Author Archives: advocacy4oromia

Oromos Residing in Australia Delighted in Celebrating Irrecha at Home

Oct 2

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(Addis Ababa  October 01/10/2018) Oromo members of the diaspora community in Australia have expressed their delight in taking part at the Irreecha festival held yesterday after many years.

The diasporas, who have been living abroad from 10-25 years abroad, said it is a blessing to celebrate the festival with fellow countrymen.

Among them, Ejeta Uma said he has been living in Australia for 25 years and could not visit the country due to fear of political persecution by the government.

Following the recent call of Prime Minister Abiy and witnessing the progress in the political sphere, however, he came back to visit his homeland.

“I always wished to celebrate Irrecha. I had nostalgia for the traditional songs and the different cultural attire. Now, my dream is fulfilled and I am extremely happy”, Ejeta added.

According to him, the Oromo community living in Australia has come and celebrated the occasion in the presence of various ambassadors and government officials.

He noted that the community should protect their cultural festival and the government needs to expand and make the shores where Irrecha festival is celebrated safe and comfortable to the celebrants.

Gemechu Feyera is also from Australia but has been participating in the festival for 14 years.

He was fascinated by the discipline of the large gathering and the performance of the participants attending the celebration.

“Irreecha depicts our unity to the nations, nationalities and peoples of this country as well as the world”, he pointed out.

Gemechu said, “When we celebrate the occasion together, we share love and unity; and when we go outside of the country it is the only asset that we would share to others.”

 

 

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Businesses in Bishoftu Flourish for Irreecha Festival

Businesses in Bishoftu Flourish for Irreecha Festival

Oct 2

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(Bishoftu, September 29/2018) Various businesses in the town of Bishoftu have flourished as the town has engulfed with an influx of visitors across the country for the yearly Irreecha festival.

The businesses selling traditional clothes and goods as well as clothes and cap printed with different pictures is a lucrative business at this time of the year, as the town is visited by millions of people.

Today, the town is receiving its guests come from different corner of the country for the Irreecha festival to be celebrated on Sunday at Hora Harsedi.

Especially youths are walking in the town singing different traditional songs that depicts the Oromo culture.

The influx gives the opportunity for service providers and traders to be profitable.

Shimelis Nigusu is a resident of Bishoftu town and he engaged in selling of different traditional materials with his eight friends.

“We printed 2000 caps for this festival in addition to other things based on the interest of customers and the market is good and we feel very happy”, he said.

He expected to be profitable as the materials are wanted by the visitors.

Tilahun Abdisa, a taxi driver, is another resident of Bishoftu, who is busy transporting people at the eve of the celebration.

He even hopes that the demand will rise tomorrow as the people who headed to the lake where the celebration takes place.

“I am very happy to host the guests and help them show direction with the spirit of love and unity”.

He added that “I am eagerly waiting for this occasion”, many people entered to the town in the early morning and this is really productive”.

Rosemery Hotel General Manager Firew Kebede on his part said the Irreecha festival is bringing additional market for them.

“We are preparing for the festival in special way to host our guests and the overall condition is very interesting’, he said, adding all the hotel rooms are already occupied.

The General Manager hopes that the festival will be peaceful and colorful.

Some 1020 youth drawn from the entire Oromia regional state are working to ensure peace and stability at the festival.

Coordinator of the youth Lemma Gemechu said that the youth will be engaged in ensuring peaceful movement of celebrants in collaboration with the police as the town will host millions of people tomorrow.

Last year, some 400 organized youth had played key role in ensuring peaceful movement of the people in areas where the event was took place.

The Irreecha Birraa, one of the intangible heritages of the country, Thanksgiving Day of the Oromo, is going to be celebrated in the presence of a large gathering by Lake Hora-Harsadi in Bishoftu on Sunday.

Irreecha, a thanksgiving festival of the Oromo people, celebrated every year at this time of the year at Hora Harsedi, a lake in the town of Bishoftu

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Irreecha Gateway to Happiness, Bright Days for Oromos: Historians

Irreecha Gateway to Happiness, Bright Days for Oromos: Historians

Oct 2

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(Addis Ababa  September 28/2018) The Irrecha festival that takes place at the end of this month is a “gateway to happiness and bright days for the Oromo”, according to historians.  For the Oromo, Irrecha is a thanksgiving day to Waaqa (God) for ending the rainy season and ushering in the brighter and sunny days.

