FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT:
18 July 2020
The #OLF flag (aka Oromo flag) consists of three horizontal stripes of red (top & bottom) & green (middle).
At the center of the flag are a rising yellow sun & an Odaa tree, above which seats a five-pointed red star.
The colors & the symbols represent:
The green stripe symbolizes the riches & the nature of Oromo land.
The red stripes represents the sacrifices paid during the long Oromo struggle for freedom.
The rising sun symbolizes the dawning of freedom.
The Odaa tree is a hallmark of the indigenous Gadaa democracy of the Oromo people.
The five-pointed red star symbolizes Oromo struggle for peace, prosperity, freedom, democracy & unity.
Press Release on the Assassination of Haacaaluu Hundeessaa
and the Current Situation in Oromia, Ethiopia
The Oromo Studies Association (OSA) joins millions of Oromos and allies of Oromos in strongly condemning the senseless assassination of the famous artist and political activist Haacaaluu Hundeesaa. Through his music, oratory, and activism, Haacaaluu played a vital role in articulating and communicating the essence of Oromummaa and the objectives of Oromo
struggle for liberation and social justice. Consequently, as an Oromo cultural hero, he has captured the hearts and minds of millions of Oromos as the demonstrations of Oromos in Oromia and in the different parts of the world revealed.
The Oromo Studies Association denounces the brutal killings, imprisoning of thousands of Oromos for protesting against the assassination and government policies of labelling, attacking, and destroying the Oromo movement for self-determination, freedom, and democracy. Th Association finds the steps the Ethiopian government has taken to investigate Haacaaluu’s death unsettling. OSA also finds the government’s violent suppression of the peaceful protesters undemocratic and lacks legal credibility. Instead of carrying out a thorough investigation to find
out the the killers of Haacaaluu, the investigating team is focusing on the political opponents of the regime and publizing unconfirmed conspiracy theories to deflect the attention from the real assassins.
Furthermore, instead of addressing genuine Oromo demands, the regime of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has collaborated with the forces that are subjugating the Oromo, and has taken ideological, political, and military measures that are intended to delegitimize, discredit and destroy democratic Oromo leadership and institutions. We believe that these anti-Oromo forces are after all responsible for the current violence and crisis in Oromia.
The day after Haacaaluu’s assassination, the Ethiopian government blocked the Internet and telephone services, and independent Oromo media in the state of Oromia to restrict the flow of information. This was followed by a violent crackdown on thousands of civilians who wanted to give Haacaaluu a hero’s send off. It is disheartening that government security forces summarily executed members of Haacaaluu’s family as if the assassination of the artist was not enough. On the very same day, prominent political activists and opposition leaders like Jawar Mohammed, Bekele Gerba, Hamza Borana and thirty-five other Oromo leaders were arrested.
Later Dr. Shigux Galata, Michael Booran, Kennesaa Ayaanaa and several others were arbitrarily arrested. These actions were the continuation of imprisoning prominent OLF leaders such as Yasoo Kabada, Lammii Beenyae, Kaayyo Fufaa, Professor Bayana Ruudaa, Gadaa Bulti, and
Abdii Raggaasa. They also imprisoned several members of the Oromo Federalist Congress including Dajanee Taafaa. Interestingly, some of those detained hold foreign passports. For example, Dr. Shigux Galata is a citizen of Germany, while Redwaan Amaan, Yuusuf Bashir, and Micah Chiri are United Stated citizens. A Kenyan journalist, Yasin Juma was also arrested while covering the protests and government crackdown in Ethiopia. Trusting the prime minister’s initial promise to lead the reform process, Jawar Mohammed renounced his US citizenship only to fall into the prime minister’s trap and find himself in the notorious Ethiopian prison.
The Oromo Studies Association finds these arbitrary arrests and extra judicial killings extremely concerning. Such violent actions by the government illustrates a complete disregard for freedom of speech and human rights, which are the corner stone of a free and democratic society. It is a breach to the prime minister’s promises to the nation in his inaugural speech. It is contrary to the core principles of the Nobel Peace Prize which was given to him in 2019.
