Oromia Today

Independent Voice of Oromia

Legal Analysis of Ethiopia’s State of Emergency

1. November 2016 Administrator human rights (1)
HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH
OCTOBER 30, 2016
Human Rights Watch takes the position that for as long as the state of emergency is lawfully in place, all provisions of the directive inconsistent with the derogation provisions of the ICCPR should promptly be repealed or revised. Ethiopia should also recognize that it remains obligated to uphold all articles of the African Charter, which has no derogation provisions. Individuals arbitrarily detained under the provisions or otherwise subject to violations of their human rights should receive redress, including prompt release and appropriate compensation. [More]

That Fateful Day, October 18, 1986||Guyyaattii Bala’amtuu Sana, Onkololessa 18, 1986

15. October 2016 Administrator human rights (2)
By Ibsaa Guutama
October 2016
What was to be heard and done on October 18, 1986 was the worst of all experiences in prison for Oromo political prisoners.All the mentioned comrades wereslaughtered. In addition there were political prisoners brought from Karchallee, affiliated to EPRP, EPLF, TPLF and Jehovah Witness who had been under detention from 6-9 years that met the same fate as the four Oromo comrades. From Maa’ikalaawii prisoners, out of the eighteen fourOromo nationalists,Muhee Abdoo Abbaa Duulaa, Gazaahiny K. Jaarraa, Kabbada Damissee, and Lieutenant Yiggazuu Waaqee were included. Most Oromo prisoners were imprisoned starting December 1979. They were all never given court hearing, they were also never charged except the sufferings they received in torture rooms. [More]

What We Had, What was Taken from Us, What We Will Reclaim: The Oromo Irreecha Festival Revisited and Reinterpreted

2. October 2016 Administrator (1)
By Professor Mekuria Bulcha

Lately, the Irreecha tradition has also caught the attention of the United Nations Economic and Scientific Commission (UNESCO). Last year, UNESCO’s representative in Ethiopia Mr. Alpha Wright visited the Lake Arsadee festival told millions of Oromos and others that Irreecha is an important landmark in the history of mankind and that it will be soon registered as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Article 2, of the UNESCO Convention of 2003 defines “Intangible cultural heritage” as “the practices, representations, expressions, knowledge, skills - as well as the instruments, objects and cultural spaces associated therewith - that communities, groups, and in some cases, individuals recognize as part of their cultural heritage.”[4] [More]

An Independent Oromia is Inevitable

10. September 2016 Administrator (1)
By Gumaa Guddaa

Oromia was forcefully annexed to a neighboring country called Abyssinia at the end of the 19th century during the scramble for Africa. It was once an independent sovereign nation which has, since the annexation, been occupied by foreign powers and inevitably needs to regain its freedom. [More]

Dhudhaa Malbulcha Oromoo fi Sodaa Halagaa Hambisuu

2. September 2016 Administrator community (0)
Ibsaa Guutama

Akeeki qabsoo Oromoo empayericha diiguu dha. Garu sun dhuma Itophiyaa taha jechuun waan kolfaatii. Itophiyaa kan dhabamsiisu walabummaa kolonootaa utuu hin tahin yoo kanneen durumaanuu maqicha guddifatan, Habashaan ittiin of waamuu dhiisani. Jalqabumaayyuu yoo guddifatan, Oromiyaan isaan jala hin turree. Itophiyaa tursuunis dhabamsiisuunis dantaa saaniitii. Haa tahu malee sun Oromoo hin laalu. Kan Oromoo ilaalu empayera ofirraa fonqolchuu dha. [More]

Oromo Political Tradition and Ending Aliens Fears

2. September 2016 Administrator community (1)
By Ibsaa Guutama

For many years diplomats had been asking “Do the Oromo know what they want”. The Oromo know what they want, but their messengers lying abroad had been equivocal and communicated in the way they understood body language of their clients rather than delivering what their people desired. The diplomats were thus right; those they meet were pretending to represent their people while working against it in cahoots with adversaries. That is why they are shy or in denial to talk about “independence” to the face of the enemy while their people are openly calling for it. [More]

The Atse v. Gadaa Tradition: Contradictory Governing Principles in Ethiopian Politics

18. August 2016 Administrator community (1)
By Professor Guluma Gemeda*

To get to a democratic path, the mentality, the governance practices and political structures that sustain the atse culture should be totally revamped and replaced by open consensual democratic institutions. However, the mentality is so entrenched and the idea of integration seriously damaged, the chances of keeping the empire together is slipping away every day. [More]