In an exclusive interview with ENA, the history professor Tessema Ta’a of Addis Ababa University said Irrecha festival is the part and parcel of the Geda system.

According to him, “the Irrecha ceremony takes place when the rainy season subsides and the sky is clear. The people thank God for helping them come out of the dark rainy season.” 

When the rains go, the rivers subside and allow people to cross and meet one another. So they greet one another and express their joy and happiness, the professor elaborated.

Professor Tessema noted that “Irrecha is one of the meeting places where the elders, the youth and children meet to express their happiness and thank God.

“I think this practice and principle of Irrecha associated with the Geda system has to be registered as a strong cultural heritage of the Oromo by UNESCO”, he underlined.

“Cultural heritages are documented and registered by UNESCO for posterity and the benefit of human kind,” the professor said, adding that “all of us to have work towards that and encourage the youth to know the indigenous system.”

“If they know their indigenous system they would understand the working system of the modern world very easily. They can easily transmit it.  So, I think one has to know from where he has come? And where he is? And where he will be going?”, the historian expounded.

Professor Tessema pointed out that “Irrecha is not political. It is a time to seek social harmony, peaceful understanding, and giving thanks to Waaqa; and that has to be extremely peaceful and free from harassment.”

Speaking about the importance of Geda system to which Irrecha belongs, the professor noted that it has to be promoted as it is a world heritage in the first place.

“Geda is a compressive system,” Professor Tessema said, adding that the government has to understand that it is one of the most important elements in peace making and conflict resolution.

The historical and cultural aspects of Geda system are important for unity, integrity, and tolerance, and accommodate other members of humanity other than Oromos.

Author and Oromo historian Dirribi Demmise said Irrecha has value among Oromo communities in bringing unity, solidarity and reconciliation.

“Before they go to the rivers, they reconcile and make peace. It is a day of happiness among the Oromo communities. It is a day of peace and reconciliation with nature, God and the people, too” he stressed.

Furthermore, it also create opportunity to pray to God to make the year productive, children and cattle healthy, and people become prosperous and lead long life.

Dirribi said “Irrecha festival is where Oromos gather to sing, thank God with no gender and age difference. Everybody has equal right and respect to enjoy the unity.”

Describing the inscription of the Geda system as intangible cultural heritage a great opportunity in promoting the Irrecha, he said “I hope Irrecha festival will also be recognized by UNESCO within a short period of time.”

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Oromia: Irreechaa, a Festival That Promotes Unity and Peace, is undertaking in Bishoftu.

Oromia: Irreechaa, a Festival That Promotes Unity and Peace, is undertaking in Bishoftu.

Sep 30

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(30 September 2018) Irreechaa, one of the intangible heritages of the Oromo nation, is colorfully happening in the presence of a large gathering by Lake Hora-Arsedi in Bishoftu town right no.

On this day (normally falls at the end of September or beginning of October), many Oromos come to the river or the sea or the lake with an outlet that has since long been chosen to be the place for such thanksgiving celebration.

Irreechaa comes on the following of Meskel, which comes in tandem with New year. September proves a month where cultural and religious festivals are celebrated one after the other. Hence Irreechaa is one of the jewels in the crown of September.

In the traditional religion of the Oromos, the spirit is the power through which Waqaa (The Almighty God) governs all over the world. Thus, Oromos believe that every creation of Waqaa has its own spirit.

Twice a year

Traditionally, the Oromo practise Irreechaa ritual as a thanksgiving celebration twice a year,on autumn and spring, to praise God for peace, health, fertility and abundance giving regards to people, livestock, harvest and the entire Oromo land.

Irreecha is celebrated as a sign of reciprocating God in a form of providing praise for what they got in the past. It is also a forum of prayer for the future. In such rituals, the Oromo gather in places with symbolic meanings, such as hilltops, riversides and shades of big sacred trees. Irreechaa is celebrated on Sunday that comes following Maskal, the finding of the True Cross. Irreechaa is one of the intangible heritages of the Oromo people. It is an open air festival where millions gather to thank “Waaqa “or God.

