Just looking at the day to day life of Oromo people and Oromo politician, I kind of felt that, there is something is missing. May be we are not too ambitious or we would not like to pay the price. Whatever the reason behind, we are not set out to do big thing. We are lucking in thinking big. Think about your life and left me know if this is not ture.
Speak out Oromo!
Wednesday
Thursday
Can you do what it takes?
Most of us know what it takes to free Oromia but do any of us willing to pay that price? I don't think so. It sad but true! Most of my fellow Oromos exactly know what it takes to win the war against neftegna but most of us are not willing to that pay price. We always expect someone else to pay this price. We expect some other poor kids to go and die for Oromo cause. Doesn't matter who you are, the bottom line is, either pay the price that needed to defeat neftegna or shut up and enjoy your life as a slave. It doesn't matter where you live in the world you are still slave. Escaping to country where other died for there freedom doesn't make you a free man...
Speak Out Oromo!
Speak Out Oromo!
Saturday
Taking a position on Somalia issue is not in the best interest of Oromo!
I am the only one lost in the direction OLF is going or are you my fellow Oromos have the same issue. Is OLF hoping from issue to another with no clear understanding in what they are doing? I am sure many of you say, “OLF never had clear objective and direction”. I agree to that statement in part. Currently what OLF is doing is so confusing and it very hard to tell where it is heading to.
Take a look at the statement made by Lencho Bati (Spokesman for the Oromo Liberation Front) below.
“
Somalia could become Ethiopia's "graveyard" if it intervenes against a burgeoning Islamist movement, an Ethiopian rebel group warned on Tuesday.
"Unless Ethiopia pulls out of Somalia, the Somali people will be an angry, hungry lion, and the last thing they want is to be poked and provoked by Ethiopia," Lencho Bati, spokesman for the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF), told Reuters.”
How is this statement representing Oromo people interest? How is that related to OLF and its movement? None at all! This statement is taken entirely out of the mouth of Islamic court movement in Somalia. Mr. Bati supposes to speak in behalf of OROMO people not in behalf of Somalia opposition. I don’t think Somalia people need Lencho’s help to resolve their internal matters. I think OLF need to represent Oromo’s interest and medaling in neighboring country affairs will do just the opposite. By the way, did just OLF form coloration with other opposition group representing Ethiopian interest? How will that play out then?
I think this a time for OLF to start thinking twice before they OPEN their BIG mouth. The part also should consider about changing their “mouth piece”. It is necessary to put in place more diplomatic person in place. Because you are the mouth piece you should not open your mouth if it does not represent your people interest.
Speak out Oromo!
Take a look at the statement made by Lencho Bati (Spokesman for the Oromo Liberation Front) below.
“
Somalia could become Ethiopia's "graveyard" if it intervenes against a burgeoning Islamist movement, an Ethiopian rebel group warned on Tuesday.
"Unless Ethiopia pulls out of Somalia, the Somali people will be an angry, hungry lion, and the last thing they want is to be poked and provoked by Ethiopia," Lencho Bati, spokesman for the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF), told Reuters.”
How is this statement representing Oromo people interest? How is that related to OLF and its movement? None at all! This statement is taken entirely out of the mouth of Islamic court movement in Somalia. Mr. Bati supposes to speak in behalf of OROMO people not in behalf of Somalia opposition. I don’t think Somalia people need Lencho’s help to resolve their internal matters. I think OLF need to represent Oromo’s interest and medaling in neighboring country affairs will do just the opposite. By the way, did just OLF form coloration with other opposition group representing Ethiopian interest? How will that play out then?
I think this a time for OLF to start thinking twice before they OPEN their BIG mouth. The part also should consider about changing their “mouth piece”. It is necessary to put in place more diplomatic person in place. Because you are the mouth piece you should not open your mouth if it does not represent your people interest.
Speak out Oromo!
Thursday
Why dip your F.. nose in someone else business?
This is typical of Ethiopian government. They just run after their neighbor business when they could not come up with the solution for themselves. What is the point of Ethiopia going to war with Somali? What is in it for Ethiopia? Are they trying to be a super power of East Africa? Somalis are screwed up people and there is no solution to their problem. They are not any better than their own mules. I just feel sorry for Oromo kids that will be sent out there to die for no Sh…
Take this Somalis, they have one religion, one language and they pretty much one clan. But they still managed to figure out how to screw each other a…
Click her to read the news
Take this Somalis, they have one religion, one language and they pretty much one clan. But they still managed to figure out how to screw each other a…
Click her to read the news
Wednesday
Here goes the marriage!
The Coalition for Unity and Democracy Party (CUDP) said Thursday that it was surprised to hear that the party is a member of a new front called "Alliance for Freedom and Democracy." In a statement it issued CUDP said that though the formation of an opposition front in foreign countries was not a new phenomenon, it was not involved in the formation of the new front, and so far not a member of the so-called front.
CUDP added that as a legally registered party operating in the country, it has no interest to create a front with elements that want to engage in armed struggle.
The party underlined that it would strive to realize its objectives only through peaceful means based on the constitutions and other laws of the land.
According to the party, no one can speak about the destructive outcome of armed struggle more than Ethiopians, and the feeling of enmity and killing each other should stop.
The party strongly said that CUDP does not accept any call that is contrary to the legal and peaceful method of struggle, and urged individuals operating in foreign countries in the name of CUDP to refrain from irresponsible activities.
AA
CUDP added that as a legally registered party operating in the country, it has no interest to create a front with elements that want to engage in armed struggle.
