Qeerroo Bilisummaa Artists’ Group: A New Inspiring Force in the Struggle of the Oromo Nation for Liberation

By Daandii Qajeelaa  |  December 4, 2014

I have been closely following and chronicling the struggle of the Oromo students and youth for freedom, democracy, and justice in the English language since November 2009 (see articles from Daandii Qajeelaaon Gadaa.com for details). On my latest post, I have presented “A Chronological Summary of Oromian Students’ Movement Led by Qeerroo Bilisummaa: Nov. 2013 – Nov. 2014” on the eve of the commemoration of the 9^th year anniversary of the 2005 Oromia-wide and bloody Oromo student movement commonly known as “Fincila Diddaa Gabrummaa” (Revolt Against Subjugation). In that latest report I have emphasized that the Oromian students’ struggle has obtained a central leadership from a vibrant group of Oromo youth organized under the name of Qeerroo Bilisummaa or simply Qeerroo.

In this brief follow up report, I will begin by introducing one of the most remarkable accomplishments of Qeerroo Bilisummaa, namely, the establishment of a young revolutionary Oromo artist group known as “Hawwisoo Qeerroo Bilisummaa”, roughly translated “Qeerroo Bilisumma Artists’ Group” (translation mine) and its profound contributions in inspiring and energizing the young Oromo generation in the ongoing struggle of the Oromo nation for freedom, democracy, and justice. In particular, I will briefly present the list of songs produced and released on YouTube by this young group of singers since January, 2014. Then I will examine whether the April/May, 2014 Oromo students protests were planned, guided and executed by Qeerroo Bilisummaa or were “spontaneous” and “didn’t have a central leadership” as some have claimed. I will end this note by offering some pieces of advice to Qeerroo Bilisummaa and its supporters.

Hawwisoo Qeerroo Bilisummaa: A Living Proof that “Qeerroo” is for Real

While all speakers of Afan Oromo, especially those of us in the Diaspora, have encountered the works of the Qeerroo Artists’ Group on social media, especially YouTube, to my knowledge, this report would be the first piece to introduce the existence and contributions of this group of artists in writing, in the English language. As a result, I am aware that some might question the very existence of “Hawwisoo Qeerroo Bilisummaa” and as a result might think that it is all made-up. In fact many have said in the past that even the so called “Qeerroo Bilisummaa” is just made-up “by people sitting behind their computers” in the Diaspora. Therefore, for the sake of clarity, before I present some of the works of “Qeerroo Bilisummaa Singers’ Group”, I would like to address the issue of its very existence as follows.

To those who might think that there is no such a thing “Hawwisoo Qeerroo Bilisummaa” and that all this is made-up, I would tell them to just type “Wallee Hawwisoo Qeerroo Bilisummaa” on their YouTube search engine and they will see dozens of songs of this group including the most recent song released on November 26, 2014, entitled “Ka’i Ka’i” meaning “stand up, stand up”. Oh yeah, again these people may now say, all that could be made-up too. They might say it could be cooked behind a computer screen, by making a clip of Oromo singers using the audio they released at home. Could all this be cooked behind a computer screen? Well, if we take that claim at its face value, how about the term “Qeerroo” and the abundant phrases containing this term that the singers use repeatedly in their songs? Those of us who listened to these songs know very well that almost all of these songs contain phrases such as “Qeerroo ka’i”, “Qeerroo falmadhu”, “Qeerroon faarsa”, “Qeerroon sitti marse”, “Qeerroon leenca goota”, and so on. For example: 1) a song released by the name of this group on January 7, 2014 says “Kaayyoo isaa qabatee, Qeerroon Bilisummaa”, 2) another song again released by the name of this group on May 14, 2014 has the title “Oromiyaa keessa Qeerroon sitti marse”, 3) yet another song released on July 19, 2014 says “Qeerroon faarsaa”,  4) another song released on July 8, 2014 has the title “Oh lolaa Qeerrookorri yoomi”, 5) another song released on August 6, 2014 has the title “Nuti Qeerroon Leenca Goota”, just to mention a few. Could those repeated words also be made up behind a computer screen? Could people sitting in the Diaspora tell that group of singers from Oromia to praise “Qeerroo” in the absence of an organized body by this name? Impossible! This line of argument doesn’t hold any water.

Nuti Qeerroon Leenca Goota       Oh Lolaa Qeerroo Korri yoomi         Qeerroon Sitti Marse

Partial List of Revolutionary Songs Released on YouTube by Qeerroo Bilisummaa Singers Group (Hawwisoo Qeerroo Bilisummaa) in 2014

Here is a partial list of the revolutionary songs produced and released on YouTube by Qeerroo Bilisummaa Artists’ Group between January 1, 2014 and November 30, 2014. In this list I have included only those revolutionary songs that are tagged as “Wallee Hawwisoo Qeerroo Bilisummaa” (A Song from Qeerroo Bilisummaa Singers’ Group) on YouTube. Several other revolutionary songs released by individual singers who may or may not be members of this group, many of which also praise Qeerroo, but are not tagged as such on YouTube are not included in this list. Therefore, the revolutionary songs of famous singers such as Elemo Ali, Angatu Balcha, Hirpha Ganfure, Addisu Karayyu, Shukri Jamal, Jafar Yusuf, Jirenya Shiferaw, Dadhi Galan, Kekiya Badhadha, Chala Bultum, Getachew Niguse, Ararsa Gabbisa, Sena Solomon, Galana Garomsa, Kadir Martu, Ebrahim Adam, Asha Birre, Amin Hussein, Tolawak Elias, and many others are not included in this list although they are posted on Qeerroo website. To listen or watch the songs on YouTube just click on the link provided with the title. The English translations of the titles are mine.