Oromo National event

Irreecha is one of the most colourful and beautiful Oromo National Cultural event that has been celebrated throughout Oromia. At State level Irreechaa is celebrated in Bishoftu Town in Oromia at Lake Hora Arsedi.

It is important to note the Oromos celebrate the Irreecha irrespective of their religious backgrounds. Whether they are Waaqeffataa, Christians or Muslims they participate in the festival.
On the festival Community leaders and Aba Gada’s praise God for the blessed transition from the rainy season which is normally considered gloomy to the bright and colorful season autumn. The costumes the Oromos put on in different designs lend color to the vibe of the festival. This is one of the things that make the ceremony worth attending.

Most of all, they believe that this spirit (through which Waqaa is supposed to govern all over its creature) wallows over the sea and the great rivers of our world. And also, they do believe that the peak of the mountain is holly in nature, and that it serves as a host to the spirit of Waqaa.

Thus, the Oromos usually go to the river or to the mountain during the time of their worshiping rituals, or during Irreessaa celebration. The celebration is an indigenous Oromo knowledge which has been practiced for centuries now.

The winter, rainy season

The Oromo People consider the winter rainy season of June to September as the time of difficulty. The heavy rain brings with it lots of things like swelling rivers and floods that may drown people, cattle, crop, and flood homes. Also, family relationship will severe during winter rain as they can’t visit each other because of swelling rivers.

In addition, winter time could be a time of hunger for some because of the fact that previous harvest collected in January is running short and new harvest is not ripe yet. Because of this, some families may endure food shortages during the winter. In Birraa (Spring in Oromo land), this shortage ends as many food crops especially maize is ripe and families can eat their fill. Other crops like potato, barley, etc. will also be ripe in Birraa. Some disease types like malaria also break out during rainy winter time. Because of this, the Oromos see winter as a difficult season. It does not mean the Oromo People hate rain or winter season at all. Even when there is shortage of rain, they pray to Waaqa (God) for rain.

The Oromo People celebrate Irreecha not only to thank Waaqa (God) but also to welcome the new season of plentiful harvests after the dark and rainy winter season associated with nature and creature. On Irreecha festivals, friends, family, and relatives gather together and celebrate with joy and happiness. Irreecha festivals bring people closer to each other and make social bonds.

Moreover, the Oromo People celebrate this auspicious event to mark the end of rainy season, known as Ganna, was established by Oromo forefathers, in the time of Gadaa Melbaa in Mormor, Oromia. The auspicious day on which this last Mormor Day of Gadaa Melbaa – the Dark Time of starvation and hunger- was established on the Sunday of last week of September or the Sunday of the 1st week of October according to the Gadaa lunar calendar has been designated as National Thanksgiving Day by modern-day Oromo People.

In Waqeffannaa religion thanksgiving-Irreecha, the Qaalluus (spiritual leaders) and the Abbaa Malkaas (lineal chiefs of the areas) are at the top hierarchies. In the Qaallu religio-ethics, the Qaalluus give religious instructions and directives of the where-about and the time of the implementation of the rituals.

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Ethiopia & the Oromo Liberation Front Reach Agreement

Ethiopia & the Oromo Liberation Front Reach Agreement

Aug 7

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(A4O, 7 August 2018) Ethiopia & the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) have signed a Reconciliation Agreement today in Asmara.

According to Oromo Liberation Voice, the agreement reached between President of the Oromia Regional state, Lemma Mergerssa & OLF Chairman, Dawd Ibsa.

The agreement reached provides for termination of hostilities in the country.

In addition to that it provides for the OLF to conduct its political activities in Ethiopia through peaceful means.

The two sides also agreed to establish a Joint Committee to implement the agreement.

The meeting was also attended by Foreign Minister Workneh Gebeyehu.

The Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) was established in 1973 by Oromo nationalists to lead the national liberation struggle of the Oromo people against the Abyssinian colonial rule.