OSA strongly and resoundingly condemns violence perpetuated by the state against political opposition and civilians alike. Therefore, we demand the government of Ethiopia to:
Finally, OSA expresses its utter disappointment with hostile media outlets who, in their broadcasts, portray the Oromo people as hatemongers and killers. We are particularly concerned by the way tax-payer funded and government-supported media outlets such as VOA, Deutsche Welle, and BBC Amharic programs are presenting news stories and analyses about the current violence in Oromia. We believe that the interviews are staged, the sources are unbalanced and unverified; and contrary to journalistic professional ethnics their questions are leading to draw a desired conclusion.
In so doing, the journalists at these media outlets are not only propagating baseless and hostile propaganda against the Oromo people, but they are also complicating Ethiopia’s already too complicated problems. We demand that the journalists covering the Amharic program at of VOA, DW and BBC adhere to true professional principles of journalism by being fair and balanced. We plead to the respective boards of directors of these outlets to take all necessary measures to restrain their journalists from targeting the Oromo people.
The Oromo Studies Association
July 15, 2020
Dabessa Gemelal is one of many refugees in Australia who have been working in their communities to tackle COVID-19.
Through community education and information program and other initiatives he has been providing valuable community education and information about COVID-19 in Oromo language to make sure people know about and understand government measures and support services.
Dabessa is director of Advocacy for Oromia, which started the community education and information program to share verified information with refugee communities, especially Oromo community, about the coronavirus.
Dabessa believes we will get through these times because we are working together.
“A4O community education and information program showcases the positive contribution of our community and how they have come together in this unprecedented time to help everyone,” he said.
In addition to the community education and information program Dabessa has been organising online conversations with various Oromo community organisations and members to give information in Oromo language.
“I am working with the various Oromo Community associations, running online workshops to build the capacity of our people from refugee backgrounds in accessing timely and accurate information during COVID-19.”
Dabessa has experienced more in his life than most people can say from a lifetime of experiences. Dabessa fled Oromia in fear of political persecution.
He landed in Kenya as refugee, with no rights or access to work, education, health care or housing.
“I was always under threat of being arrested. I never felt safe in Kenya,” Dabessa said.
While Dabessa was in Nairobi, applying for refugee status, his worst fears were confirmed: “I got the news my wife was arrested.”
Just like her husband, Lelisse was falsely imprisoned for three years. In that time, Dabessa arranged for their children to be brought to Nairobi, and the family made their way to Australia — without Lelisse — as refugees.
After registering with the UNHCR and after three years, Dabessa’s family received a humanitarian visa for Australia and resettled in Adelaide in September 2009.
“I had mixed feelings the first few months after my arrival, however, I was very relieved that I was finally safe from harm and be an active citizen and get an education.”
Dabessa was thankful for the safety and freedom his new home afforded him. But his continued separation from Lelisse made it hard to settle in or get ahead.
“Until Lelisse arrived, I never think about a job because I’m caring [for the] children,” he explains. “I need to be home when the children come home. I’m going shopping, cooking, and making them to be stronger.”
Dabessa believes Australia has given him so many chances to succeed with challenges.
“The biggest success for me was that Australia gave me the opportunity to further my education. Within the 10 years, I hold Diploma of Community Services Work, Diploma of Case Management and recently hold a Bachelor of Social Work.”
Through his own personal experiences, Dabessa is determined to contribute in influencing change where people with lived experience are part of the decision-making process so that we better address the needs of refugees and people seeking asylum in Australia and around the world.
(Oromedia, Victoria, 21 June 2020) Mootummaan Victoria babal’ina koronaa ittisuuf qoqqobbii fi to’annaa jabeessuu beeksise.
Mataan mootummaa Victoria, Daniel Andrews, miidiyaaf akka beeksisetti, sababa dhibeen koronaa namoota 25 haarawaa irratti argameef qoqqobbiin sochii hawaasaa daangessu akka jabaatu godhame.
Akka labsa qoqqobbii haarawaa kanatti Waxabajjii (June) 22 irraa eegalee haga Adoolessa 12tti mana tokko keessatti namoota shanii ol ta’anii argamuun hin danda’amu.
Alatti immoo namoota kudhan qofaatu, bakka tokkotti argamuu danda’a
Daniel Andrews akka jedhetti, yeroo kana keessatti nageenya hawaasaa eeguuf filannoon jiru qoqqobbii jabeessuu qofaa dha.