1. Tedy Afro, Maal Baacca, meaning “Is Teddy Afro Kidding?”. This was released on January 4, 2014. [Tedy Afro is a popular Amharic singer known for praising King Minilik. King Minilik is considered as “Hitler of Africa” among the Oromo and other peoples of the South, but is considered as a hero by almost all Amhara elites].
2. Qeerron Bilisummaa Falmaa Itti fufna, meaning “Qeerroo Bilisummaa will continue the Struggle”, released on January 7, 2014.
3. Kunoo Akkas yaa Lammii koo Garaan na Ciise Reefuu, meaning “Yes my fellow countrymen (Oromos), I am now happy [that you continue fighting]”, released on January 12, 2014.
4. Guyyaa Seenaan Yaadatamuu Qabu, meaning “A Day [April 15] that Needs to be Remembered in History”, released on April 15, 2014 in memory of heroes and heroines who lost their lives in the struggle. [Every year on April 15 Oromos across the globe commemorate “Guyyaa Gootota Oromoo” meaning “Oromo Heroes/Heroines Day”.]
5. Baranoo Goonni si waama, meaning “This year the Hero is Calling you”, released on May 3, 2014.
6. Oromiyaa Keessaan Qeerroon sitti Marse, meaning “You [our enemy], you are Surrounded by Qeerroo in Oromia”, released on May 14, 2014.
7. Labsii, Labsii, meaning “Declaration, Declaration” released on June 19, 2014.
8. Ohh Lolaa Qeerroo Korri Yoomii, meaning “Oh Qeerroo, When Shall we Meet [to go to fight] ”, released on July 8, 2014.
9. Nuti Qeerroon Leenca Goota, meaning “We Qeerroo are Heroes [like] a Lion”, released on August 6, 2014.
10. Cidha Bara Dhufuu, Cidha Bilisummaa, meaning “Wedding [Ceremony] of Freedom that is Coming up Next Year”, released on August 17, 2014.
11. Qeerroon Diina Mancaase, “Qeerroo is about to Exterminate the Enemy”, released on August 31, 2014.
12. Gootni Baroode, meaning “The Hero Roared [like a lion]”, released on September 4, 2014.
13. Jabaadhu WBO, Abdii Saba Kiyyaa, “Be Strong WBO, Hope of my People”, released on September 16, 2014. [“WBO” is an acronym for Waraana Bilisummaa Oromoo (Oromo Liberation Army)].
14. Ka’i Qeerroo, meaning “Standup Qeerroo”, released on September 24, 2016
15. Kaasi Gowwaa Rafu, meaning “Wakeup that Fool Who is Sleeping”, released on November 2, 2014.
16. Oromo Falmadhu, meaning “You Oromo Struggle [for your right]”, released on November 7, 2014.
17. Sadaasni 9 Guyyaa Gootowwanii, meaning “November 9 a Day of Heroes”, released on November 9, 2014 for the memory of the November 9, 2005 Oromo student martyrs.
18. Na Dhiisi Jennaan na Didde, meaning “I Told you [my enemy] to Leave me Alone, you Refused”, released on November 18, 2014.
19. Ka’i, Ka’i, meaning “standup, standup”, released on November 26, 2014.

The above examples are some simple but glaring evidences that anyone who has the slightest doubt can cross-check for oneself to validate that “Hawwisoo Qeerroo Bilisummaa” is for real. It is also another indirect living proof that “Qeerroo Bilisummaa” is in fact for real – that it is a well-organized Oromo youth group capable of bringing about a positive and feasible change for the Oromo on the ground.

Lack of Support

Despite these and abundant other ways in which the results of the Oromo youth movement led by Qeerroo vividly manifested itself, some of our Oromo brothers and sisters are reluctant to acknowledge the contributions of this Oromo young generation and give the moral, financial, and material support they need. The information I have indicates that this group of Qeerroo singers is composed of volunteers who sacrifice their time, their energy, their own meagre material resources, and even their own money to produce the kind of modern revolutionary songs they produced and released on YouTube over the last few months. They need a lot of materials such as musical instruments, video cameras and audio recorders. They need professionals who play those instruments, poem writers and composers. They need trainers. They need money for several miscellaneous expenses. Above all, they need the moral support from the nation for whom they put their lives on the line and at a great risk and danger in order to do away with tyranny and to bring about peace, equality, freedom, justice and democracy for their people.

Downplaying, Discrediting, Discouraging

I have a friend, a former OLF member, who responds to me in a very strange way every time I mention the name “Qeerroo” to him. He didn’t dare to openly discredit Qeerroo in my presence because he knows how strongly I feel about it. But I can see from his look and his voice that he is troubled. From his strange demeanor it seems to me that he says “what are you talking about”? Perhaps he thinks I am a fool. What he probably didn’t know is that I have full information from my other friends that he is openly engaged in trying to convince people how the so called Qeerroo is “not real” and that it is all “made-up” or fabricated from behind a computer screen here in Western countries. I have encountered several others who are openly engaged in such downplaying and discrediting misinformation on social media. Probably you [readers] also have similar experiences.

Some others are more of implicit in their downplaying strategy. I have heard two prominent former OLF leaders who were asked on two different internet radios whether the April/May 2014 Oromo students’ protest had a central leadership or not. Both of the gentlemen claimed that the protests were “spontaneous” and that they “didn’t have any leadership”. Mind you, these gentlemen didn’t say “I don’t know” or “I do not have information”. They claimed that they were dead-sure that those protests were “spontaneous” and “didn’t have leadership”. Such disinformation was given at a time when the activities and statements of Qeerroo Bilisummaa were constantly reported on its website, on its internet radio, and relayed on various social media and on several media outlets such as Gadaa.com, Ayyaantuu.com, SBO, RSO, TVOMT, Simbirtuu, and Seifenebelbal radios among others. In the midst of such widespread report on the media about the activities of Qeerroo, the implicit message that such individuals have delivered to the public by claiming that the protests were “spontaneous”, was that there is no such a thing called Qeerroo Bilisummaa or Qeerroo. I believe such a message of misinformation is deliberate and has hidden motives. Besides, it has a negative effect on the Qeerroo group because it discourages those who might be interested to give the moral and material support they need. Their diehard supporters also picked up the same message and have been engaged in spreading it on social media to this day. What a tragedy to see fellow Oromos, who claim to be struggling for the freedom of their country, engaged in such a destructive behavior and activity?