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The culture: go forward with “Ilaa fi Ilaamee” (dialogue) for resolutions

The culture: go forward with “Ilaa fi Ilaamee” (dialogue) for resolutions

Jul 31

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Oromo, at home and abroad please get organized; let those claiming to have been organized also get stronger. For how long will you live grumbling or kneel and beg to be noticed? Get up on your knees, raise your head and assert your rights as you did four years ago. This time has been called transitional but where it transits it is not clear. All oppressors’ tricks seem to be exhausted but no one knows this time with what they might come out to save the empire? Heating up war of words is heard between Amaaraa and Tigree.

From speeches of leaders, it seems the empire’s administration is inclining towards Amaaraa. Because Oromo entered the palace power did not go for Oromiyaa but for Ethiopia. Persons who are in power in Ethiopia and Oromiyaa are members of EPRDF. For that reason, they are fanning Ethiopianism; that means Oromiyaa colonial status is still in their minds. When they say Ethiopia, Ethiopia it is as if they lost and found. Oromiyaa’s independence has been forgotten as dead. In order for past dangers not to occur again we have to remind about it to those who are wavering. And point out directions as to what to do next, for untimely and misplaced criticisms against each other or the enemy alone cannot be a solution. If whatever we say to each other or others has no concrete benefit why would we badmouth and humiliate ourselves? When a beast can no more devour after its strong canine teeth had fallen and strong new one comes and improves on its methods and gnaw not only the flesh but also the bones, what is their difference? If not, the size it chomps at, being eaten means being eaten? Unless we see similarities of what Habashaa of Ankobar and that of Adwa did to us, we could make a mistake of looking for a different panacea.

It is good to develop the stamina to say for all, “Stop your domination and plundering just now”. Tigree and Amaaraa had lived waging power struggle among themselves at least from the time they destroyed Aksum. Occupying us together reconciled them, for a part starting to lose us made them to quarrel. Of what concern is it for an Oromo person to interfere in their wars before he/she stands on own feet and build strong rear? How can one choose between masters when one can liberate oneself? Had our crooks not helped them in the past they could not have been able to devour us alone. Bragging by changes brought by Oromoo Qeerroo and Qeerrantii they still are warming up to destroy Tigree and reoccupy Oromiyaa with Oromo blood. Oromo is withdrawing after opening for them Minilik’s palace which the Tigree closed on them. Because they did that they were branded as “Zaranyaa” (racist?) What made them to be called Zaranyaa is their asserting that what is ours is ours and what is yours is yours, let us know that and respect for each other.

Oromo in their history had ever discriminated others for their blood line for they think as human beings. It is not only in today’s history that those they trusted turned their backs on Oromo. The gratitude for what Qeerroo /Qeerrantii contributed is denial of rescuing when they were slain in Cinaaksan, Mooyaalee, Areeroo, Wanbara, Goobba, Baatii etc.

Freedom cannot be achieved without organizing oneself. It was because you were not organized that Nafxanyaa remnants stomped on you at DC. You were not noticed though present. Minnesota made history because they were organized. Little Oromiyaa exposed what great Oromiyaa looks like. So far Oromo survived destruction by Ethiopian governments by their relentless struggle. There is no doubt in the minds of the revolutionary that they will again survive by their own efforts and regain their sovereign right. If possible, Oromo will go forward with “Ilaa fi Ilaamee” (dialogue) for resolutions; that is their culture. If that fails, to fend off the enemy with any means available is a birth right. Get organized; unless organized you will remain lamenting.

Oromiyaan haa jiraattu!

Ibsa Guutama

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A pregnant woman was shot and killed in Dambi Dollo

Jul 24

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(A4O, July 24, 2018) A pregnant woman was shot and killed by OPDO police forces in Dambi Dolo, south west Oromia.

According to sources, a pregnant mother, Birhane Mamo, who was heading to Dembi Dollo hospital for delivery was killed by armed policemen Yesterday.

Berhane Mamo was shot and killed by OPDO police forces in Dambi Dolo, south west Oromia.

A pregnant mother in labor and four members of her family including her husband were severely injured and hospitalized.

The pregnant mother was getting transported to hospital for delivery, bullets showered on her from Oromiya Special Force without any warning. She died on the scene. Three others in the car were seriously wounded.

The Oromia regional government hasn’t issued any official statement on this killing.

