Tribute to Professor Hamdessa Tuso

A Life Devoted to Knowledge, Justice, and Oromo Unity

We mourn the loss of a towering figure—Professor Hamdessa Tuso, an educator, scholar, and visionary whose life embodied unwavering commitment to the dignity and liberation of the Oromo people. His passing leaves a profound void, but his legacy remains an enduring light.

Professor Hamdessa was among the earliest pioneers of the Arsi Basic School movement, helping ignite a culture of learning across Arsi in Oromia at a time when education itself was a revolutionary act. He saw education not merely as a path to personal advancement, but as a national responsibility—an instrument for awakening, empowerment, and collective progress.

Throughout his life, he championed Tokkumaa Oromoo (Oromo unity) and stood firmly against the colonization of the Oromo mind. His message was consistent and deeply rooted: know who you are, honor your identity, and lift your people with courage and truth. He believed that the liberation of a nation begins with the liberation of its consciousness.

Professor Hamdessa carried a special love for the youth, particularly the Qeerroo generation, whose courage he saw as a continuation of the long arc of Oromo resistance. While generations revered him, he in turn admired their energy, sacrifice, and determination. He often said that the future of Oromia was safest in the hands of its brave young people.

His scholarship was equally remarkable. After completing his early education in Oromia, he pursued higher studies across the world, earning a B.A. in History (Avondale College, Australia, 1972), an M.A. in Conflict Resolution (Andrews University, USA, 1974), and a Ph.D. in Conflict Resolution and Peacebuilding from Michigan State University (1981). His doctoral work examined conflict resolution through the lens of Oromo cultural traditions, enriching global understanding of indigenous peace systems.

Across decades, he served in distinguished academic roles, including:

• Director of International Student Services & Oromo Cultural Affairs, George Mason University (1982–1990)
• Professor of Conflict Resolution, Nova Southeastern University (1998–2004)
• Esau Distinguished Visiting Professor, Menno Simons College, University of Winnipeg (2006–2007)
• Professor of Peace and Conflict Studies, University of Manitoba (2011–2019)

His influential scholarship includes Creating the Third Force: Indigenous Processes of Peacemaking, a landmark work that presents the Oromo Gadaa system as a global model for conflict resolution.

Beyond academia, Professor Hamdessa was a committed advocate for Oromo rights. He collaborated with legendary Oromo leaders—including Guddinaa Tumsaa, Baroo Tumsaa, Mohammed Hassen, Asafa Jalata, and others—strengthening the intellectual and moral foundations of the Oromo movement. He initiated the Shanachaa Jaarsummaa mediation process (2001–2004), dedicating years to healing divisions within the liberation struggle.

Professor Hamdessa was among the earliest honorees of the YUUBAA Award, an annual recognition established in 2023 to celebrate Oromo and non-Oromo elders whose lifelong service has strengthened the Oromo people and advanced the journey of Oromia. His selection for this honor reflected the depth, integrity, and national significance of his contributions.

His service extended internationally. He contributed to the “Immigration and Refugee Forum” in the 1980s, helping secure asylum for thousands of Oromos in the United States. He also participated in the 1991 London Peace Conference, advocating for a just political reordering of Ethiopia.

As a founding force behind the Oromo Studies Association (OSA), and the first OSA president, he nurtured a generation of scholars committed to researching, preserving, and advancing knowledge of Oromo history and culture. Many who sat in his classrooms now serve globally as professors, researchers, human rights advocates, and peacebuilders—living embodiments of the seeds he planted.

Professor Hamdessa Tuso was, in every sense, a son of the Oromo struggle—born into it, shaped by it, and devoted to advancing its cause with intellect, integrity, and resilience. His life’s work forms a monumental chapter in the story of Oromia’s quest for justice and self-determination.

He passed away on November 22, 2025, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. His loss is shared by the entire Oromo nation.

We extend our deepest condolences to his family, relatives, friends, and all who walked alongside him. May they find strength in the immeasurable impact he leaves behind.

Rest in power, Professor Hamdessa Tuso.
Your wisdom endures. Your love for your people lives on. Your legacy will continue to guide generations yet to come.

— OROMIA TODAY Board and Staff Members