Were the April/May Oromo Student Protests “Spontaneous”?

Let’s bring the “spontaneous” claim to a test. Let us examine the April/May, 2014 protests more closely. Were those protests well organized and planned or were they spontaneous? In order to answer this question one has to look at the events leading to the major protests which occurred at the end of April and beginning of May. We all know that the major and bloodiest protests occurred on April 30 and May 1. Let’s look at what have been reported on Qeerroo website on the weeks and days leading to April 30 and which apparently many people didn’t pay attention to. On March 13 and March 20, 2014 Qeerroo website reported that Oromo students of Shakkiso Preparatory Secondary School, Guji zone, staged two separate peaceful protests. On March 20, 2014 Qeerroo reported that Oromo students of Jimma University staged a peaceful protest in their university campus. On March 22, 2014 Qeerroo reported that Oromo students of Haru Chululle School, South West Shoa zone, staged a peaceful protest. On April 5, 2014, about three weeks before the major and bloodiest protests occurred, Qeerroo released a statement from the “Central Committee of Qeerroo Bilisummaa” calling the Oromo youth and the entire Oromo nation for revolt against subjugation in general and against the so called “Addis Ababa Master Plan” in particular. It is clear that this call was the beginning of the widespread protest that later engulfed the entire Oromia. Here is an excerpt from the statement released on April 5, 2014:

The dictatorial Woyane [TPLF] Ethiopian regime has openly declared through its media that it has a new Plan to expand the city of Finfinne [Addis Ababa] by evicting Oromo farmers from their ancestral land in order to exploit and control the natural resource of Oromia by incorporating several surrounding Oromo towns such as Burayu, Sebeta, Laga Tafo, Holota, Aqaqi, Dukam, Bishoftu, Laga Dadhi, Qalitti, Galan, and several other Oromo communities under the Federal government. In order to abort this Plan; protect the natural resource of Oromia; protect Oromo farmers from eviction so that they can live in peace maintaining their land and property; all Oromo nationals should stand together without any pre-condition, based on Oromumma [Oromoness] alone, and ignite Revolt Against Subjugation [Fincila Diddaa Gabrummaa] (translation mine).

Read the full statement of Qeerroo’s call of April 5, 2014 here

Following this call of Qeerroo Bilisummaa, Oromo student protests were intensified and spread all over Oromia. On April 12, 2014, Qeerroo reported that Oromo students of Jimma University protested in their campus chanting slogans such as “Oromo land belongs to the Oromo”, “Finfinne [Addis Ababa] belongs to the Oromo”, and many more. Qeerros report was supported with the video and audio of the protest. On April 16, 2014, Qeerroo reported that Oromo students of Adama Science and Technology University protested and that the protests continued in the up-coming days. On April 20, 2014, Qeerroo reported that Oromo students of Mattu University, Illubabor zone, protested. On the same day, Oromo student protests continued in Jimma University. Between April 20 and April 25, 2014 Qeerroo reported that the regime arrested several students from various universities and that all universities have been occupied by the Federal and Agazi forces of the regime. On April 25, 2014, Qeerroo reported [supported with audio] that Oromo students of Ambo University protested getting out of their campus and that on the same day about 5, 000 Oromo students of Haromaya University protested (supported with audio). On April 26, 2014 Qeerroo reported [supported with audio] that Oromo students of Wollega University staged a huge protest. On April 27, Qeerroo reported that Oromo student of Wollega University continued protesting for the second day. On April 28, 2014, Qeerroo reported that Oromo student protests were spread to several universities, colleges and high schools: Adama University, Mattu University, Bule Hora University, Gedo Preparatory Secondary School, West Shoa zone, among others. The report of Mattu protest was supported with audio. On April 29, Qeerroo reported that Oromo student protests were spread all over Oromia: Ambo University, Adama University [audio], Mattu University, Nekemte, Shambu, Dembi Dollo, Gudar, and many others. On April 30, Oromo student protest spread to all over Oromia. The bloodiest protest occurred in Ambo town in which at least 30 students have been killed by the Agazi forces of the regime.

Now, it is at this point, after several innocent students have been murdered, that those who chose to turn blind eyes and deaf ears to the sequence of events being reported by Qeerroo on a daily basis, suddenly woke up from their own illusions and from their sleeping beds and started shamelessly uttering how the protests were “spontaneous” and how it “didn’t have any leadership”. Anyone who claims to be struggling for the right of his/her people should pay attention to what is going on in that community, good or bad. However, I do not think this is only a matter of paying or not paying attention. It is a matter of one being unwilling to see a glaring and objective fact standing right in front of one’s nose.

Apart from examining the sequence of events leading to the April 30/May 1, 2014 bloody days, there are many other ways that show the protests were well organized. For example, there were many instances when protests were seen to have been ignited at various places simultaneously, at the same time and on the same day. It would be unlikely to have occurred in the absence of a centralized management. Another way to know that the protests were well organized is that the protesters were chanting uniformly the same slogans at all places, showing that the slogans have been distributed from a central body and location. So, if we believe that there should be some organized entity that planned and led the protest, who could that “organized entity” be? I am dead sure that the only body we can point our fingers to is QEERROO. No other entity was constantly reporting the struggle of the Oromo youth over the months and years leading to the April/May protests other than Qeerroo. This is as clear as black and white.