However, our sources indicated that three members of security forces who were on patrol during the killing of Berhane Mamo in Dembi Dollo, were arrested this afternoon: security forces from the #Oromia regional state, the Federal police &, the national defense force are paroling the area.

Dambi Dollo communication officer has also published the information it gathered from eye witnesses. Accordingly, the women was  killed by Oromia Special Force while getting transported to hospital for delivery.

Dembi Dollo is a capital city of Qellem Wollega Zone, mostly known for its gold and busy cash-crop business including coffee Arabica. It was relatively peaceful and calm before the government sent heavily armed soldiers and special police forces last month in a move to curb the recent progress of Oromo Liberation Army in the area.

Nevertheless, Oromo Liberation Front has recently announced that it has temporarily ceased fire in order to sit down for peace deal with the government. It is unclear why the government still wanted to settle armed soldiers in a populated civilians city.

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WAL’AANSA MATAA

WAL’AANSA MATAA

Jul 24

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Fayyaa Mataa

Mataan keenya fayyaa ta’uun karaa hedduu gaarii dha. Yeroo hedduu garuu, dhimmi mataa yoo dagatamu mul’ata. Hawaasa keenya keessattis, dhimmi kun akka gaariitti hubatamaa hin jiru..

Haata’uutii, waa’een fayyaa mataa waa hundaaf murteessaa dha. Namni mataan isaa fayyaa hin qabne, fayyaa guutuu hin qabaatu. Mataan keenya waan hojjannu mara qajeelcha. Kana waan ta’eef, yoo yeroo kamiyyuu mataa keenyaaf xiyyeeffannoo kennuun barbaachisaa dha.

Ribuu Magariisa: Mallattoo Hubannoo Fayyaa Mataa ti.

Addunyaa irratti dhimmi Fayyaa Mataa akkaan hubannoo argachaa jira. Keessayyuu, dhimmi Dhibee Mataa waan hedduun waan walqabatuuf yeroon wal’aansa argachuun barbaachisaa dha. Kun bakka hedduutti himamaa fi beeksifamaa jira. Addunyaa irratti mallattoon hubannoo dhibee mataa ittiin dhaadgessan “Ribuu Magariisa”.

Ribuun Magariisaa Maal?

Ribuun Magariisaa dhimma fayyaa mataa hawaasa ittiin bariisuuf uumame. Bara durriitti mallattoon “Magariisaa” kun biyyoota garii keessatti akka mallattoo maraatummaatti fudhatama ture. Bara ammaa garuu mallattoon kun waa’ee fayyaa mataa ibsuuf oolaa jira. Mallattoon kunis bakka halletti kan ibsaa jiru, barbaachisummaa xiyyeeffannoo waa’ee fayyaa mataa ti. Kanuma waliin, namoota dhibee fayyaa mataa tajaajiluu fi ofitti qabuun akka barbaachisu barsiisa. Nama mataan dhukkubu, ofirraa fageessuun yookaan hawaasa keessaa baasuun dhibee san darna itti hammeessa. Gochaan akkasii immoo safuu namummaa miti.

Hawaasa akka Oromoo rakkoolee hedduu walxaxaa keessa jiraniif dhimmi Fayyaa Mataa kun immoo daran jabaa dha. Ummanni keenya rakkoo gabrummaa, waraana, hidhaa, shorokaa, hiyyummaa fi gadaddoo keessatti argama. Rakkooleen kunneen fayyaa waliigalaa irratti dhiibbaa guddaa qabaatu; mataan keenyas akak fayyaa hina rganne godhu. Kanaaf, dhimma Fayyaa Mataa irratti beekumsa, hubannoo fi muuxannoo jiru waliif qooduun hedduu barbaachisaa ta’a. Dhimmi Fayyaa Mataa kan callisamee bira darbamuu miti. Yeroo kamiyyuu kan iddoon gudda akennnamuufii qabuu dha.

Mataa keenay fayyaa gochuuf, hojiin nu eeggatu hedduu dha. Kan duraa garuu, mataan keenya akka wal’aansa barbaadu hubannoo qabaachuu dha. Yeroo kamiyyuu waanti wal’aansa hina rganne, dhibamaa adeema. Dhibeen gaafa hube immoo fayyisuun rakkisaa dha. Kanaaf, waa hunda dura, Mataa keenya wal’aanuu aadeffachuun barbaachisaa dha.

