By Geda Moti (PhD)
I read interview article of Prof Mesfin W/M (http://www.mereja.com/amharic/512100) and article by Girma Kassa (http://www.ethiomedia.com/1016notes/7405.html) with concern of its implication on forth coming solidarity imperatives. Obviously, the ideas reflected on Amhara identity in both articles are often floating around recent publications related to the unrest in Ethiopia. I understand the right one can have to state its own identity and history as long as it may hold water without negatively impacting on others. However, at its height of claiming solidarity among stakeholders, the tendency to define the identity of Amhara as if it was not in place and is evolving consequent to TPLF’s oppressive policy raise my concern. Meanwhile, I decided to briefly state my worry in an attempt to expect plausible assertions from Amhara elites particularly who are experts in the area. Also for my appeal in case it worth remedial action
Needless to mention that persistency of Prof. Mesfin’s long standing tactic in this area (details: ) and apparently recent involvement of Girma Kassa’s calculated self-identification as composite of different blood lines and yet differing practical self assertion made me cautious even more than ever. If I think the mysterious move around true self expression is embedded in the fear of what the bad part of history of Ethiopian empire might pose on us and is aimed to save Ethiopia from disintegration by any possible means, let me ask very easy layman’s question. Who will prohibit us starting afresh unity from zero years of common history or who will dictate any one of us to deny the so called 3000 years of Ethiopia’s existence? As for me, the reply is in: as to how we understand our common past and try to shape forthcoming our common future.
Contrary to the tactical assertions that Amhara identity evolved consequent to TPLF’s oppression for short term gain, I feel the issue remained one of the most critical factors so long constrained Ethiopia from being motherland for all citizens contained in the boundary. It must be dealt candid. I believe, if the fact is not defined based on the reality on ground, it simply keep us refreshing forgone unproductive history we have had in common. Also, it is key underlying factor of forthcoming imperative part of presumed political solution. At this point of our common history, it is not the collapse of the TPLF regime appears worrisome to me but as to how we cooperate to find our optimized future.
By extension of tactical self-hide and manifest approach, promoters of hidden motto are usually seen attributing irrelevant concepts to other nations such as Oromo. The irony is that concepts insisted by persons not immediate member of the Oromo nation seem not to work for any nation including that of the promoter’s. Therefore, I am asking if the current effort to attach Amhara identity as recent resurgence in connection to the TPLF’s policy shouldn’t remind me the anachronism of our common history instead of looking forward for better common future as Ethiopian nations and nationalities.
Not only in a civilized politics but also a civilized person understands the right of other person, nation, or nationality, etc to decide on its own/common better future. For instance, if I tell someone to call me Dr. or Professor X, it is mandatory legally and tacit morally for that person to call me as per my specification. The right a person in question might have is to ask me to prove to him/her my claim to be a doctor. Otherwise he/she has no right to reject my initial as long as he/she is interested to call me and remain in harmony with me. The analogy of this ordinary typology is focusing on the fact that substantial number of members of Amhara nation were on long historically failed journey underestimating the interest of Oromo to be called as Oromo nation. To continue to relegate such quest might lead to fatal failure. I wish such interest shouldn’t fall on deaf ears!
To bring readers on board, one of the case in point is that,Oromo never called itself as clan (what they used to say as gosa) nor defined its cause at ethnic level (may be equivalent to their current nomenclature- zewuge). In spite of desperate interest for unity or popping for pseudo collaboration without practical affirmative contribution, it should be better to recognize one another/s interest and thus it would yield to desirable and acceptable solution.
In line with this, let me raise currently ongoing misleading political move around some Ethio-prefixed political fronts. Iunderstand the motto behind the recent re-classification of Oromo as moderate, fanatic or other was not keen approach. Consequently the reason for loss of interest of such Ethio-prefixed political fronts to negotiate with OLF in order to reassert long lasting and fair co-existence which might also redeem Ethiopia is embedded in this key topic: related to true self identification. What do you think such rude Oromo classification may mean even to politically layman people? Is the move toward long lasting true collaboration for common benefit or for tactical approach of short term gain, if any? Actually, it is hardly possible to expect keen and strategic collaboration with elites of people who don’t want to speak our language even after several decades of residence or born in Oromia. So, misleading query for unity only adds to worsen the fragile matter.
Therefore, the intention of boldly re-stating some of the existing facts and my piece of advice not only for those elites who wish to reclaim their lost kingship (conqueror line of Judah) but also for the current tyranny in the Ethiopian empire, is to come down and swallow the bitter truth of Oromo’s indispensable fundamental rights to its country Oromia and solicit Oromo’s political organization promoting this scenario: the OLF! I hope whosoever rejects OLF as a fundamental Oromo organization established by Oromo heroes for the very cause of Oromo is parallel to the long lasting all inclusive political solution for the empire and by default is regressing on the triangular tactical re-arrangement.
It must be always crystal clear to all friends and enemies of Oromo nation that a failure, for whatsoever reason, to accommodate the ultimate goal of OLF is betrayal of Oromo nation’s interest and devalue the ongoing sacrifices of Oromo heroes and heroines since the period of about a century and half. Equally, the tendency to reject or underestimate Oromo martyrdom or an attempt to consider the common past history under Ethiopian empire as holly act is tramping over the blood of Oromo thus far shade to achieve the goal of equality and freedom and semblance of false collaboration. Oromo say no to short term gain and long term loss of political supremacy!
Finally, sticking to my topic title, anyone nation or individual who need to be in better common future with Oromo and is interested to facilitate justice should call us Oromo nation (never downplay the rights we have even in the TPLF’s constitution), never deny our true common history since the establishment of Ethiopian empire in the last 19th century, never accuse independent Oromo forces of guilt we never commit such the one recurring as Bedeno massacre. Never forget that we (individual Oromo, independent Oromo forces and the Oromo nation) are people full of mercy and people struggling against tyranny system (not individual person or household).
If you want to commensurate with such just cause, Amhara elites can unanimously tell us who exactly you are in terms of nation, present your exact subjects for collaboration, help your people aware of forthcoming imperative scenario and advice your parents and relatives in Oromia not to hate Afaan Oromo or be obstacle to its re-emergence (instead that they should learn) and remind them that we are endowed with culture that defines Oromoness by birth, by choice and by adoption. In doing so play win-win strategy but not opt for selfish tactic!