The current situation in Ethiopia in general and in Oromia in particular is at an alarming stage. Unless intervened promptly, Ethiopia as a state will collapse and the human right crisis will be out of control. This will also have a chilling impact for the horn of Africa as a whole.

Noticing the impending crisis, Her Excellency, Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, the Chairwoman of the African Union Commission, has recently called upon the Ethiopian government to engage in a serious dialogue with the protesters (http://www.au.int/en/pressreleases/31333/au-calls- restraint-encourages-dialogue- followingprotests-ethiopia). Unfortunately, I do not expect a different response from the Ethiopian government than what their response was to the UNHRC. It is, therefore, for this reason that I ask the UN, as a responsible international body, to promptly intervene to save lives in Ethiopia.

Sincerely,

Daawud Ibsaa

Chairman, Oromo liberation Front National Council

Source: OLF asks the UN to promptly intervene to save lives in Ethiopia.

It is our strong belief that beyond creating further confusion among the Oromo people, the Atlanta convention will do little to help address the problem facing Oromia and millions of the Oromo people. A novel and timely effort would have been to work on mobilizing resources in support of our people who are doing the real fighting on the ground.

With or without convention, there is no doubt that the gallant Oromo people will defeat the ruthless enemy and free themselves from a century old yoke of subjugation and exploitation.One needs to remember, however, that history will never forget and forgive. It is not too late for all of us to do the right thing and rewrite our personal history.

Source: Questioning the Motives of the Atlanta Leadership Convention

The ancient Oromo nation is being reborn in our time in the womb of the historic Oromo Protests. A new generation of Oromo has risen with unprecedented heroism affirming the unity of the nation and in defense of Oromo national pride, heritage and civilization. The Oromo people have clearly expressed their demands for popular sovereignty, democratic order, peace and respect for human dignity.

Source: GUMII OROMO: CONVENING AN OROMO NATIONAL CONVENTION IN DIASPORA

By Yaadasaa Badhaasaa Kutuu*

Folks it’s clear the oppression and suffering of our people back in Oromia has completely changed its phase from from the traditional one by one extrajudicial killings to a complete ethnic cleansing phase. We have seen and always lived with low scale killings here and there under this dictatorship regime. But now it’s different it’s entirely different phase, the game is transformed in to an Ethnic cleansing on general Oromo and particularly the youth who are at the risk of extermination.

The amount of energy and initiation to look for solution has to match the level of danger we are in as a nation.Tough moments always call for tougher measures. Albert Anstien said, “You can’t expect different result, by doing the same thing over and over and over again.”  “Badiisa hamaa keessa jira, walgahii fi TV fi radio irraa bookkisuu qofaan Ajjeechaa Hamaa fi sukkanneessaa Tigreen Oromo irraan gahaa jirtu dhaabu hin dandeenyu.” Let stop fake and superficial solutions and start looking for real answers. Adios!

Source: Tough moments always call for tougher measures

(Advocacy for Oromia, 7 November 2016) On the 6th of November 2016, Oromia Support Group Australia, Advocacy for Oromia and other refugee communities met with the UN Special Rapporteur for the Human Rights of Migrants.

The aim of the meeting was to raise concerns and suggestions on Australia’s refugee policies at Refugee Council of Australia.

The Special Rapporteur is the head UN individual who is responsible for investigating, monitoring and advocating for specific human rights problems for migrants (including refugees and asylum seekers).

Oromia Support Group Australia, Advocacy for Oromia and other refugee communities met with the UN Special Rapporteur for the Human Rights of Migrants, Photo Credit-Refugee Council of Australia (RCOA)

(A4O, 5 November 2016) What started as a holiday celebration for Ethiopia’s Oromo people turned into a deadly protest as demonstrators tried to flee police firing tear gas and warning shots into the crowd.

It triggered a stamped that killed dozens.

https://youtu.be/tnDrylL0YIs

(Advocacy4Oromia, 4 November 2016) Until recently, Ethiopia has been hailed as an African success story. After a decade of strong economic growth, the country has begun to shed its image as a famine-struck wasteland.

But repression by Ethiopia’s authoritarian government has sparked demonstrations that have led to the deaths of hundreds of protesters this year.

The movement gained worldwide attention at the Rio Olympics when the country’s silver medal-winning marathon runner Feyisa Lilesa crossed his wrists above his head at the finish line in a symbol of the protest movement.

On this edition of Global Journalist, we explore the dangerous ethnic tensions fueling the unrest and the government’s effort to silence its critics after declaring a state of emergency.

Joining the program:

*Tsedale Lemma, editor of the Addis Standard magazine, an Ethiopian magazine forced to stop publication in October

*William Davison, Ethiopia correspondent for Bloomberg News

*Birhanu Lenjiso, an Oromo rights activist and former lecturer at Ambo University in Ethiopia

*Felix Horne, a senior researcher on Ethiopia and Eritrea for Human Rights Watch

(A4O, 31 October 2016)-A solidarity campaign calling on the Ethiopian Government to step down in light of the second wave of protests that began in November 2015, now a movement that has engulfed most of Ethiopia.

The Oromo people have been leading this call for national reform and as a result, have been met by unimaginable state sanctioned violence. In joining the movement, Amhara regions and Southern Nations have also been subject to extreme violence by Ethiopian security forces. Now a full blown revolution that will only end when the Ethiopian Government is no longer in power, we stand with the people in their call to make this a reality.

The Ethiopian government needs to #StepDown. We will release one video a week for four weeks, each video telling a specific story from the revolution, each story giving you clear insight into why it is time for the Ethiopian Government to #StepDown. Week one, we bring you the story of the people of Konso.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9U0WkL5ROME

Bishoftu, Oromia, October 2.

By RYAN DE LAUREAL

(Monday, October 24, 2016)-The struggles of Ethiopians protesting repression and government-sponsored development programs have gone virtually unreported over the past year — and so has the murder of hundreds of people by the state for taking part in the resistance.

The struggles are centred among the Oromo people — the largest ethnic group in Ethiopia, but who have suffered marginalisation and oppression.

Bloomberg reported on October 3 that at least 100 people were killed when security forces used tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse a crowd at a cultural festival in Oromia, causing a stampede.

Source: Oromia:Popular resistance takes on corporate destruction and repression

Statement of the Central Leadership of Oromian Youth Movement (a.k.a. Qeerroo Bilisummaa)

(A4O, 12 October 2016) Our freedom depends on the totality of the contributions we all make for the struggle.

The end of the existence the TPLF in Finfinne (Addis Ababa) is not far. Qeerroo Bilisummaa would like to affirm that it will intensify the struggle until our people gain their freedom.

Source: Declaring ‘State of Emergency’ will Only Facilitate the Demise of the Minority TPLF Regime in Ethiopia