FEATURE NEWS: A Salute to the Steadfast – Honoring Veteran Oromo Freedom Fighter Jaal Dhugaasaa Bakakkoo on Oromo Liberation Army Day

In a moment that bridged generations of struggle, the presence of revered Oromo elder and veteran freedom fighter Jaal Dhugaasaa Bakakkoo became the defining symbol of this year’s Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) Day commemorations.

Attendees at the ceremony were deeply moved as the elder, a foundational figure from the very inception of the Oromo Liberation Struggle, was honored. His physical presence served as a powerful, living connection to the movement’s roots and sacrifices.

“To see with my own eyes pioneers of the Oromo struggle like Jaal Dhugaasaa, who were among the first to take up the mantle of our liberation, has filled me with immense honor,” shared one emotional attendee. “It is a profound blessing.”

The honor was made tangible with the presentation of a symbolic Alaabaa Oromoo—a ceremonial scarf of love and respect in the Oromo flag’s colors of red, green, and red. “Receiving this Alaabaa Oromoo from his hands filled me with great joy,” the recipient added. “My heartfelt thanks. You have set a supreme example for us.”

The celebration was not just a political remembrance but a heartfelt communal wish for the elder’s wellbeing. Attendees expressed their prayers for his long life, continued health, and prosperity, alongside the hope that he remains with his people for years to come. “May you live a long, healthy, and fulfilled life among your people,” was the collective sentiment, acknowledging his irreplaceable role as a living archive of the struggle’s history and values.

Jaal Dhugaasaa Bakakkoo is widely recognized as a senior figure within the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) and a former executive member of its armed wing, the OLA (WBO). His life’s journey maps the evolution of the modern Oromo quest for self-determination, making his participation in contemporary commemorations a potent act of continuity.

The event underscored a central theme resonating across the diaspora this year: the unbroken chain of commitment. Honoring figures like Jaal Dhugaasaa reinforces the understanding that today’s political space and determination are built upon the sacrifices of yesterday’s pioneers. It served as both a thanksgiving to the past and a solemn passing of responsibility to ensure the “support and sustenance for the freedom struggle continues to receive continuity.”

As one participant powerfully noted, the very act of organizing such gatherings is a declaration: “By doing this, saying ‘we are here!’ is a duty that must continue.” The presence of Jaal Dhugaasaa Bakakkoo at its center was a vivid reminder of where “here” began, and why the journey must persist.