Today, Qeerroo and its activities are spread all over social media: Facebook, Twitter, Internet radio, and YouTube to a point that it is impossible to hide or ignore. Qeerroo also has a website which has been updated daily uninterrupted for close to four years in a row unlike many Oromo websites which remain stagnant for weeks or even for months. Where is all this coming from? From “behind a computer screen”? Really? To think that any sane person or group would sit and fabricate a large sum of data and a continuous flow of news nonstop for four years is beyond my wildest imagination. The question then is, why would some individuals and/or groups chose to downplay the contributions and whiteout the very existence of Qeerroo? What could be their possible motive? I do not want to speculate or speak on anyone’s behalf. But I will say this. From my observation and some practical evidence, all individuals who try to downplay the role, discredit the contributions, and discourage the activities of Qeerroo have one thing in common. They are all former members of OLF who left the organization due to various reasons of their own. I do not want to second guess these individuals and get into further details but this common denominator speaks volumes about their motives. However, I would like to express my deepest regret that such denials and mockery are coming from fellow Oromos while the notorious propaganda mills of the TPLF/EPRDF as well as the Neo-Neftegnas, even had never alluded to such mockery nor described Qeerroo as a phantom. “Sanga abbaan gaafa cabse, ollaan ija buruksa”, as an Oromo proverb goes, meaning “if the owner of an ox breaks its horn, the neighbor penetrates its eye [make it blind]”. A self-inflicted wound is more painful than the one caused by an alien.

Some Pieces of Advice for Qeerroo Bilisummaa and the “Qubee Generation”

We, the older generation, are sorry that we had to inherit you slavery in all its ugly forms. We too, inherited the same from our forefathers. They too, endured slavery in its most savage form. It has been the fate of the Oromo nation to endure barbaric and cruel tyrannical rule of the successive Ethiopian kings and regimes for generations, beginning with Tewodros, Yohannes, Minilik, Hailesellassie, Derg, and now the TPLF minority regime. We did our best to do away with such barbaric form of colonialism and pass on to you a free country in which you can live in freedom, peace, equality, and democracy. Our forefathers too, they did their best to do away with it. It didn’t happen. We are still under subjugation. We are killed on our own country non-stop because of our land and our natural resources.

Now that we are at a historical juncture where, you, Qeerroo bilisummaa, have emerged as the face of the new Oromo generation: the “Qubee Generation”. You have a lot of opportunities and tools that we, the older generation, didn’t have. You are well-educated. In fact, you are educated in your own language. You know the history of the Oromo nation under colonial rule that many of us didn’t know. Your country, Oromia, is now roughly delineated and the whole world knows about it. Oromo nationalism, Oromummaa, is now at its highest peak in our history. The Oromo people have known each other from east to west, north to south, as one and one entity and notion only: Oromummaa (being Oromo). Conversely, the fake so called Ethiopian nationalism is fading and withering away from the heart and mind of almost all educated Oromo persons, especially the Qubee Generation. That fake nationalism was injected only in the mind of those of us who have been educated under the Amhara dominated education system of Hailesellasie and Derg to begin with. Another opportunity you have is that you are at a historical time of information age in which fast communication tools such as internet, telephone and social media has developed to unimaginable level. Above all, you are now well organized under a vibrant organization, Qeerroo Bilisummaa. The following are my few pieces of advice.

1. Your organization is the most important tool you can use to do away with the tyrannical rule and restore freedom, equality, democracy, and justice. Protect it. Strengthen it and develop it.
2. It is expected the enemies of the Oromo nation, the old nanfxanyas (gun carrying settlers) and the neo-nafxanyas, will commit every crime against you, because, for them, freedom of the Oromo nation means losing control of the natural resources of Oromia. They can’t and won’t let it go. They will fight you to the last drop of their blood until you overwhelm them with a united and excessive revolution. Therefore, know that the sacrifices you have to pay could get severe as you get closer to your target. There was a saying which I used to hear as a high school kid during the early years of the Derg regime: “bilisummaan dhiigarratti magarti”, roughly translated, “seed of freedom needs blood to germinate”. Unfortunately, this is what has to happen in order to get our country back.
3. We also see that some desperado groups from among the Oromo community in the Diaspora downplay your role in an attempt to discourage you. Do not be discouraged. Ignore them and keep up the good work. Remember, the overwhelming majority of Oromo nation, especially the young generation, is with you.
4. Be truthful and trustworthy. Cross-check your information and protect your credibility as much as it is possible before broadcasting or releasing to the public. I understand that, under the tight security machine of the current Ethiopian regime, getting any information, let alone accurate information or report, is very difficult. However, it is better to release limited checked and cross-checked news than including an unconfirmed report which will affect your credibility if some part of it is later found to be inaccurate. Remember, one of the ways the “do-nothing” individuals and groups discredit you is by cherry-picking some inaccurate information provided through your media.
5. Be peaceful and non-violent by all means. You do not get benefit by throwing stones or destroying property. Remember that, unlike the OLF and other opposition groups which entertain all forms of struggle, including armed struggle and other violent means, you have chosen a “non-violent” means of struggle from the outset. Stick to it.
6. Maintain a high level of organizational discipline at all times. Do not leak any information entrusted to you from a fellow Oromo. Be a good example and a role model in your community, especially to those Oromo kids younger than you. Show love to everybody in your personal life, including to those who are members of the ruling party and old nafxanyas and to those who hate you for any reason, but do not be passive or liberal when it comes to the right of the Oromo nation. Remember, hatred breeds hatred, the way to win people’s heart is by showing them love and respect when it is due.

Daandii Qajeelaa

WAREEGAMA HANQISUUF, “WAL-TUMSUUN” MURTEESSAADHA  !!!!

