Abiy Ahmed forces continue Killing Oromo; they are executing four oromo's in Ambo, two in Guji, Oromia on suspicion of supporting OLA/Oromo Liberation Army/

 

Residents in Ambo district in West Shoa zone of the Oromia state said government forces shot dead four people of one family, and injured two others accusing them of supporting and feeding “Shane” a name the regime officials use to refer to the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA).

The killing took place on 19 June in the residence of the dead in Ganji Gorore village after soldiers wearing Ethiopian army uniform broke into the house at dawn, an eye witness told.

The witness who asked to be anonymous for safety reasons listed; Hirpha Idosa (father), Kisa Hirpha and Desu Hirpha (sons), and Likasa Lelisa (family member) to be the names of those killed. Kabeta Idosa and Dejene Geda are said to be those who were shot but survived injuries.

15 other local villagers including family members of the deceased have been taken to custody according to the witness.

Another resident of the Ganji Gorore village who witnessed said, the soldiers also killed two oxen and six cows and destroyed properties belonging to the grieving family. He added that killing left the entire villagers in shock.

One day earlier, on 18 June, two high school students were allegedly executed by government forces in Dawa town of Malka Soda district of West Guji zone in Southern Oromia, witnesses told.

The two students Sugessa Boko (nineth grader) and Quxala Boru (eighth grader) were both shot in the head in front of many people leaving from churches around noon on Sunday, a day after they were arrested accused of supporting the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) according to an anonymous eyewitness.

Two other witnesses told that the two students were killed by members of the Ethiopian army after they were transported to a place called ‘Dildila Dawa’ from a prison where they spent the night being tortured.

According to the witnesses the zone has been heavily militarized following mass demonstrations since early March after the regional council publicized a decision to incorporate Negelle town and three districts from Guji into a newly established “East Borana zone’ on 27 February 2023.

The protests continued for several months resulting in killings and mass arrests as the discussion between government and community representatives to resolve the issue peacefully reached a stalemate.

Both the Ambo, and Guji killings were corroborated by US based advocacy group, Oromo Legacy Leadership and Advocacy Association (OLLA) who in a report titled “Between a rock and a hard place”, released in May highlighted severe rights violations of civilians amidst armed conflict in  Oromia  particularly in the two Guji zones over the past five years.

The report shares a partial list of victims of extrajudicial executions, including seven prisoners including Galma Utura, Dhadacha Mi’essa, and Abdulahi Golu, who were all removed from the prison in Raro, Goro Dola district on 28 September 2019 as confirmed by Amnesty International.

Over the course of the war in Oromia that is going on for five years, there was  reported several incidents of executions by government forces on the basis of accusations of supporting the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA)

THE 50 JUBILEE ANNIVERSARY OF THE FOUNDATION OF THE OROMO LIBERATION FRONT

 THE 50TH JUBILEE ANNIVERSARY OF THE FOUNDATION OF THE OROMO LIBERATION FRONT

Commemorate Our Martyrs, Celebrate Our Achievements, Set Our Future Directions

The Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) is a political right-based liberation front in the sense that it is fighting for the collective and individual rights of the Oromo people and citizens of Oromia. Its unwavering and ever shining political objective is to ensure, protect and defend Oromo people’s right to self-determination. OLF is demanding the universally accepted collective rights for its people. It is fighting to repossess the freedom, liberty and democracy the Oromo people lost to the Abyssinian colonizers. It is struggling to regain its people’s sovereignty and sense of nationhood and have the power to make decisions on its own matters independently without any external interference. OLF firmly believes it is only securing the right to self -determination that guarantees prevalence of freedom, justice, liberty and democracy for the Oromo people. Anything short of the right to self-determination would remain existential threat to these people.

Ethiopian Empire state did everything in its capacity to eliminate the language, culture, system of governance and livelihoods of the Oromo people for over a century if not the people. The Oromo people were enslaved like any other African countries that suffered under their colonial masters. Empire Ethiopia was built upon their enslavement. Their forefathers’ hands were chopped off; their foremothers’ breasts were cut off; both their men and women were sold like domestic animals; they were robbed off their land and hence their nation. They were dehumanized and degraded; and given derogatory name called Galla. All brutal incidences that happened to colonized African countries also happened to the Oromo people in Oromiya perhaps in the worst manner.

However, the Oromo people have fought back against the successive tyrant regimes to retrieve their social, cultural, economic and political resources, which the Ethiopian Empire tried tirelessly to eradicate. The Oromo people expressed their strong desire for nationhood soon after they were colonized by the Abyssinians in the last decades of the 19th century. The Oromo people never stopped fighting against the colonial force in various forms and ways.