“Seera sochii hawaasaa daangessu kana baasuutti gammachuu hin qabu; nageenya hawaasa keenyaa eeguuf furmaanni jiru kanuma,” jedhan.
Hojii irra oolmaa qoqqobbii kanaa mirkaneessufis, qaamoliin seeraa sakatta’iinsa manaa-manatti godhamu raawwachuuf qophiitti jiru.
Kanuma waliin qoqqobbii duraan ture laaffisuuf karoorri bahee jirus, sababa qoqqobbii haarawaatiin akka turfamu godhameera.
Akka kanaan Waxabajjii (June) 21 irraa eegalee haga Adoolessa 12tti jiraattota mana keessaa waliin kanneen mana keessatti argamuu danda’an namoota shan qofaa dha.
Mana nyaataa keessatti namoota 20 ol ta’anii argamuun hin dnada’amu.
Daangaan Victorias haga Adoolessa 12tti cufamee kan turu ta’a.
Karoorri sadarkaa sadaffaa kan haga namoota shantamaa akka walitti dhufuu danda’an hayyamus torban sadiif akka hojii irra hin oolle taasifameera.
Qoqqobbiin haarawaa kun kan labsame sababa namooti 25 haarawaa irratti dhibeen koronaa argameef akka ta’e beekameera.
Dilbata, Waxabajjii (June) 21 bara 2020, sa’aa 11.59 halkan irraa eegalee qoqobbiin tokko tokko akka jijjiiramu ibsamee turuun kan yaadatamuu dha.
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“Nageenya kee eeggachuu fi waan qajeeloo dalaguu yaadadhu. Yoo mana teessee dalaguu dandeetta tahe, mana taa’ii dalagi. Waa tokko godhchuun si irra hin jiru yoo tahe – hin godhini.”
(ኦሮሚዲያ, 20 ሰኔ 2020) የኦሮሞ ነፃነት ግንባር(ኦነግ) ለመላው የሲዳማ ህዝብ የእንኳን ደስ ያላችሁ መልዕክት አስተላለፈ።
የኦሮሞ ነፃነት ግንባር (ኦነግ) የሲዳማ ብሔር የራስን ዕድል በራስ የመወሰን ጥያቄ በሰላማዊ ትክክለኛና ህጋዊ በሆነ መልኩ እልባት ማግኘቱን አስመልክቶ ባስተላለፈዉ መልዕክት ስኬቱ ከፍተኛ ጠቀሜታ እንዳለዉ አዉስቷል።
“ይህ ስኬት የራስንዕ ዕድል በራስ የመወሰን መብቱን ለማስከበር ለዘመናት መራራ ትግል ሲያካሄድ ለኖረው የሲዳማ ሕዝብ ታላቅና ታሪካዊ ድል ነው።”
ኦነግ በመልዕክቱ እንደገለፀዉ የሲዳማ ህዝብ የዘመናት ጥያቄ ሆኖ የቆየው ራሱን በራስ የማስተዳደር እና በክልል የመደራጀት ህገ፡መንግስታዊ ጥያቄ ከረጅም ጊዜ ትግልና መስዋትነት በኋላ የተገኘ በመሆኑ ምሳሌነቱም አስተማሪና አበረታችም ነው።
ኦነግ በመልዕክቱ እንደገለፀዉ የሲዳማ ብሔር በመሪር ትግሉ የተጎናፀፈው ይህ ድል ልክ እንደ ሲዳማ የራስን ዕድል በራስ የመወሰን መብታቸውን ለማስከበር በመታገል ላይ ለሚገኙ ሌሎች ሕዝቦችም መልካምና ተስፋ ሰጪ ዜናም ነው ።
የሲዳማ ህዝብ ታሪካዊ በክልል የመደራጀት ጥያቄው ዛሬ እውን ሆኖ በይፋ ወደ ተግባራዊ እንቅስቃሴ መምጣቱ ትልቅ ድል መሆኑን ያወሰዉ ኦነግ “ለሲዳማ ብሔር እንኳን የትግልህ የድል ፍሬ እና የታጋዮች ልጆች መስዋዕትነት ዉጤት የሆነውን ይህን ታሪካዊ ደስታ ለማጣጣም በቃህ” በማለት መጪዉ ጊዜ የዘመናት ጥማት የሆኑት ነፃነት ሰላምና ዴሞክራሲ (ፍትሃዊ አስተዳደር) የሚረጋገጡበት እንዲሆን መልካም ምኞቱን ገልጿል።
የሲዳማ ህዝብ ራስን በራስ የማስተዳደር ህገ፡መንግስታዊ ጥያቄው ምላሽ እንዲያገኝ ለረጅም ጊዜያት ያለመታከት ታግሏል።
የሰላም አምባሳደር የሆነው የኦሮሞ ህዝብ ከአጎራባች እና ሌሎች ኢትዮጵያዊያን ህዝቦች ጋር ያለው ኢኮኖሚያዊ ፣ማህበራዊ እና ፖለቲካዊ መስተጋብር እንዲጠናከር ከመቼውም ጊዜ በላይ በቁርጠኝነት እንደሚሰራ ኦነግ በዚሁ የእንኳን ደስ አላችሁ መልእክቱ ገልጿል።
የሲዳማ ብሔራዊ ክልላዊ መንግስት ሰኔ 11 2012 ዓ.ም. ከኢትዮጵያ ፌዴረሽን አባል መንግስታት አንዱና አሥረኛዉ (10ኛዉ) ሆኖ በመዋቀር በይፋ የክልላዊ መንግስት ሥልጣኑን በመረከብ በይፋ የክልል ምስረታ ስልጣን ርክብክብ አድርጏል፡፡
የሲዳማ ህዝብ ህገ፡መንግስቱ ያጎናፀፈውን መብት በመጠቀምም የኢትዮጵያ ብሔራዊ ምርጫ ቦርድ በአካሄደው ህዝበ ውሳኔ መነሻ ይፋ በሆነው የድምጽ ውጤት መሠረት የራሱን ክልል ለማደራጀት የሚያስችል ድምጽ ማግኘቱ የሚታወስ ነው።
