As we reflect on half a century of the Oromo liberation struggle, we look forward with hope and determination to the generations who will carry our culture, strength, identity, and resilience into the future.

There are moments in the life of a nation when the past and the future converge. When the struggles of previous generations meet the hopes of those yet to come. When the sacrifices of the present become the foundation upon which the dreams of tomorrow are built.

For the Oromo people, this is such a moment.

As we honour the past 50 years of the Oromo freedom struggle, we are called not only to remember—to honour the sacrifices, to celebrate the victories, to mourn the losses—but also to look forward. To imagine what the next 50 years might bring. To prepare the next generation to carry forward the torch of liberation.

The Journey of Half a Century

The Oromo liberation struggle is not a recent phenomenon. It stretches back more than a century to the late 19th century, when the Oromo people fell under the yoke of colonial domination. Yet the past 50 years represent a particularly significant chapter in this long history—a period of organized resistance, of growing political consciousness, of sustained struggle for self-determination.

From the establishment of the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) in 1973, the Oromo people have waged a principled struggle for their rights.

The past five decades have witnessed:

• The articulation of a clear political vision for Oromo self-determination
• The mobilization of Oromo communities across the globe
• The documentation of Oromo history and culture
• The cultivation of Oromo leadership and political consciousness
• The resilience of the Oromo people in the face of immense challenges

This is not merely a political struggle—it is a struggle for the soul of a people. It is a struggle to reclaim what was taken: land, culture, language, identity, and dignity.

How Far We’ve Come

“As we honour the past 50 years Oromo freedom struggle journey and recognise how far we’ve come…”

The distance traveled is remarkable. Fifty years ago, the Oromo language was suppressed, Oromo identity was denied, and Oromo political expression was criminalized. Today, Afaan Oromo is widely spoken and written, Oromo culture is celebrated, and Oromo voices are heard on the international stage.

The journey has been long and arduous, but the progress is undeniable.

• Political Awareness: Oromo political consciousness has grown exponentially. The Oromo people understand their history, their rights, and their potential more clearly than ever before.
• Cultural Revival: The Oromo language and culture have experienced a renaissance. Afaan Oromo is now taught in schools, used in media, and celebrated in literature and the arts.
• Global Recognition: The Oromo cause is now known and supported internationally. Human rights organizations, governments, and civil society groups around the world have recognized the legitimacy of the Oromo struggle.
• Organizational Strength: The Oromo liberation movement has developed sophisticated organizational structures, political programs, and strategic capabilities.
• Resilience: Despite immense challenges, the Oromo people have demonstrated extraordinary resilience. They have survived repression, displacement, and attempts at cultural erasure.

Looking to the Future

“…we also want to look ahead to the next 50, our future generations of children and young people who carry our culture, strength, identity and resilience into the future Oromia.”

The struggle for Oromo liberation is not a one-generation project. It is a multi-generational endeavor that requires each generation to do its part, to make its sacrifices, and to prepare the next generation to continue the work.

The future of Oromia belongs to the children and young people who are growing up today. They are the inheritors of our culture, the carriers of our strength, the guardians of our identity, and the embodiment of our resilience.

The Responsibility of the Current Generation

We who stand in the present moment have a profound responsibility to the generations yet to come. We must ensure that:

Our culture endures. The Oromo language, traditions, and way of life must be passed on to the next generation. This requires not only preservation but also innovation—adapting our culture to new circumstances while maintaining its essence.

Our strength is sustained. The resilience that has carried the Oromo people through centuries of oppression must be nurtured in the younger generation. They must know their history, understand their rights, and have the courage to claim them.

Our identity is understood. The younger generation must know who they are, where they come from, and what they are fighting for. They must have a clear sense of Oromo identity—not as something to be ashamed of, but as something to be celebrated.

Our resilience is passed on. The capacity to endure hardship, to persist in the face of adversity, and to maintain hope in the darkest of times—this is the legacy we must leave to the next generation.

The Future Oromia

What does the future Oromia look like? What are we working toward?

The future Oromia is one in which:

• The Oromo people are free—free from colonial domination, free from political oppression, free from economic exploitation, and free from cultural suppression.
• The Oromo people are equal—equal to all other peoples, with the same rights, the same opportunities, and the same respect.
• The Oromo people are prosperous—able to develop their resources, pursue their aspirations, and build a better life for themselves and their children.
• The Oromo people are united—not divided by regionalism, not fragmented by factionalism, but united by a common history, a common culture, and a common vision.
• The Oromo people are proud—proud of their identity, their heritage, and their contributions to the world.
• The Oromo people are peaceful—living in peace with their neighbours, contributing to regional stability, and building a just and democratic society.

The Role of Children and Young People

Children and young people are not just the future—they are the present. They are already contributing to the struggle in their own ways.

• They are learning their language and culture, ensuring that they are not lost.
• They are studying their history, understanding the sacrifices of those who came before.
• They are organizing and advocating, making their voices heard in their communities and beyond.
• They are building the institutions and structures that will sustain the struggle into the future.

We must invest in our children and young people. We must educate them, empower them, and support them.

A Call to Action

As we honour the past 50 years of the Oromo struggle and look forward to the next 50, we are called to action:

To the current generation: We must continue the struggle, making the sacrifices necessary to achieve liberation. We must also prepare the next generation, ensuring that they are ready to carry the torch forward.

To the next generation: You are the hope of our people. You carry our culture, strength, identity, and resilience. You are the future Oromia. You must learn from those who came before, build on their achievements, and chart your own path.

To the Oromo community: We must work together, united in our purpose and committed to our cause. We must support our children and young people, investing in their education, their health, and their well-being. We must build institutions that will serve future generations. We must create a society in which Oromo children can thrive.

Conclusion

The next 50 years will be shaped by the choices we make today. If we invest in our children and young people, if we pass on our culture, strength, identity, and resilience, if we continue the struggle with determination and unity, then the future Oromia will be everything we have dreamed of.

The Oromo people have survived the worst that history has thrown at them. They have endured colonisation, suppression, exile, and attempts at cultural genocide. Yet they persist. They continue to struggle. They continue to hope.

“As we honour the past 50 years Oromo freedom struggle journey and recognise how far we’ve come, we also want to look ahead to the next 50, our future generations of children and young people who carry our culture, strength, identity and resilience into the future Oromia.”

The past 50 years have been a journey of struggle and sacrifice, of resilience and hope. The next 50 years will be a journey of rebuilding and renewal, of liberation and flourishing.

May the Oromo children and young people of the future look back on this moment and say: “They prepared the way for us. They gave us the foundation upon which we built our freedom.”

The struggle continues. The future awaits. And the Oromo people will prevail.