More organized pan-Oromo struggle with clear political objective and vision started in 1973 with the establishment of the Oromo Liberation Front. The Empire nature of Ethiopia was gone with the downfall of Emperor Haile Selassie in 1974 by the Oromo struggle and the students’ movement under the dictum “Land to the Tillers”. Although the Empire state was gone, key characteristics of the Empire have continued to exist to the present days.

The Oromo people’s struggle led by the Oromo Liberation Front has not yet achieved its ultimate political objective. However, there are some notable victories to be celebrated in its 50th year Golden Jubilee Anniversary.

a) Oromo unity: the Oromo once again reclaimed its unity for the first time after they were divided by the colonizers along clans, geographic settlement, religious sects, etc. The OLF unequivocally fought to build Oromummaa as the core and common identity embracing all Oromo regardless of their religion, geographic settlement and other classifications. All the martyrs especially those in Shiniga have cemented their unity in a manner that no force can any more divide them ever;

b) State of Oromiya: Oromiya has been recognized as the single biggest member state to the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia both in the number of population and geographical size even though all its territorial claims have not yet been secured and settled. Oromo people and Oromiya are known to the international community today;

c) The Oromo language: Afaan Oromo is recognized as a medium of communication in schools and a working language in State of Oromiya. Newspapers, journals, stories, fictions, and various books are being published in Afaan Oromo despite the hostile political environment;

d) Oromo culture: cultural restorations have taken place to extent it looks like a revolution. Celebration of Irreechaa (the traditional thanksgiving ceremony) is now becoming the biggest anniversary in Oromiya. Attempt to retrieve the Oromo democratic governance system (Gadaa) marks some vivid achievements though a lot must be done before it becomes a well-functioning institution. Oromo cultural dresses and foods are being commercialized and widely spreading in Oromiya and beyond;

e) Oromo Arts: the Oromo music industry is fast growing. The Oromo music played very decisive role in conscientizing and mobilizing the Oromo people towards the struggle for freedom and democracy. Its immense role in demonstrating the Oromo culture is increasingly recognized by the world community. Oromo drama, theatre, film industries have begun emerging and growing though yet to be institutionalized;

f) Confidence building: majority of the new generation Oromo are called after Oromo names and confident about their being Oromo. There is massive difference between the new (Qubee) generation and previous old generations in terms of reviving own identity; and

g) International Diplomacy: despite the OLF efforts, the international community used to undermine the OLF political agenda for decades. This time, however, the OLF political agendas have received wide recognition and attention without which sustainable political stability can never be achieved in the Horn of Africa.

These victories demanded enormous sacrifices. In this long journey of 50 years struggle, the Oromo lost hundreds of thousands of heroes and heroines. Elemo Kiltu, Tadese Birru, Baro Tumsa, Magarsa Bari, Jarra Abba Gada, Badho Dachas, Gada Gemeda, Aboma Mitiku, Yigezu Benti, Muhe Abdo, Nedhi Gemeda, Gammachis Dhaabaa, Buruyso Boru, Milkessa Gada, Gutema Hawas, Nagasa Kumsa, Guutuu Caalii, Lagasa Wagi are some of the top OLF leadership who paid the ultimate sacrifice to pave the way for freedom and democracy. Tens of thousands of the Oromo sons and daughters have been tortured, dehumanized and languished in various prisons and concentration centres largely without due process of law. Similar number of persons have fled the country to African, European, North American countries and elsewhere to save their lives.

The 1980’s Shinniga massacre of OLF delegates in Ogaden was a huge milestone in reaffirming the unity of the Oromo people ever. The forceful split of Oromo people along religious doctrines was buried together with the bodies of these martyrs. The martyrs are always remembered as historical and symbols of Oromo unity in generations to come. The 1991 and 2018 OLF concessions to democratize the Empire Ethiopia ended up in vicious operations aimed at eliminating the organization. Both times, the OLF lost thousands of its armed forces and thousands of peaceful youth (Qeerroo/Qarree) campaigners, respectively. In the last 50 years, the OLF freedom fighters have never stopped fighting and hence paying ultimate sacrifices. We celebrate the OLF 50th anniversary of its foundation commemorating all the known and the unknown martyrs.