SEENAA  Y.G (2005)kutaa 2ffaa | Muddee 3, 2014

Wareegama Qabsoon keenya nu gaafatu maaliin tilmaamu dandeenya ? ykn akkamiin beeku dandeenya ? Bilisummaan Wareegama malee hin argamtu. Kanaaf wareegama hanqisuu fi dhiisuu maaltu fide ? jedhee kan gaafatu hin dhabamu. Wareegama lubbuu qofaatti fudhatee, lubbuun miliyoona itti ba’ee Bilisomnaan rakkoon maalii  ? ka jedhus jira. mee fakkeenya tokko haa kaafnu. Ega Oromoon gabrummaa jalatti kufee,  ilamaan Oromoo diinaan lubbuun dabartee miliyoona 5n (kun xiqqaachuus guddachuus danda’a) haa tilmaamnu. Ega Gabroomnee ammoo waggaa 150tti haa fudhannu. Wareegamni kun kan lubbuu qofaadha. Kan Qabeenyaa, beekumsaa, Maallaqa kkf itti hin daballe. Addunyaa irraa lubbuu amma kana itti wareegee gabrummaa jalatti kan hafe jiraa laata ?wareegama haganaa, toftaa ittin Bilisoomuuf lafa keewwannee raawwachiisuu keessatti baafne jenna moo, diinumatu nu cabsuuf nu fixeedhaan bira tarra ? wareegama hanga har’aatti baasaa jirrutti milkaa’uu maaf dhabne ? maaliif wareegama qofaan hafne ? Gootoota keenya seenaan isaan yaadata jennee yeroo maraa kaafnuuf maaf gumaa ba’uu dadhabne ? wareegama Lammiilee keenyaa Boqonnaa namaaf hin laannee keessa ciifnee, kan warra kaanii maaliif dinqisiifachuu qofatti hafne ? har’as wareegama qaalii tarii kan hanga har’aa irra ulfaataa baasuuf teenya moo, sadarkaa amma irra jirruun, Injifannoo keenya goonfachuuf wareegama guddaa kana hanqisuuf, wal-tumsuun ala  furmaata hin qabnu jennee irree waliif ta’uutti qajeella  ?

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Kana irraa kaanee gaaffiileen of gaafachu qabnu danuudha. Diinatti furga’uuf ka’umsi kee tolu qaba. waan keessa keetii si harkisu odoo jiru, diinatti tarkaanfachuun hin danda’amu. Yaadaa fi garaan odoo wal bira hin jiraatiin , diinatti bobba’uu miti , waliin deemuunu rakkoodha. Sagaleen keenya osoo wal hin tumsiin, iyya ofii addunyaa gurra ishee beekaa duchitee jirtu dhageesisuu yaaluun waan yaadamu miti. (sochii FDG 2014 Biyya keessaa fi alatti taasifame akka fakkeenyaatti fudhachuun ni danda’ama) wal Tumsuu dhabuu keenya irraa diinni itti fayyadamaa hin jiru ? wal-tumsuu dhabuu keenya irraa, wareegamni keenya guyyuu dabalaa hin jiruu ? Tokkomnee yaadaa fi sochii keenya gara diinaatti luucceessuu dhabuu keenyaan, diinni fayyadamaa hin jiru? ? wareegama waa hundaa woo kafalaa hin jirru ? dhalli Oromoo sadarkaa dhuunfaa kaasee waan irraa eegamu raawwachuu dhabuu irraa, ykn tokko isa tokko taa’ee ilaaluu irraa, wareegama kafalaa hin jirruu ? rakkina keenya kana furachuuf yoo wal Tumsinee sochoonee, wareegama baafnu hanqisuu hin dandeenyu ? humna taanee diinatti ba’uu keenyaan, diinni miidhamee nu dura dhaabbachuu dadhabuu jechuun wareegama bara baraan kafallu of irraa dhaabuu jechuu mitii ? akeekni barreeffama kanaa kana hubachiisuudha. Hundumtuu kan hawwuu. Garuu hawwii qofaan kan hin argamne. Hawwii keenya kana dhugoomsuu fi waan garaa keessaa qabnu milkeessuuf, Hawwiin dhama’aa jiraachuu keessaa baanee, hojiin mul’achuuf yeroon nu gaafataa jiraachuu beeku qabna. Yeroon kun Dogoggoora kaleessaa irra deebinee yeroo kanatti yoo dantaa keenyaaf hin olchiin, tarii wareegamni nuuti baafnu dachaan dabalee, Oromoon hundi wareegamellee Bilisummaa dhabuu akka dandeenyudha. Kana hanqisuuf hojjannaan kan lubbuun hafu Bilisummaan akka jiraachuu danda’u itti amanuun barbaachisaadha.

“Wareegama hanqisuuf WAL-TUMSUUN murteessaadha” wayita jennu, wal tumsuu dhabuu irraa wareegama dabalataa baasaa jirra. Wal tumsinee diinatti bobba’uu hanqachuu keenya irraa, gabrummaa lubbuu dheeressaa jirra. Jireenya hiraarriin guutame carraa keenya taasifataa jirra. Lammii keenya harxee fi saraxeen akka barbaadde itti taphataa akka jiraattu hayyamaa jirra. Saamicha diinaan qabeenyaa keenya dhaloota itti aanullee dhabaa jirra. Walii galatti wareegama waa maraa dheeressaa fi dabalaa jiraachuu keenya beekuun dansaadha.

“WAL-TUMSUU” n,  eenyun ilaallata ? Ummata Gabroome tokko adda baasee akka wal tumsan taasifamaa ?dhaabbilee siyaasaa Ummata Gabroomee qofaa ilaallataa ? beektootaa fi ogeessitoota Ummatichi qabu ni ilaallataa ? Qeerroo qofaa ilaallataa ? Hojjataa fi qaamni hawaasa biro , ijoollee gaaffii ummataaf dhumaa jirtu callisanii akka ilaalaniif kan hayyamuudhaa ? gaaffiilee kkf of- gaafachuun, wal-gaafachuun, hin hafu. Garuu, Ummata Gabrummaa jala jiruuf TUMSI Daangaa hin qabu. Tumsi yeroon nu gaafattu, Ilmaan Oromoo Biyya keessaa fi ala jiru sagalee tokkon akka waliif birmatu, dhimma Oromoo ajandaa addunyaa taasifachuuf bakka jirru hojjachuu fi iyyachuuf wal deeggaruu, humna waliif ta’uu, miidhaa Ummata keenya irra ga’aa jiru addunyaatti caalaatti dhageesisuu danda’uudha.

