[SBO-Sadaasa 9, 2025] FDG Memorial Event Concludes with Solemn Tributes and Resolve

The 20th-anniversary commemoration of the Fincila Diddaa Gabrummaa (FDG) took place on Sadaasa 8, 2025, bringing together leaders, officials, members, and the families of freedom fighters.

The solemn program, which emphasized both reflection and steadfast resolve, featured several key speakers:

• Jaal Gammachiis Tolosaa, a member of the GS-ABO, opened the memorial ceremony.
• Jaal Yaasoo Kabbabaa, an OLF organizer, led the main program, honoring the sacrifices of Oromo sons and daughters in the struggle for freedom. The event followed Oromo tradition, concluding with prayers and blessings from elders.
• Jaal Girmaa Nagaasaa, one of the Qeerroo movement organizers, underscored the day’s significance, stating, “Commemorating Sadaasa 9 is not only about remembering the past, but also about continuing to work towards achieving its goals.”

Reflections on the FDG Movement’s Journey

The ceremony featured a presentation tracing the origins and evolution of the FDG movement.

• Jaal Lammii Beenyaa, an OLF leader, presented a paper outlining the role of the OLF and the Oromo youth in the struggles from the inception of the FDG up to the political changes of 2018. He stated, “The FDG was the foundation of the Oromo youth struggle; the OLF provided leadership, and the youth continued their fight.”

Acknowledging the Role of Oromo Women

• Jaal Biyyaa Ashabbir, a member of the GS-ABO in charge of the Women’s and Children’s Affairs branch (DDD), highlighted the multifaceted contributions of Oromo women. She noted that they were not only fighters on the battlefield but also mobilized the public through poetry and song, provided medical care, and played a crucial role in organizing the FDG movement from its inception.

A Look Back and a Look Forward

Jaal Yaasoo Kabbabaa, a political leader of the OLF and a surviving organizer of the FDG, provided historical context. He recalled that the Oromo people have faced similar challenges for the past 168 years, but the FDG was unique because it was channeled through the organizational structure of the OLF.

Addressing the relationship between the people and the front, Jaal Yaasoo stated, “The OLF has shown you the enemy; it is up to you to fight. The OLF alone cannot win its freedom without the people.” He also pushed back against critics of the OLF, asserting that the organization has grown from zero to achieving over 80% of its objectives.

Attendees, including families of martyrs, those injured in the movement, and many who lost loved ones, also shared their testimonies, highlighting the profound personal costs of the struggle.

A Call for Self-Determination

In a concluding speech, Jaal Amaan Filee, a member of the GS-ABO, declared, “The Oromo people are the owners of Oromia!” He emphasized that the Oromo people must be prepared to decide their own destiny, and that any delay is due only to the patience of the Oromo people themselves. He stressed that the immense sacrifices made must be validated by concretely securing and openly affirming Oromo identity and sovereignty.

The 20th-anniversary commemoration of the Sadaasa 9 FDG concluded with prayers for unity, messages of reconciliation, and the triumphant raising of the Oromo flag, symbolizing hope and continued resolve.