The OLF has continued to provide its leadership to ensure the aspiration of its people – the right to self-determination despite all the challenges facing the organization. As we prepare for the celebration of the anniversary, there is no peace and stability in most parts of Oromiya; fighting is continuing between the Oromo Liberation Army and the Prosperity Party Government Army; innocent people are killed; over a million people are displaced; and tens of thousands of the Oromo people are unlawfully suffering in various prisons and detention centres. Top OLF leadership and senior members, including OLF Executive Committee members Abdi Regassa and Michael Boran, have been kept in prison for three years without due process of the law. All offices of the OLF are closed by the government.

OLF has ever been resilient and invariant in the face of all these challenges and continued to play its leadership role until it ensures the Oromo rights to self-determination. As it celebrates its 50th years Anniversary, the OLF continues to:

• call on the Ethiopian government and all concerned parties behind this government to peacefully settle the war between Oromiya and Ethiopia. OLF is ready to play its role to provide ultimate political solutions to the prevalent further political crisis;

• work for the establishment of a National transitional government in Oromiya to facilitate peaceful transition to democracy and constitutional order;

• strengthen and further consolidate its partnership and cooperation with sister organizations, and all other political parties and pertinent civic organizations sharing similar political objectives;

• relate to the international communities to create massive awareness about the Oromo political situation and solicit their support for the just cause;

• organize and mobilize the youth, men and women of Oromiya to stand up for the rights, defend their political gains and fight against the continued operation and tyranny.

Victory to the Masses!

Coordinating Committee, the 50th Jubilee Anniversary of the OLF Foundation

June, 2023

Militants kill at least five, wound several people in renewed attacks in Western Oromia

 

Stop The Killing!

Armed militants described as members of the irregular Fano militia killed at least five people, injured dozens in a new attack in Amuru district of Horo Guduru Wollega zone of the Oromia regional states, residents told.

According to a resident of Agamsa town in Amuru district who asked for his name to be concealed for safety reasons, the attack on Wednesday, 07 June destroyed properties, and houses were burned and looted in the town and the surrounding rural villages.

The victims of the attack were civilian farmers, and many are fleeing the area as a result of the attack, the resident said, adding that the attackers may have wanted to evict the farmers from their farmlands.

He noted that similar attacks had displaced hundreds of farmers from the area last year. The militants traveled from Haro town in neighboring Kiremu district of East Wollega zone where they are stationed according to him. Haro is 50 kilometers away from Amuru.

Giving further insight into the attack, another resident of Agamsa town who also witnessed on conditions of anonymity for safety reasons said “farmers like Gudina Guracho, Sori  Jukar and Takle Fufa, both with their wives were killed in the attack”. Sori and Takle were both from Makanno village, in Amuru district..

More than ten civilians injured during the attack have been taken to a local hospital for treatment according to the resident.

In neighboring Kiremu district of East Wollega zone Oromia, where according to the residents, Fano militias are stationed, there are ongoing attacks, and the militants are setting ablaze farmers houses in villages like Chafe Sorma, Boqa, Mayaa Jinina, Qoqophe, Qore and Daraba.

Many residents of the area were forced to leave their homes, as a result of the attacks, and are sheltered in the churches etc, multiple residents told. The residents urged the regional government to protect the farmers from the continued attack.

In February, reported that people who were internally displaced following deadly attacks in Kiremu and Gida Ayana districts of East Wollega zone in November last year and have since been living in IDP shelters in the small Gida town were hesitant to return home citing lingering insecurity despite officials urging them otherwise.

The UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said earlier this month that the humanitarian situation in East and West Wollega zones of the Oromia  state has shown to worsen in the last few months due to continued insecurity from conflict since 2020, and about 859,000 displaced people are in need of protection and other multi-sectoral support.

The renewed attacks in Western Oromia by the Fano militant group comes amidst ongoing crackdown.

Consuming the lives of Innocent Young People in Endless Unjust War should Abate

 Consuming the lives of Innocent Young People in Endless Unjust War should Abate

OLF shall, in the most robust sense of the word, oppose the irresponsible and endless forced military conscription launched by the government of Prosperity Party.

The Ethiopian Empire, for years, has lived on the blood of youngsters and tears of mothers. The socialist regime of Mengistu Haile Mariam, throughout its cursed years of dictatorship, under its most agonizing slogan of 'All to the War Front' had consumed the hundreds and thousands of young people. Yet its final day was a demise, humiliation and disarray.

As if no lesson could be made from that brutal regime, the current Ethiopian regime is following the footstep of its predecessor. The Prosperity Party government has already decided to conscript hundreds and thousands of young people to the fire of war through forced rounding up. This week alone, 500 young men have been forcibly captured from the streets of Burrayu town and the homes of helpless citizens. The action is being intensified in Laga Tafo town and expanding to the recently established Sheger City adminstration. Poor young people would, in the coming days, also be taken from the prison houses and detention camps to the military training camps.