Qabsoo Ofii jiraachisuu keessaa ba’uu keenya jedhee kutaa 1ffaa keessatti kanan kaasee kana irraati. Hojiileen bara 2014 kana nu akeekan. Addatti Qabsoon Ummata kanaa, Ilmaan isaa akka sibiilaa waa hundaa dandamatanii asiin ga’anii jiru. Yeroo kanatti ammo, kan yeroo kamirrayyuu caalaa Tumsa Ummata isaanii dhugeessuuf hojjachaa jiraachuun haqa. Ilmaan Oromoo bakka jiran maraa dhimma Oromoo irratti waliin dhaabbachuun bu’aa argamsiisaa jiraachuun Ummataaf hamilee ta’aa dhufeera. Kanaaf, Tumsa walii galaa fardeessuun, wareegama hanqisuuf yeroo mijataa irra jiraachuu keenya hubachuun , halakanii fi guyyaa nuffii tokko malee akka irratti hojjachuu qabnu waan addunyaa irratti argaa jirru irraa barachuu qabna.

Namoonni hawwii qofaan jiraatan, Daandiin Qabsoo dheerachuu hadheeffatanii dubbatu. Namoonni yaada akkasii qaban deebisanii, dhaadannoo “Bilisummaan wareegama malee hin ragamtuu !jedhanii harka ol kaasu . yaadoonni kunneen hedduu wal irraa fagoo jiru. walii isaaniif illee gufuudha. Hawwiin hojiidhaan hin deeggaramiin, Hawwiin wareegamaan hin utubamiin , Midhaanuma habjuuti. Kaayyoo Saba tokko milkeessuu miti, jireenyi maatii ykn dhuufaayyuu, wareegama waa hundaa gaafata. Kana milkeessuuf lubbuu itti dhabuun ni jirti. Yoo tattaafatan, beekumsa qabaniin, dandeetti qabaniin, qabeenyaa qabaniin kkf yoo hundumtu bakka jiruu tattaafate, hawwiin walii galaa sun ni dhugoomti. Kan har’a gaafatamaa jirrus kanadha.

Sadarkaa har’a irra jirru irraa kaanee maal gochuu akka qabnu wal akeekuun rakkisaa hin ta’u. WAL-TUMSUUN keenya diina irratti kan hundaa’ee taasisuun garuu murteessaadha. Qaama Hawaasa Oromoo kamuu hammachuu waan danda’uuf. Sadarkaa amma irra jirru yoo hubannee ta’ee, yeroo Oromoon mana isaa cufatee, hojjachuu yeroo itti danda’uudha. Toftaalee diina karaa hundaan ittin miidhuuf gargaaran waloon hojjachuu, mari’achuu, sochii qindeeffachuu, qophii barbaadu taasifachuuf yaada walii hiruun yeroo itti danda’amuudha.sababaan waan keessa dabarree caalaa waan irraa barannu hin qabnu waan ta’eef.

ABOn abdii Ummata Oromooti. Kun qormaata keessa dabrameen mirkanaa’ee jira.ABOn rakkoo keessa isaatti umamu irraa hin harkifannee jechuu hin dandeenyu. Maqaa Gootootaan kakatee, karoora waggaa 5,10, isaa olii waliin baasee, ykn mari’atee ka’ee bakka Jaallan isaa jiran, eessaan ba’anii eessaan akka seenan,  waan Jaallan isaa waliin mari’ate akka jirutti dhaqee diinatti  kannu caalaaa kan duubatti nama harkisu hin jiru. hanqinoota akkasiiirraa of qabnee, wareegama hanqisuun ni danda’ama. wareegama Ummataa fi qabsaa’oota dheeressuu irraa dhaabbachuun, wareegama hanqisu keessatti hammatama. Wal tumsuuf waan tumsa laaffisan hojachuu irraa of qusachuun murteessaadha.

Akka siyaasaatti waan goonfannee jirru, amma Bilisummaan jiraachuttii waan hin fudhanneef malee, waan nu haftu harka keenya keessa akka jiraatuuf, ABO caalaa kan hojjate gonkumaa hin jiru. Qabsaa’oonni Oromoo , Qabsaa’oota Addunyaa irratti argaa jirru irraa gadi miti. hanqina Qabsaa’oonni addunyaa qabaachuu qaban isaanis qabaachuu malu. Qabsaa’oonni addunyaa irraa ykn Biyyoota adda addaa, Hanqinootaa fi waandabre irraa baratanii Injifannoo Ummata isaanii akkuma dhugeessan, Qabsaa’oonni Oromoos waan keessa dabran irraa baratani Injifannoo Ummata isaanii waan hin dhugeessineef hin jiru.Akkuma Ummatoonni addunyaa falmaa hadhaawaa gaggeessanii Bilisummaan jiraataa jiran, Ummati Oromoos sadarkaa kana irra ga’uuf kan isa dhorku waa tokko hin jiru. Qabsaa’oonni Addunyaa humna Ummata isaaniin akkuma injifatan , Qabsaa’oonni Oromoos humna Ummata isaaniin ni injifatu.

Wal-Tumsuun kallatti heedduu qabaachuu ni mala. Kallattii kana hundatti dhimma ba’uun barbaachisaadha. kana milkeessuf ammoo gurmaa’inni Ummataa barbaachisaadha. beekumsaan, dandeettidhaan, maallaqaan, qabeenyaadhaan waa hundaan wal tumsuuf , Oromoon kamuu kan isa dammaqisu hin barbaadu. Dubbii ijoon nu haftu haala kana ummachuuf hojjachuudha. Sochiilee adda addaa qindeeffachuuf , diina afuura kutuuf wal-tumsuun hundee ta’uu hubachuudha. ABOn hojii manaa ba’eef, keessattu sadarkaa Ummati irra ga’uu qabu xumureera jechuu dandeenya. Kan hafe harkaan ga’achuuf, Oromoon Biyya keessaa fi alatti wal tumsuu akka qabu ega dubbatee bubbuleera. Har’a Ummata dammaqaa fi of hubate qabna. Hundeen qabsoo saba tokko kanadha. Kanatti dhimma ba’uun murteedha. Biyyi Oromiyaa jedhamtu akka jirtu addunyaan fudhateera. Alaabaa Oromoon irratti walii galee wareegamaafii jiru qabna. Qooqa/Afaan Oromoo addunyaa irratti beekamee,kan hojii fi barnootaa ta’eera.Kun injifannoo bu’uraati. Kan nu hafu, Oromoo fi Oromiyaa walitti fiduu qofaadha. Kana dhugeessuuf yoo wal tumsine, wareegama hanqisna. Yoo wal tumsuu baannee wareegama qaalii jechaa jiraanna. Kanaaf miidhaa waggaa 100 olii boodallee Hawwiin jiraachuun nama qaanessa.

