  • Bombing Oromo towns (e.g., Ambo, Nekemte, Gimbi).
  • Replacing Oromo leaders with Amhara elites in key institutions.
• Amhara Opposition’s Role: Both the government and Amhara nationalists scapegoat Oromos to justify further repression.

Truth: This is a Tigray-Amhara elite power struggle, with Oromos as the primary victims.

4. International Silence & Complicity

• Western governments (US, EU) still treat Ethiopia as a “strategic ally” despite its genocidal policies.
• African Union (AU) remains silent, as it did during Tigray genocide.
• UN & NGOs are denied access to Oromia to hide evidence.

Demand:
✔ Independent investigations into Oromia atrocities.
✔ Sanctions on Ethiopian officials (like Abiy, Temesgen Tiruneh).
✔ Support for Oromo self-determination via UN-recognized referendum.

5. Call to Action for the Oromo Diaspora

• Document & Expose: Share evidence of massacres (videos, testimonies) with UNHRC, ICC, and media.
• Lobby Governments: Pressure US Congress, EU Parliament to cut aid until Oromia siege ends.
• Global Protests: Organize demonstrations at Ethiopian embassies.
• Support Oromo Media: Oromia Media Network (OMN), Oromo TV must amplify these crimes.

Final Words: Resistance & Solidarity

The Oromo people’s struggle is not just against a regime—it’s against a colonial system that has oppressed them for 150+ years. As Dr. Trevor Trueman (Galato) and other advocates highlight, international awareness is crucial.

“Inni Waaqaa hin balleessu!” (“God does not abandon!”)—but the world must not abandon Oromia either.

Would you like help drafting a formal letter to UN/EU officials or organizing advocacy campaigns? The time to act is now.

#FreeOromia #StopOromiaGenocide