Wal’aansa Mataa

Dura akak beeknutti nama cabe yookaan miidhame qofaa wal’aanu. Garuu, kan hin cabnes, kan hin dhibamnes wal’aanuun, akka dhibeef hin saaxilamne godha.

Mataa keenyas akka addaddaatti wal’aanuu dandeenya. Inni duraa mataan keenya akka wal’aansa barbaadu hubachuu dha.Qabxiileena rmaan gadii kun mala ittiin mataa keenya wal’aanuu dandeenyuu dha.

  1. Hirriba gaarii argachuu
  2. Nyaata gaarii nyaachuu
  3. Sochii qaamaa gochuu
  4. Waan nu gammachiisu hojjachuu fi gochuu
  5. Namoota nagaa fi gaarumama nuuf kennan waliin hariiroo qabaachuu
  6. Ogeessa fayyaa keenya bira deemnee waa’ee fayyaa mataa keenyaa ilaalamuu
  7. Waan nu yaaddeessu nama nu gargagarutti dhihaannee waliin maryachuun hedduu nu gargaara.

Mataa keenya wal’aanuun wana guyyaa tokko jalqabamee dhiifamuu miti; yeroo mara aadeffatamuu qaba. Yeroo dhibamne qofaa wal’aansa fayyaa deemuu hin qabnu; yeroo fayyaa qabnus, mataa keenya kunuunsuuf dhibaahuu hin qabnu. Waa’ee fayyaa mataa irratti hubannoo qabnu guddifachuun barbaachisaa dha; akkuma jiruu fi jireenya keenya biroof tattaffannu fayyaa mataa keenyaafis xiyyeeffannoo kennuun barbaachisaa dha.

Fayyaan Mataa Murteessaa dha!!

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Oromo Liberation Front announces temporary Declaration of Cease fire

Jul 12

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(Advocacy4Oromia, 12 July 2018) Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) announces temporary Declaration of Unilateral Cease fire.

In a statement the party issued it says the discussion between OLF and PM of Ethiopia, is ‘one step forward to resolve the existing political problem.’

‘‘Tokening the seriousness of this affair in to consideration the Oromo Liberation Front has declared a unilateral cease fire in order to accelerate the initiated peace talk to a successful conclusion. We hope this temporary declaration of cease fire will take us to the final declaration of bilateral cessation of hostilities once for all and conclusion of the conflict.

Therefore, the Oromo Liberation Front executive committee instruct the Oromo Liberation Army, operating all over Oromia, to implement the temporary declaration of this cease fire.’’

Here below is the statement issues by OLF

Oromo Liberation Front’s Temporary Declaration of Unilateral Cease Fire

It is to be recalled that the Oromo Liberation Front had for years repeatedly called for a peaceful and negotiated settlement of political problems with Ethiopian government. We have also recently and repeatedly reiterating this call for peace talk. However, the OLF’s call for peace did not get proper response for a long period of time.

We believe that the recently Oromo Liberation Front higher delegation led by OLF Chairman meeting with the Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Dr Abiyi Ahmed is one step forward to resolve the existing political problem. The OLF also well aware that all peace loving people and governments wish the commencement of peace talk between the OLF and the Ethiopian government.

Tokening the seriousness of this affair in to consideration the Oromo Liberation Front has declared a unilateral cease fire in order to accelerate the initiated peace talk to a successful conclusion. We hope this temporary declaration of cease fire will take us to the final declaration of bilateral cessation of hostilities once for all and conclusion of the conflict.

Therefore, the Oromo Liberation Front executive committee instruct the Oromo Liberation Army, operating all over Oromia, to implement the temporary declaration of this cease fire.

Victory to the Oromo People!
July 12, 2018
Oromo Liberation Front

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Game Over: The End of Ethiopia’s TPLF Regime

Jun 28

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The explosive device delivered this morning in a Police car (Numberplate: ET Police0384) in Finfinne (Addis Ababa), during a public rally in support of the Ethiopian Prime-Minister with several fatalities and a yet unknown number of many people injured, shows that the new moves might not be taken lightly by the die-hards of the old regime without attempts to disrupt the peace. But is all smells like a false-flag.

