By Maatii Sabaa

In the heart of the United Kingdom, far from the highlands of Oromia, a profound act of remembrance is taking shape. The Oromo community in England, in collaboration with the global Oromo diaspora, has initiated a project that transforms grief into action and memory into a living legacy: the Haacaaluu Hundeessaa Foundation.

Six years after the iconic artist and activist was assassinated in Addis Ababa, his voice refuses to fade. In the UK, members of the diaspora have taken upon themselves the sacred duty of ensuring that his sacrifice was not in vain, carrying forward his mission of cultural preservation, justice, and empowerment.

A Voice Silenced, A Movement Strengthened

Haacaaluu Hundeessaa was more than a musician. His 2015 single Maalan Jira (What Existence Is Mine) became the rallying anthem of the Oromo protests that fundamentally altered Ethiopia’s political landscape . His lyrics captured the pain of displacement, the humiliation of marginalization, and the unyielding pride of a people refusing to disappear .

Born in 1986 in Ambo, Haacaaluu’s path to becoming a cultural icon was forged in hardship. At just 17 years old, he was arrested for his political activities and imprisoned for five years without charge. It was in that incarceration that he shaped his identity and composed most of the songs that would define his career .

His assassination on June 29, 2020, sent shockwaves through the Oromo nation and Ethiopia as a whole, described by one commentator as “a spear through the heart of the Oromo nation” . The grief was so intense it triggered major protests that led to the loss of hundreds of lives. Yet from this tragedy emerged a renewed commitment to Haacaaluu’s vision.

Building the Foundation

The Haacaaluu Hundeessaa Foundation in the UK represents a concrete effort to honor the artist’s legacy through structured, sustainable action. This initiative builds upon similar efforts already underway in Ethiopia—most notably at Jimma University, which established a foundation in his name in 2020 .

Jimma University’s President, Dr. Jemal Abafita, articulated the vision when the foundation was first announced: “Haacaaluu is physically gone from us, but his works remain with us, and his legacy must grow stronger. As an institution of higher learning, we must emerge from this deep grief by remembering his name, making his sacrifice meaningful, and ensuring he occupies a great place in history” .

The UK-based foundation extends this mission to the diaspora, recognizing that the preservation of Oromo culture and the pursuit of justice require both local and international effort.

More Than Remembrance

The Oromo community in the UK has long been active in cultural preservation. Registered charities like the Oromo Community in Brighton & Hove work year-round to provide education in the Oromo language, history, and culture for children, ensuring that the next generation maintains its connection to its heritage .

The Haacaaluu Foundation amplifies these efforts. Its scope—as envisioned by its Ethiopian counterpart—embraces national and international partnership, with a focus on incubating youth talent and sustainably supporting educational initiatives. For the diaspora community, this means creating pathways for young Oromos in the UK to learn their language, understand their history, and engage with the struggle for justice in a meaningful way.

The Digital Bridge

One of the most powerful aspects of Haacaaluu’s legacy preservation has been the digitalization and global distribution of his music. A collaborative effort led by his childhood friend Olii Taammiraat, an ICT expert, ensured that Haacaaluu’s songs were made available on over 150 music platforms worldwide, including iTunes, Amazon Music, Apple Music, and Spotify .

This achievement was remarkable: for seven consecutive days, Haacaaluu’s music topped international charts—a first for any Ethiopian artist . As Olii explained to the BBC, “Haacaaluu was not just a musician; he was the voice of the people. His songs carry history, our wounds, and our hopes. When we lost him, it felt like that voice was stolen from us. We could not let that happen” .

The foundation builds on this work, ensuring that Haacaaluu’s music continues to reach new audiences and inspire new generations.

A Call to the Diaspora

For the Oromo diaspora in the UK, the establishment of the Haacaaluu Hundeessaa Foundation represents a call to action. As community elders in diaspora commemorations have declared, “Haacaaluu gave us a mandate. His blood and his art demand a response from the Oromo people. We must respond to his sacrifice by vigorously demanding our inalienable rights” .

The foundation provides a structured vehicle for that response—a way to channel grief into action, memory into mission, and cultural pride into political advocacy. The Oromo community in the UK, like their counterparts in New Zealand, Nairobi, and across the world, are proving that while the man may be gone, the movement he inspired is more alive than ever .

Conclusion

The Haacaaluu Hundeessaa Foundation, as envisioned by the Oromo people of England and their partners, is a testament to the enduring power of art and the unbreakable spirit of a people. It is not merely a monument to a fallen hero but a living institution dedicated to the values he embodied: cultural pride, justice, and the relentless pursuit of freedom.

As Haacaaluu’s widow powerfully stated at his funeral, “Haacaaluu is not dead. He will remain in my heart and the hearts of millions of Oromo people forever” . In the United Kingdom, that promise is being kept—not through words alone, but through the concrete, sustainable work of a foundation built in his name.

The struggle continues. And with it, Haacaaluu’s voice—carried by the Oromo people of the UK and the global diaspora—refuses to be silenced.

For more information about the Haacaaluu Hundeessaa Foundation and ways to support its work, contact the Oromo Community in Brighton & Hove at 42 Manor Way, Brighton, BN2 5EF.