Oromia Global Forum
6909 Laurel Ave, Suite 5219
Tacoma Park, MD20913
Email: oromiaglobalforum@gmail.com
Phone: 612-483-0161
To All Oromos Around The Globe,
Dear respected sisters and brothers,
We, the Oromia Global Forum (OGF), a global alliance of Oromo Civic, Professional and Faith-Based Organizations and individual proponents of Human Rights, residing in North America, Europe, Australia, Asia and Africa are writing this letter to you out of grave concern and fear for the future of the Oromo Nation. Our mission is to enhance Oromo unity, discuss, analyze and deliberate on man-made and natural disasters as well as human rights abuses plaguing the Oromo nation, and design strategies to mitigate the plights of our people.
OGF’s values are based on the egalitarian Gadaa System of the Oromo nation, in which the dignity of all human beings is equally respected and defended, irrespective of their color, culture and creed. OGF advocates for the protection and promotion of all human rights in Oromia and beyond. OGF upholds and defends the moral and ethical values of the Oromo nation, in which all human beings are equally treated, truth is defended and justice is served without discrimination. Furthermore, Oromia Global Forum (OGF) stands for, and defends Oromo national unity, integrity of Oromia, equality of its citizens, freedom of expression, social justice, self-determination and respect all forms of diversity in our society. We would like to kindly inform you that this letter of ours is based on these social, moral, ethical and human values of our Organization.
Dear respected sisters and brothers,
As you know, the Oromo nation has been impoverished and victimized since the occupation of Oromia by Abyssinian warlords. Despite uninterrupted resistance of the Oromo people to regain its liberty and dignity, the end goal has not yet been achieved. Thousands of Oromo youth paid heavy sacrifices to topple the TPLF government in a peaceful resistance between 2014-18. However, even though the resistance succeeded in removing the oppressive TPLF-led EPRDF regime, the group that took over did not make matters any better for the Oromo people. Conditions have become worse for the Oromo people. The Oromo people continued to be exploited, incarcerated, tortured, dehumanized and killed by the Abyssinian clique camouflaged as Oromo Government. Thousands are languishing in the prison chambers. West and South Oromia are under military rule for more than two years. The government has cut off communications: land lines, cell phones, the internet and other basic services to allow its soldiers free hand to torture and kill our people at will, and hide the crimes perpetrated.