The last Tigray War has already sacrificed hundreds of thousands of young men and women. The war in Oromia is mowing down the lives of innocent young people. Additional preparation for another round of fights is a reckless act of irresponsibility.

Therefore, we strongly oppose this act of forced military conscription and throwing the lives of young and poor citizens into the indistinguishable flame only to safeguard one's comfort and power. The tears of mothers should stop. We believe that the priority agenda for citizens of Oromia should be to end the war on any front and engage in the establishment of the Oromia Regional National Transitional Government (ORNTG). We then, taking this opportunity, would call upon all citizens of Oromia and peace-loving national and global citizens to push for the end of war in all fronts and end suffering peoples in Ethiopa.

Victory To The Masses!

Oromo Liberation Front

June ,2023

Why resolving war in Oromia through peace talks is long overdue

 

Abiy Regime must
stop killing Oromos!

The war in Oromia, which involves the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) on one hand and the Abiy Ahmed force  and Oromia regional governments security forces on the other, has been ongoing for five years mainly within the Oromia region but affecting the neighboring Benishangul Gumuz, Gambella  regions at different times.

The Oromo Liberation Army (OLA), which the government often refers to as Shane and designated as a “terrorist organization” in May 2021 "practically not terrorist", stated in its recently published brief political manifesto that it stands and is fighting for “the freedom of the Oromo people from political exclusion, economic exploitation, and socio-cultural marginalization.”

Over the past five years, the intensity of the fighting between OLA and the Abiy Ahmed government forces showed no sign of easing, and has dramatically increased over the last two years, causing countless loss of lives, gross violation of human rights and immeasurable destruction against civilian infrastructure in the region and beyond. Despite that, however, and due partly to the complexities involved, the war received little to no attention both among domestic media and policy makers and Ethiopia’s international partners until recently.

However, soon after the conclusion of the talks, intense fighting supported with heavy weaponry resumed in several parts of the Oromia region, resulting in yet another civilian casualties.

The escalation of fighting after the first round of peace talks has tarnished the hopes of millions of people in Oromia region who endured multifaceted sufferings ranging from extrajudicial killings, arbitrary arrests, abductions and forced disappearances to several other socio-economic complications as a result of the five years war. The war has disrupted daily activities of the people and functions of the local government branches mainly in Western, Southern and Central zones of the region.

A resident of Agamsa town, in Horro Guduru Wollega zone, one of the conflict prone zones in Western Oromia, who spoke on conditions of anonymity for safety reason said interruptions of basic services such as telecom and banking services in the area over the past years due to the persistent insecurity has made the life of local residents strenuous.

The resident added that lack of transport on the road that connects Agemsa town to Addis Abeba, nearby Kombosha town, and interruption of telephone service in the area have exposed the locals to a great deal of suffering.

“There is no transport for many years now and people are facing difficulties to even mourn and bury their deceased family members as a result,” he said.

The resident also noted that the local people have become vulnerable to dire human rights violations as government forces stationed in the area often imprison and harass them, accusing them of feeding and supporting OLF/OLA.

Local farmers are not able to bring to the market the little products they could produce amidst insecurities, and what is left of confiscations remain far from market areas due to lack of transportation. This has caused the cost of living to skyrocket for the peasantry and lower income civilians, she said. Those who possess anything that is worth money are selling it whenever possible and fleeing to towns and cities, where they think safety is, she added.

A 2022 report by the UN corroborators Asebe’s assertion. Population’s access to essential services such as education, healthcare or water and sanitation has been “highly compromised because of violence and the destruction of existing infrastructure,” the UN said. Through Western Oromia alone, 426 health facilities were rendered non-functional due to looting and destruction.

In East Wollega, 144 schools were closed leaving 62,000 children out-of-school in 2022 school year. Similarly, in West Wollega, 184 schools were closed, leaving 89,000 students out of school.

Access to markets from rural areas is hindered, while woreda centers are facing shortages of essential supplies due to road blockage. Food deliveries to the affected population are intermittent and incomplete due to a combination of insecurity and budgetary/logistical challenges faced by authorities. Partners are considering ways to ensure food aid is delivered to remote locations.

However, whereas hopes for second round talks remain high among the affected people of Oromia and observers, both the Abiy Ahmed regime and the OLA said this week that there was no plan as of yet on when and if the second round talks will take place.

#PeaceIsTheOnlySolution #Freedom #Democracy #OROMIA