Dhaabbileen siyaasaa Oromoo ilaalchaan tokko ta’an tokkoomuu danda’an. Ilaalchaan kan adda ta’an wal tumsuu danda’an. Akka miseensa dhaabbaatti tokkomuun dirqama. Akka deeggaraatti dhaaba deeggaran, tumsuun ni danda’ama. Akka Kominiitiin wal tumsanii , kaayyoo Ummatichaa tumsuu irra dabree, dhaaboota tumsuun wal tumsuu danda’u. Dhimma Oromoo fi Oromiyaa qofa irrattillee wal tumsuun ni danda’ama. Lammiileen wal tumsanii Qabsoo Ummata isaanii tumsuu danda’an. Beektoonni gurmaa’anii dhimma Ummata isaanii addunyaa dhageesisuuf wal tumsuu danda’u, qabsoo isaanis tumsuu danda’u. amma yeroon kan wal tumsuuti. Kan waliif birmatanii, iyya waliif dhageesisaniiti. ! akkamiin wal tumsan ? yoo wal tumsuun jiraatee, sochii jiru hundaa qindeeffachuu, galii tokkotti tarkaafachuu, humna ta’uun dhugoomee wareegama adda durummaan hanqisuu danda’a. Qabsoon Oromoo walabummaa Oromiyaan boodallee maal ta’uu akka danda’uu , waan isaan mudachuu danda’uu dandamachuuf har’a bu’ura keewwachuun dansaadha. Gaaffiin Oromoo gaaffii Filitsixeemootaa caalaa wal xaxaa fi jabaa ta’uu haa hubannu. Boruu wareegama ulfaataa akka baafnuuf wayyaaneen waan nu  irratti hojjachaa jirtu ni hubannaa ? kana yoomiif keenya ? yaada xumuraa

Is H

Why is Mr. Abebe Belew So Concerned about the Oromo Community of Washington DC?

November 27, 2014

Please note, the person in Question is Abebe Belew, not Abebe Gelaw. They are two different persons.

The Oromo Community Organization (OCO) of Washington, DC received the FY2014 African Community grant award from District of Columbia Government Mayor’s Office on African Affairs (OAA) for Healthcare Awareness Training and Assessment program. The (OCO) has implemented the grant successfully per guidelines and instructions received with the Grant.

The OCO won the FY2015 African Community Grant award from the Office of African Affairs (OAA) for the second time.  We would like to say congratulations to our community members and thank to the OAA for the award. This grant will be used to expand the health training program we have started and strengthen services by:

• Increasing awareness about DC Child Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
• Providing health awareness training about high risk diseases (cancer, heart disease, tuberculosis)
• Provide health awareness training about Ebola, its transmission and prevention methods.
• Provide regular health checkup services for Community members at the Oromo House.
• Produce and broadcast health-related information, interviews, and program updates in Afaan Oromo language on local media platforms.
• The grant was awarded to eight Community-Based Organizations, which provide important services to their community in the District of Columbia. The OCO is one of them.

The Oromo Community Organization of Washington DC is the non-profit organization established in 1988 exclusively for one or more of the purposes as specified in Section 501(C) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code and its mission is to foster a unity of purpose and networking among the Oromo Diaspora in Washington, DC Metro Area in order to support one another, and to promote the preservation, continuity and development of the Oromo language, culture, traditions, and provide social services.  To implement these major objectives the OCO raises grants from other donors not only the DC government.

However, surprisingly Addis Dimts Radio http://www.addisdimts.com/ host Mr. Abebe Belew conducted an interview with the Deputy Director of Office on African Affairs of DC on November 22, 2014 and argued that why and how the Oromo Community Organization of Washington DC was awarded the FY2015 African Community Grant from the Office of African Affairs (OAA)?

Among the eight grantees mentioned above, including the Ethiopian Community Organization, Mr. Belew singled out emphatically the OCO grant in his emotion emitting questions. He also questioned the integrity of OCO in implementing the grant and urged the Director to make proper scrutiny. What is the motive of Mr. Belew?

For detail, click this link

FYI: Mr. Abebe Belew has a hand in article posted on Washington Post dated April 2, 2012 under the title “As separatists in Ethiopia disarm, a new chapter for D.C’s Oromo community it will change Ethiopia and it will change Washington” That created tremendous confusion among our community members and beyond

For detail, please read the Washington post dated April, 2, 2012.

Professor Gudrun Dahl's ASA 2014 Talk in the Oromo Philosop

Oromo studies scholars bring important issues to the table at ASA meeting in Indianapolis

Fifteen fellow Oromo studies scholars from around the world presented papers on a wide range of topics under six panels, making this the largest presence of any panels from the Horn of Africa in the program as well as actually in the conference rooms of JW Marriot hotel in the beautiful and cold city of November Indianapolis.

A few scholars were new entrants into the field of Oromo Studies with brand new focuses such as gender issues, nagaa, Oromo ecotheology, the state of religions in Oromia and Ethiopia, genocide and land grabbing, among others . Well established topics in social sciences such as the conquest and domination of Oromia by Abyssinian northerners were part of the panels. Veteran Oromo studies scholars reinforced their previous work and introduced some newer developments in their fields.

In contrast, there was not single Ethiopianist panel at this year’s African Studies Association conference. A few angry Habesha walked into one panel and resorted to ad hominem attacks and vented instead of engaging in rational discussions on historical and ongoing issues, including the fact that Menelik II committed genocide and mutilated limbs and breasts in Annoolee and Chelenko in Oromia of the last quarter of 19th century when the Oromo lost half its population to that genocide. The extremist Abyssinians in the room denied that Menelik II chopped of breasts of women, and limbs of men, commonly rendered in Afan Oromo as “Harma Muraa Aannolee and Harka Muraa Calanqoo.”