Oromo students in colleges and universities are harassed, beaten and killed. Unspecified number of Oromo students are jailed in Amhara zones. More than 35,000 Oromo students are dismissed from colleges and universities around the country and languishing in cities and towns without any support. These students cannot even go back to their villages because of the war. Some of the villages are burnt down to the ground. Their parents are forcefully displaced and running away from their homes.
The Oromia Global Forum(OGF) is undertaking campaigns to expose the crimes committed by Ethiopian government, telling the international community the true Oromo stories, the sufferings of our people by writing letters to the heads of governments, parliamentarians, governmental and non-governmental officials, and by organizing media campaigns, public rallies (demonstrations) and issuing press releases from time to time.
Dear respected sisters and brothers,
As you know, the challenges facing our nation are intensifying daily. Daughters and mothers are raped. Young people are killed. Mothers are killed. Fathers are killed. Elders are killed. The dead bodies of our people are disposed into the bushes and eaten by hyena. To make the matters worse, the government of Ethiopia has illegally and forcefully extended its term in office for unlimited period to continue killing our people for unlimited time.
If we don’t not act collectively and promptly against these crimes, our nation is facing existential threat. The Oromia Global Forum believes, to avert the looming danger, all Oromos around the globe need to streamline and consolidate our efforts and resources; and act collectively and effectively.
To this effect, we respectfully and humbly invite you, the Oromo people: farmers, students, teachers, business women and men, pastors, pastoralists, sheks, activists, intellectuals, religious scholars and leaders, the media, Oromo youth (Qeerroo fi Qarree – the engine of Oromo national movement), etc. to join our hands and act together, so that we can collectively defend our nation, enhance our voices for our people and contribute to the creation of free, peaceful, and prosperous Oromia. Moreover, you are cordially invited to join us on the launching conference of Oromia Global Forum, on July 18, 2020.
We value your commitment, your cooperation and contribution, sacrificing your time, energy and other resources.
Respectfully,
Oromia Global Forum: a global alliance of Oromo Civic, Professional and Faith-Based Organizations
Signatories
Melbourne, 19 June 2020
At the threshold of the historic moment when the official transfer of power was conducted, on behalf of the Advocacy for Oromia (A4O), I take this opportunity to convey our congratulations and profound good wishes to the Sidama nation who have been struggling for freedom and equality over the past several decades. Indeed, it is a matter of great joy that at last the great day has come, the day of freedom for which the Sidama nation has yearned.
In 2002, our heart bled with you when the late dictator, Meles Zenawi, unleashed his local surrogate on you who indiscriminately mowed you down with machine guns at Loqe. In July 2019, our heart bled with you when government forces mowed you down simply to deny you what you earned today. Your peaceful resistance, endurance and finally your success is an exemplary model for other peoples in Ethiopia who struggle to freely exercise the rights granted to them by the constitution but denied by the very government that claims to protect its people. At this moment of your freedom, the A4O is thankful for all those who have paid heavy sacrifice and is proud to stand with all those who have supported the struggle of Sidama nation.
As Sidama state is entering into the first years of National Self-Rule, we are aware that the new nation will be confronted with the daunting problems of painful political oppression and economic exploitation, healing of people traumatized by conflict, reconstructing a battered infrastructure, restoring its economy, ensuring respect for human rights and the rule of law and improving the people’s standard of living. While the new Regional State of Sidama will have to face enormous challenges as it seeks to find its place as a free nation, it is also imperative that the people of Sidama who struggled for freedom and equality should not be denied the historic opportunity to start a new chapter in their nation’s history, marked by peace with justice. It is our hope that the leaders and people of Sidama will make every effort to ensure peace and stability in the new era.
Advocacy for Oromia is aware that the continuing role of the camaraderie movement is to accompany the people of Sidama in solidarity as they take up the many challenges and tasks of nation-building. It is also our sincere hope that the Sidama nation, with the support of the regional and international community, will take immediate steps to resolve the outstanding issues and to lay the foundation for a viable Sidama Regional state at peace.
Please accept our very best wishes for the bright and peaceful future of your state and nation.
Yours sincerely,
Dabessa Gemelal
Director
Advocacy for Oromia
Advocacy for Oromia 