Ignorance is our enemy. When we are devoid of facts and logic, all we have is raw emotion. Emotion alone won’t do it. Rewriting fake history, like the fabricated narrative of Barara, won’t change reality. No amount of rhetorical flourish can override the weight of facts. And the fact of the matter is this: Finfinnee is the umbilical cord of Oromia.
Finfinnee, also known as Addis Ababa, is not merely an Oromo city—it is a city that has been central to the tragedies of the Tuulama Oromo people. From the era of Menelik’s expansionist campaigns to the present regime, the killings, displacement, and suffering of the Tuulama Oromo have remained a tragic constant. Leaving aside the genocidal atrocities witnessed and documented by foreign emissaries, even in a timespan as recent as three decades ago, thousands were uprooted in the name of development, their lands taken to build apartheid-style living quarters for the rich in areas like Laga Xaafoo, part of the Shagger city encircling Finfinnee. Those who have been uprooted and dispossessed deserve reparations—justice that should have been enshrined in law when what evolved into the Prosperity Party (PP) regime took power in 2018. But looking back, it was perhaps too much to expect bold justice from the PP regime. The late Obbo Bulchaa Damaqsaa expressed this sentiment of justice and reparations well in a TV interview about five years ago.
So where does this absurd argument come from—the claim that Finfinnee is not an Oromo city?
Could it be the cruel logic that since the Tuulama Oromos were systematically wiped out, the Oromo people no longer have a claim? That twisted reasoning suggests that the erasure of a people justifies denying them their rightful place in history.
What is most astonishing is the sheer insensitivity of those who push this narrative. The aggressor group, instead of acknowledging the injustices of the past, argues for ownership with no sense of shame. I don’t blame them—I pity them. I pity them for their ignorance. Because, contrary to their claims, what the Oromo people deserve is not continued denial, but an honest and heartfelt apology. The peoples of the neighboring regions should acknowledge what was done to the Tuulama Oromos when Finfinee was used as a garrison town for expansionist settlers. What happened does not warrant pride; it demands shame. Not ownership, but relinquishing claims wrapped in an apology.
The demographic makeup of Finfinnee with Oromo minority does not erase its Oromo identity. There are cities in the southern United States with a Spanish-speaking majority, and cities in the UK where white people are no longer the majority. Does that make those cities non-American or non-British? Of course not. It simply reflects the tolerance of the host country, allowing different groups to live and thrive. Finfinnee is no different. Despite its painful history, those descended from the rifle-bearing settlers have not been expelled. They continue to live in the city. But they cannot—and should not—carry on with the entitled mindset of their ancestors.
Consider the incident when the U.S. Embassy used the city’s original Oromo name, ‘Finfinnee,’ in an official bulletin board about a year ago. That single act of acknowledgment sent shockwaves through the Amhara elite worldwide. It triggered a wave of outrage, culminating in a condemnation letter signed by several Amhara figures, demanding the embassy cease and desist.
Why?
What exactly gives them the right to oppose the recognition of a name that has existed long before ‘Addis Ababa’ was imposed? What are their facts and logic? If they have any, let them present them. But history is not on their side. Facts are not on their side. And justice will not be denied forever.
We say “umbilical cord” for its perfect metaphor. Finfinnee is surrounded by Oromos and Oromia. To suggest that it was founded without genocide and displacement is tantamount to believing its inhabitants landed from outer space. That is where the logic of the aggressors falls apart. Let us acknowledge history for what it was and what it is today. Let us transform the shame of historical injustices into an opportunity to honor the Tuulama Oromos rather than disrespect them. Instead of engaging in futile aggression that only deepens social schisms, let us seek symbolic justice that fosters healing and unity. True progress comes from confronting history with honesty and working toward a just and equitable future for all.
The Oromo people proudly recognize Finfinnee not only as their capital city and the seat of the federal government but also as a hub of international significance. It hosts the African Union, numerous embassies, and global organizations, enhancing its status as a vibrant, cosmopolitan city. These elements contribute to a rich and diverse environment that all residents can appreciate and enjoy.
In conclusion, let us, therefore, take this opportunity to temper our belligerence, cross the line of denial, and acknowledge the wrongdoing. Abandon disrespect and honor the victims. Sooner or later, the Oromo people will, as a mere formality, affirm Finfinnee as their cherished historic city. Embracing this historical truth today will pave the way for a brighter future for all.