Ethiopia: The Endless Violence against Oromo Nationals Must be Halted
   HRLHA Fine              Fear of Torture, HRLHA Press Release

__________________________________________________

           November 16, 2014

Harassments and intimidations through arbitrary arrests, indefinite detentions without trial, kidnappings and disappearances have continued unabated in Ambo and the surrounding areas against peaceful protestors since the crackdowns of April, 2014, in which more than 36 Oromos were killed by members of the federal security force.

According to HRLHA correspondents in Ambo, the major target areas of this most recent government-sponsored violence includes Ambo town and the villages of Mida Qagni district in eastern Shewa zone, approximately 25 km south of Ambo Town. More than 20 Oromos, students, teachers and farmers from different villages were arrested beginning November 11, 2014 until the time of the compilation of this press release. According to HRLHA reporters, the arrests were made following the protest by the people of the area against the sale of their farmland by the federal Government of Ethiopia to the investors

Although it has been difficult to identify everyone by their names, HRLHA correspondents have confirmed that the following were among the arrestees

No Name Age Village/Occopation
1 Kitata Regassa 70 Wenni Village, Farmer
2 Tolessa  Teshome 15 Balami High School, 10th grade student
3 Dirre Masho 15 Balami High School 9th grade student
4 Tarku Bulsho 15 Balami  High School10th grade student
5 Yalew Banti Balami High School, Teacher
6 Biyansa Ibbaa 15 Balami High School, 10th grade student
7 Tesfay Biyensa 15 Balami High School, 10th grade student
88 Mangistu Mosisaa Balami, Businessman


On the other hand, in order to clear and smoothen the road to the victory of the election which is to be held in  the coming May, 2015, the TPLF/EPRDF government of Ethiopia has started the campaign of intimidation against it suspects the members of the other political organizations running for the election. Extra-judicial arrests and imprisonments particularly in the regional state of Oromia, the most populous region in the country, has begun starting from the end of October 2014.

In this most recent wave of arrests and imprisonments that has been going on since the 30th of October, 2014, and has touched almost all corners of Oromia, hundreds of Oromos from all walks of life have been apprehended and sent to prison.

According to information obtained from the HRLHA reporters, many Oromos from Wollega, Jimmaa and Illuababor Zones, Western Oromia Regional State, Bale and Borana Southern Oromia Regional State were arrested for being the member of the Oromo Federalist Congress, the Organization operating peacefully in Oromia Regional State.  These members of the opposition political organization were accused with terrorism act and disseminating false and hateful information against the present government of Ethiopia. Among of the detainees, three members Oromo Federalist Congress – Mr. Ahjeb Shek Mohamed. Mr. Mohamed Amin Kalfa and Mr. Naziv Jemal from Jima Zone were sentenced with two years and six months in prison and the fate of the rest detainees is yet unknown,

The Human Rights League of the Horn of Africa (HRLHA) expresses its deep concern over the safety and well-being of these Oromo nationals who have been arrested without any court warrant and are being held at Mida Qagni police station and other at unknown detention centers. The Ethiopian government has a well-documented record of gross and flagrant violations of human rights, including the torturing of its own citizens who were suspected of supporting, sympathizing with and/or being members of the opposition political organizations. There have been credible reports of physical and psychological abuses committed against individuals in Ethiopian official prisons and other secret detention centers.

HRLHA calls upon governments of the West, all local, regional and international human rights agencies to join hands and demand the immediate halt of such kinds of extra-judicial actions against one’s own citizens, and release the detainees without any preconditions.

RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send appeals to the Ethiopian Government and its concerned officials as swiftly as possible, in English, Ahmaric, or your own language

Your concern regarding the apprehension and fear of torture of the citizens who are being held in different detention centers including the infamous Ma’ikelawi Central Investigation Office; and calling for their immediate and unconditional release;
Urging the Ethiopian authorities to ensure that these detainees would be treated in accordance with the regional and international standards on the treatment of prisoners, and  to disclose the whereabouts of the detainees; and
To stop grabbing Oromo land without negotiation with the owners and compensation
Make sure the coming 2015 election is fair and free
Send Your Concerns to:

His Excellency: Mr. Haila Mariam Dessalegn – Prime Minister of Ethiopia
P.O.Box – 1031 Addis Ababa

Telephone – +251 155 20 44; +251 111 32 41

Fax – +251 155 20 30 , +251 15520

Office of Oromiya National Regional State President Office
Telephone –   0115510455

Office of the Ministry of Justice of Ethiopia
PO Box 1370, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Fax: +251 11 5517775; +251 11 5520874 Email: ministry-justice@telecom.net.et

Copied To:

Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights
United Nations Office at Geneva 1211 Geneva 10, Switzerland Fax: + 41 22 917 9022 (particularly for urgent matters) E-mail: tb-petitions@ohchr.org this e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You

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Office of the UNHCR
Telephone: 41 22 739 8111

Fax: 41 22 739 7377

Po Box: 2500

Geneva, Switzerland

African Commission on Human and Peoples‘ Rights (ACHPR)
48 Kairaba Avenue, P.O.Box 673, Banjul, The Gambia.

Tel: (220) 4392 962 , 4372070, 4377721 – 23 Fax: (220) 4390 764

E-mail: achpr@achpr.org

 Office of the Commissioner for Human Rights

Council of Europe
F-67075 Strasbourg Cedex, FRANCE

+ 33 (0)3 88 41 34 21

+ 33 (0)3 90 21 50 53

Contact us by email

U.S. Department of State
Laura Hruby

Ethiopia Desk Officer

U.S. State Department

HrubyLP@state.gov

Tel: (202) 647-6473



Amnesty International – London
Claire Beston

Claire Beston” <Claire.Beston@amnesty.org>,

Human Rights Watch
Felix Hor

“Felix Horne” <hornef@hrw.org>,



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