By Falmataa Sabaa (PhD)*
We often hear loud voice of unity, democracy and freedom even from Habesha colonial forces of Ethiopian empire regimes. The regimes’ media (the state TV, radio and news papers) had been largely seemingly dedicated to unity of peoples in Ethiopia. In fact, the unity habesha regime/elites pop for had always contained venom in it. The last Amhara based regime led by Colonel Mengistu was one of such example. His monopoly media was at its height crying about unity, democracy and freedom accusing the Tigrai People Liberation Force (TPLF) as separatist, anti-development and bridge breakers. His government referred to OLF not by name but in the nutshell of others fearing if the name of OLF is raised in its media will be unproductive propaganda.
Nonetheless, Col. Mengistu’s regime was highly dedicated to divide and humiliate Oromo people in an anticipation of ally of Oromo with the OLF. Col. Mengistu seems not comparatively effectively worked against TPLF as he did against the one his government refers only in a nutshell. Col. Mengistu’s regime severity classification of the then rebels seems to do with one ground. His regime was found by habesha (Amhara) whose kinship is to TPLF who is also habesha rebel front but not to the OLF (not habesha front). Accordingly, Col. Mengistu opted to lose power to TPLF than to the front he considered serious and true enemy, the OLF.
The current incumbent TPLF led regime also continued Col. Mengistu’s legacy on the ground to continue with policy of the habesha regime. Therefore TPLF is utmost targeting Oromo and subject nations and nationalities of south. TPLF is dedicated to divide and weaken armed rebels of subject nations and non-violent parties registered to operate under its constitution. TPLF cope with expectation of Col. Mengistu’s regime to inherit and run habesha policy on the subject peoples of the south Ethiopian empire. TPLF seem to overlook its label as bridge breaker, anti-development and agenda of separation of Tigrai from Ethiopian empire. Hence, we are noticing the pseudo-unity crying of TPLF as its habesha predecessor regime of Col. Mengistu and beyond.
Currently, TPLF is not the only one for the pseudo-unity cry but also other factions of inheritance from Col. Mengistu’s regime. The Ethio prefixed habesha political parties named this and that of democracy, unity and freedom seem to help extend the habesha regime’s policy on Ethiopian empire. Obviously, Tigre and Amhara based habesha parties on government power or at rebel levels are effectively working to keep the vicious circle of colonial operation on the subject peoples of the south. Their primary classical duties are to divide and weaken the rebel fronts of subject people against colonial forces. In doing so, they have created Gebenas for emperor Menelek, balabat for emperor Haileselasie’s regime, forerunner individuals for the Col. Mengistu’s regime and OPDO to work for TPLF led colonial regime. The current habesha factions presuming struggle against TPLF regime are effectively working to further create OPDO of Amhara.
The policy of habesha (Tigre and Amhara) regime’s/force’s have always worked not only against Oromo but also against southern independent seeking colonial subjects such as Sidama and Somali people. They have had constantly checked the struggle movement of free rebel forces of subject people and unchecked it in some way. For instance, the current match of PG7 with ODF seem to ground my concern. Previously, PG7 misled one Oromo general militant to form new Oromo rebel faction, tried to use him but eventually dropped alliance with his faction. The aim of the then PG7 seem to weaken the OLF by agitating the members of OLF, such as the generals initially defected from TPLF led regime.
Recently, in the news is formation of movement among PG7 and parties who claim to be on behalf of subjugated people. I learn that the constant habesha policy of check and uncheck the subject people now extends its scope to Sidama and Somali peoples and beyond. The fact of PG7 ally with less known factions of Sidama and Ogadenian instead of the famous SNLF and ONLF reflects such truth. It is no doubt that the divisive tactic of habesha elites is always aimed to weaken the dedicated fronts of the subject people who refuse to serve the interest of habesha.
I am afraid of to discuss Oromo Democratic Front in line with parties or individuals serving the interest of colonial power. Most of ODF leaders and members were out of their native home for the sole purpose of liberating Oromo and Oromia from habesha colonial rule. Nevertheless, the current establishment of movement announced by alliance of ODF with habesha based parties is sad news to hear. Needles to ask that if the members of ODF are shortfall of their initial just strategy for the Oromo cause. Many individual members of ODF, however, have had their good fingerprints on Oromo just struggle.
I have always loved and defended some rumors against one Oromo hero drop out of the OLF. He was rather renown as political icon and founder of the struggle against tyranny. Apart from his key role to re-draw Oromia on a global map, I have always remembered him for he was saying Oromo camp must be strengthen. The ‘former’ Oromo hero is currently accompanied by other ‘mislead’ heroes of very founders of Oromo liberation force to join the once refuted habesha camp. Regardless of the unlikely benefits for the Oromo cause, seeing the once Oromo hero at the middle of habesha breaks my heart because I have never thought habesha mythology catches even the ingenious Oromos.
Nevertheless, it is high time for the heroes in the domain for liberation of the subjugated people per se to ask what type of unity we really need. Obviously we only need unity on the basis of equality and for freedom of all peoples from subjugation. Unmaking and re-making of the Ethiopian empire is plausible scenario if we really wanna break the vicious circle of habesha regime on our shoulder. We reject the cry for pseudo-unity regularly sponsored by habesha elites/parties designed to keep their successive regimes. Truth is inevitable, trickery politics wouldn’t be viable! Habesha elites must learn from their past wrongs and undo their pop up for pseudo-unity aimed to deceive peoples of Ethiopian empire and peace loving international community.
Thank you