Daily Archives: August 8, 2026
A Gathering of Purpose: Oromo Diaspora Unites in St. Paul for Historic Council Meetings
The Joint Session of the ABO Diaspora Structure Council and ABO North America Structure Council Commences with Blessings, Song, and a Memorial for the Fallen
By Daandii Ragabaa
(St. Paul, Minnesota — August 7, 2026)- In a powerful display of organizational unity and cultural resilience, the Walgayiin Hawaasaa —the community gathering—has commenced in St. Paul, Minnesota. This historic event unites the Kora Caasaa ABO Biyyoota Alaa (Diaspora Structure Council of the Oromo Liberation Front) and the Kora Gamtaa Caasaa ABO Amerikaa Kaabaa (Joint Structure Council of the ABO North America), marking a significant moment in the institutional consolidation of the Oromo liberation movement abroad.
The proceedings opened with the solemn recitation of Eebba Manguddoo —the Great Blessing—and the singing of Faaruu Alaabaa, the national anthem of the Oromo people. This was followed by a memorial ceremony honoring the Jaallan —the beloved fallen heroes of the struggle—whose sacrifices continue to inspire the movement.
The choice of St. Paul, Minnesota, as the host city is no accident. Over the past three decades, Minnesota has earned the affectionate title “Little Oromia” for hosting one of the largest Oromo populations outside of East Africa. In this space, the past meets the present—elders who witnessed the early days of the OLF sit alongside youth born in the West, forging an intergenerational bond that strengthens the movement’s resilience.
The Opening Ceremony: Blessings, Song, and Memory
The commencement of the joint session was marked by traditional Oromo cultural and spiritual practices that have sustained the community across generations. The Eebba Manguddoo, or Great Blessing, is a ritual invocation that calls upon Waaqa (God) for peace, prosperity, and the success of the Oromo people in their collective endeavors.
Oromo oral literature encompasses multiple forms of expression, including eebba (blessings) and faaruu (songs of praise), which are performed across generations in different social and cultural contexts. The recitation of the Great Blessing and the singing of the national anthem served as a spiritual and cultural foundation for the political work that followed.
The memorial ceremony for the Jaallan —the beloved pillars of the struggle—honored those who have given their lives for the liberation of Oromia. As one OLF leader declared: “If we are people of truth, our people will never abandon us under any circumstances. But if we are people of falsehood, even if we hold something, we will lose it”. This commitment to truth and integrity is central to the movement’s ethos.
Institutional Strength: The Core of the Council’s Work
The joint session of the two councils underscores a central theme in the Oromo movement’s recent history: the strength of the institution . This represents a mature evolution in diaspora political consciousness—the understanding that liberation requires not just passion or grievance, but organizational resilience, strategic continuity, and the mechanisms required to sustain a movement across decades and continents.
The meticulous preparation of these councils and their joint session is itself a direct, tangible contribution to the struggle, ensuring that support and sustenance for the freedom struggle continues to receive continuity.
The flyer circulating among community groups carries a powerful mantra: “As always, consistency and determination remain the foundation of lasting progress and success“. These words are not empty rhetoric. In the long and often brutal struggle for Oromo self-determination, fads and fleeting passions have no place. What sustains the movement is the dogged, day-in and day-out commitment of a people who refuse to be erased.
Why St. Paul? The Heart of the Oromo Diaspora
The choice of Minnesota for this historic gathering is deeply significant. Since the 1990s, Minnesota has become a sanctuary and a springboard for Oromo activism. From the bustling neighborhoods of Minneapolis to the suburban cities of St. Paul, Oromo culture thrives—through language, music, faith, and political organization.
The Oromo Community Centre in St. Paul has become a hub for diaspora organizing. Recent events include the Oromo Studies Association’s 40th Anniversary Celebration at the centre on July 31, 2026, and the “Mara: 40 Years of Oromo Knowledge Making” art exhibition, which opened on August 6, 2026, at the Soomaal House of Art. The week also featured the Oromo Sports Federation of North America’s 30th Anniversary celebration, concluding with a concert at the Palace Theatre in St. Paul on August 8.
Holding the joint session of the ABO councils here acknowledges the diaspora not as a distant bystander, but as a vital pillar of the liberation project.
The ABO’s Global Reach: Building Oromia Without Borders
The joint session brings together two critical components of the ABO’s diaspora structure: the global Diaspora Structure Council (Korri Caasaa ABO Biyyoota Alaa) and the North America regional structure (Kora Gamtaa Caasaa ABO Amerikaa Kaabaa). This integration reflects the ABO’s recognition that the work of building Oromia extends beyond Ethiopia’s borders.
The ABO has a significant diaspora presence, with offices in Washington, D.C., and Berlin, serving as hubs for organizing, advocacy, and communication. These offices also operate radio stations broadcasting in both Amharic and Oromo, ensuring the organization’s message reaches Oromo communities worldwide. This global reach allows the ABO to advocate for the Oromo cause on the world stage, build solidarity with other movements, and sustain the struggle even when political space is closed inside Ethiopia.
The joint session in St. Paul is a testament to this global network in action.
A Renewed Vow: “Ni Jirra!” – We Are Here
Throughout the proceedings, the community has echoed the rallying cry that unites Oromo people across continents: “IUOf!” —Victory to the Oromo people. This declaration resonates across generations, affirming the unshakable belief in the Oromo nation’s future.
The gatherings in St. Paul mirror the spirit of the Oromo diaspora’s New Year affirmation in Edmonton, where the simple, powerful declaration “Ni jirra!” —”We are here!”—served as an existential, geopolitical, and institutional affirmation. It declares that the Oromo people persist, that they are present and active in diaspora communities, and that the OLF/ABO, as the vehicle of their aspirations, is alive and organizing.
Conclusion: A Foundation for the Future
The commencement of the Walgayiin Hawaasaa in St. Paul marks a milestone in the organizational history of the Oromo liberation movement. The joint session of the ABO Diaspora Structure Council and the ABO North America Structure Council, opened with blessings, song, and memorial, represents the integration of global and regional diaspora structures under a unified vision.
As the flyer for the event declares, consistency and determination remain the foundation of lasting progress and success. The hundreds of Oromo community members gathering in St. Paul this week embody that spirit.
The work continues. The structure is in place. The foundation is strong.
ABO haa waaru!
Injifannoon Ummata Oromoo!
IUOf!
This feature article is dedicated to all the fallen heroes of the Oromo liberation struggle—the Jaallan—whose memory inspires the work of the diaspora. Their sacrifice is not forgotten, and their legacy lives on in the structures and institutions built in their honor.
Advocacy for Oromia 