FEATURE NEWS: “Steadfastness Is Our Leaders’ Mark” – A Legacy Charge from Veteran Oromo Fighter Jaal Dhugaasaa Bakakkoo

A powerful and symbolic passing of the torch was highlighted this week as activist Raajii Gudeta Geleta shared a personal charge received from revered Oromo elder and liberation stalwart, Jaal Dhugaasaa Bakakkoo. The message, simple yet profound, cuts to the core of the movement’s enduring philosophy: “Strengthen yourself for the goal you stand for. Do not let this trust (amaanaa) wither.”

The directive, shared by the activist, transcends mere encouragement. It is framed as a sacred covenant between the generations of the struggle. Jaal Dhugaasaa, a former senior executive of the Oromo Liberation Army (WBO/OLA) and a foundational figure in the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF), is seen as a living repository of the movement’s history and its original kaayyoo (objective). His words are therefore treated not as casual advice but as a veteran’s strategic and moral bequeathal.

“This trust (amaanaa) is the entire struggle itself,” explained Raajii Gudeta in contextualizing the message. “It is the sacrifice of those who came before us, the dream of freedom they carried, and the responsibility they placed in our hands. When Jaal Dhugaasaa says ‘do not let it wither,’ he is speaking to every Oromo, especially the youth, to guard the purity and focus of our objective.”

The activist’s commentary elaborated further, emphasizing the non-negotiable direction of the journey. “The starting point and destination of the Oromo struggle—sovereign statehood—is not something that turns back until it is realized.” This statement reinforces the movement’s foundational claim to self-determination and dismisses any notion of tactical retreat from its ultimate goal.

Most striking was the framing of resilience itself as a defining leadership trait. “Steadfastness (cephoominni) of the Objective is the hallmark of our leaders,” Raajii Gudeta stated. In a political landscape often marked by fragmentation and shifting allegiances, this highlights an internal metric for legitimacy within the community. True leadership, by this measure, is defined not by fleeting popularity but by unwavering fidelity to the kaayyoo, even under immense pressure.

The event underscores a recurring theme in Oromo political discourse: the vital link between historical memory and contemporary action. Figures like Jaal Dhugaasaa Bakakkoo serve as both inspiration and accountability mechanisms. Their public presence and private exhortations are constant reminders that today’s political calculations are judged against the backdrop of decades of sacrifice and a clearly stated destination.

This reported exchange is more than a personal anecdote; it is a microcosm of the movement’s ongoing dialogue with its own soul. It reaffirms that the Oromo struggle views itself as a generational relay race, where the sacred amaanaa of sovereignty is the baton, and cephoominni—unyielding steadfastness—is the only acceptable posture for those who dare to carry it. The message from the elder is clear: the path is set, the trust is given. Now, guard it, strengthen yourselves, and do not waver.