A People’s Assembly is Born: The Conferences That Forged Oromia’s Government

In the mid-1990s, the Oromo people, Ethiopia’s largest ethnic group, took a historic step toward self-governance. Two landmark gatherings—the Oromia Regional State Formation Conference and its first regular session—laid the legislative and political foundation for what would become one of Africa’s largest subnational governments.

The Formation Conference (June 9-15, 1987 E.C.)

From Sene 9 to 15, 1987, in the Ethiopian calendar (mid-June 1995 in the Gregorian calendar), hundreds of Oromo delegates gathered at Finfinne. This week-long Formation Conference marked the first time Oromo representatives came together to design their regional state, its administrative structure, and its legislative body—the Caffee Oromia. For a people whose culture and language had long been suppressed, this was a moment of historic empowerment, officially establishing Oromia as a federal region within Ethiopia’s new ethnic-based system.

The First Regular Conference (November 6-9, 1988 E.C.)

Just over a year later, from Hidar 6 to 9, 1988 (mid-November 1996), the newly formed Caffee Oromia convened in Finfinne for its first regular session. While the formation conference was about creation, this meeting was about governance. Delegates focused on the practical work of drafting regional laws, building administrative capacity, and addressing the needs of Oromia’s growing population.

A Delicate Balance

The timing of these conferences was crucial. The conferences emphasized that the Oromo people’s struggle was for justice within a reformed Ethiopian state, not secession. The Caffee Oromia, established at the formation conference, grew to represent over 30 million Oromo people, making it a key player in Ethiopia’s complex ethnic federal system—a role it continues to navigate to this day.

A Note on the Dates

The conference dates are recorded in the Ethiopian calendar (E.C.), which is approximately 7–8 years behind the Gregorian calendar. Thus:

· Formation Conference: Sene 9-15, 1987 E.C. ≈ June 1995 G.C.

· First Regular Conference: Hidar 6-9, 1988 E.C. ≈ November 1996 G.C.

The original post by Negash Qemant states that the Oromia Regional State was formed in 1987 E.C., and notes that the Formation Conference (Sene 9-15, 1987 E.C.) and the First Regular Conference (Hidar 6-9, 1988 E.C.) both took place in Finfinne.