By Thomas C. Mountain (*) – 23. June 2018

Game Over! The Tigray People’s Liberation Front which has ruled
Ethiopia since 1991 has been ousted from power in Ethiopia, replaced
by a new breed of leadership who have quickly moved to reassure the
people that a real change is in the making.

This past Wednesday, June 20, was a busy day for the new Prime
Minister Abiye, an ethnic Oromo, Ethiopia’s largest nationality,
travelling to the site of the latest ethnic massacre and addressing the
leadership of the Gurage community calling on them to end the ethnic
violence and bring peace to their land by dialogue and mediation. This
was all broadcast live for all Ethiopians, both at home and abroad, to
see via satellite television and warmly received by those to whom he
directly spoke.

Next door, here in Eritrea we sat glued to our TVs late into the
night watching Ethiopian television broadcast the address our
President Issias Aferwerki had made early that morning during our
annual Martyrs Day commemoration where he held out an olive branch of
peace to our neighbours in Ethiopia, repeated over and over. The
Ethiopian P.M. then went live and thanked the Eritrean President and
promised a future of peace and prosperity in brotherly respect. And he
did it in Tigrinya, the de facto national language of Eritrea.

We could only pinch ourselves in disbelief, to have our long time
enemies in Ethiopia suddenly change so positively, I mean EVERYTHING
the Ethiopian P.M. has been saying could not be more true.

The Ethiopian P.M. has gone on TV and described his governments past
actions, and he acknowledges he was a part of this, as “terrorist”
regarding its treatment of its political prisoners. He has addressed
the T.P.L.F regimes past policy of divide and rule via instigation of
ethnic bloodshed and spoke to what needs to be done to heal divisions
and move forward.

Here in Eritrea what we are hearing is music to our ears for the
Ethiopian P.M. is saying just what our President Issias Aferwerki has
been saying for two decades now, that we shouldn’t be fighting,
instead uniting, to build a more humane and just society absent of
foreign intervention.

If this new Ethiopian leader manages to stay alive, there is hope for
Ethiopia, that the nationalities, starting with the Oromo’s, the
largest, who have been calling for independence, will reconsider their
quest for separation and continue as one country.

While one must respect the right to self determination reality is that
the “Prison House of Nations” that has been Ethiopia up to now is best
transformed into a modern, peoples democracy rather than torn asunder
and left to fend for themselves as small, independent countries. This
new P.M. could be the one to give them hope and allow a violent
upheaval to be avoided.

The Horn of Africa, the Horn of Hunger, the Horn of War and Famine may
be seeing the birth of a new era, where Ethiopia no longer invades its
neighbors at the behest of the USA. Where Ethiopians are able to leave
behind their lives of hunger and thirst, of being cold, sick and
illiterate and start to feed, clothe, house, medicate and educate its
people, and turn a perpetual famine victim into a modern, prosperous
land.

For us here in Eritrea after 20 years of war followed by no war, no
peace, we have hardened ourselves to not seeing a light at the end of
the tunnel. This new leadership in Ethiopia is almost to much to
believe, its almost like a dream to us still. Could we really live as
brothers and sisters with our huge neighbour to our south?

Just as with North Korea the Trump Regime has broken with decades of
past policy towards the the Horn of Africa and allowed common sense
and experience to hold sway. It may be just pragmatism, but those
veteran diplomats in the US State Department know they have little
choice in the matter, any further support for the TPLF regime would
have been counter-productive and damage American credibility let alone
result in the disintegration of Ethiopia, possibly followed by a South
Sudan scenario.

One thing is for sure, and Eritrean President Issias Aferworki said it
with glee when he spoke at our Martyrs Day commemoration, “Game Over!”
for the T.P.L.F regime, shocking all in attendance into spontaneous
applause. What we have only dreamed about is now reality here in the
Horn of Africa, and if the seasonal rains arrive this year and another
drought is averted, then we can truly be blessed with
“selam(peace) and rain for the Horn of Africa”.

(*) Thomas C. Mountain is an independent journalist and historian in
Eritrea, living and reporting from here since 2006. See
thomascmountain on Facebook or best reach him at thomascmountain at g
mail dot com

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