The party underlined that it would strive to realize its objectives only through peaceful means based on the constitutions and other laws of the land.
According to the party, no one can speak about the destructive outcome of armed struggle more than Ethiopians, and the feeling of enmity and killing each other should stop.
The party strongly said that CUDP does not accept any call that is contrary to the legal and peaceful method of struggle, and urged individuals operating in foreign countries in the name of CUDP to refrain from irresponsible activities.
AA
Tuesday
This is what I call it, “match made in heaven”. OLF & CUD? Come on!
Statement announcing the formation of the Alliance for Freedom and Democracy A historic meeting convened, by the Coalition for Unity and Democracy Party (CUDP), the Ethiopian People's Patriotic Front (EPPF), the Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF), the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF), the Sidama Liberation Front (SLF) and the United Ethiopian Democratic Forces (UEDF), at Utrecht in Netherlands, from 19 to 22 of May 2006 has successfully completed by forming the Alliance for Freedom and Democracy (AFD) and elected its officers. The UEDF supports the formation of the alliance and its objectives and has requested a month to consult its member organizations. The formation of the Alliance is an outcome of a series of bilateral and multilateral discussions conducted in the past several months. The Founding Agreement has been unanimously accepted and ratified by all members of the Alliance. The formation of this Alliance reflects the aspirations and best wishes of all people in Ethiopia whose life has been blighted by political repression, marginalization and exclusion.
The ultimate aim of the Alliance is to establish a just, representative and a genuine democratic process through the convening of an all-inclusive conference where the country’s problems will be discussed and resolved.
We are confident that the formation of this Alliance will be a vehicle to eliminate mistrust and suspicion between political groups and communities so that all will work together in the spirit of mutual understanding and to the benefit and well-being of all. We believe the collective effort behind the Alliance will put an end to the existing destructive mentality of winner takes all and the habitual indifference towards the excluded. The Alliance aspires to purposefully cultivate the values of compromise, tolerance, inclusion, reconciliation and mutual understanding. That is the only way to end the underlying causes of repression, bloodshed, insecurity, political instability and exclusion in Ethiopia and the region, which are inflicting severe hardships and suffering on all people, and seriously hampers the prospects for development and the attainment of equality, justice and prosperity.
Time and time again the people in Ethiopia have risen up and paid unimaginable sacrifice to satisfy their yearning for freedom, justice, liberty and democracy. The struggle and the sacrifice that is being paid in relation to the May 15 2005 election is a recent addition to the series of quashed aspirations.
Our people have demonstrated their readiness and ability that a just and democratic political order is feasible in Ethiopia. What stands between the aspiration for freedom and democracy and its realization is the unwillingness of the incumbent EPRDF regime to submit to the expressed will of the people and its flagrant violations of human rights and civil liberties and failure to even respect and abide by its very own constitution.
The Alliance will therefore struggle to pressure the ruling party to stop frustrating the realization of the yearning for freedom and democracy. The Alliance would use its generous spirit of inclusiveness in convening the conference that would facilitate a way towards the establishment of a democratic and representative order.
We call upon all the people in Ethiopia, both at home and abroad, to rise up in unison to support the cause of the Alliance and struggle to make the convening of the conference, which paves the way for a democratic transition, a reality. The struggle should continue to challenge the current spate of repression in the country, halt the futile and destructive military campaigns, security crackdowns and end the farcical political trial of elected members of parliament and others and to free all political prisoners, including those detained in the small towns and villages.
We also call upon the international community to realize that dialogue and good-faith negotiation offers the only way to achieve a lasting solution and back the alliance's call for this all-inclusive conference to break the current impasse. We hope the international community will realize that peace and stability, sustainable development and good governance can be a reality in Ethiopia only when the disfranchisement of the many by the few is stopped and by bringing all the stakeholders together to chart a genuinely democratic course.
Ethiopian's problems are immense and grossly complicated. Convening an all-inclusive conference to address them is well over due. We do not underestimate the obstacles and challenges facing us. However, with patience and perseverance we are certain that we will succeed.
The Alliance would hold a Press Conference to lay out its vision and work programs in detail.
Freedom and Democracy for all!
The ultimate aim of the Alliance is to establish a just, representative and a genuine democratic process through the convening of an all-inclusive conference where the country’s problems will be discussed and resolved.
We are confident that the formation of this Alliance will be a vehicle to eliminate mistrust and suspicion between political groups and communities so that all will work together in the spirit of mutual understanding and to the benefit and well-being of all. We believe the collective effort behind the Alliance will put an end to the existing destructive mentality of winner takes all and the habitual indifference towards the excluded. The Alliance aspires to purposefully cultivate the values of compromise, tolerance, inclusion, reconciliation and mutual understanding. That is the only way to end the underlying causes of repression, bloodshed, insecurity, political instability and exclusion in Ethiopia and the region, which are inflicting severe hardships and suffering on all people, and seriously hampers the prospects for development and the attainment of equality, justice and prosperity.
Time and time again the people in Ethiopia have risen up and paid unimaginable sacrifice to satisfy their yearning for freedom, justice, liberty and democracy. The struggle and the sacrifice that is being paid in relation to the May 15 2005 election is a recent addition to the series of quashed aspirations.
Our people have demonstrated their readiness and ability that a just and democratic political order is feasible in Ethiopia. What stands between the aspiration for freedom and democracy and its realization is the unwillingness of the incumbent EPRDF regime to submit to the expressed will of the people and its flagrant violations of human rights and civil liberties and failure to even respect and abide by its very own constitution.
The Alliance will therefore struggle to pressure the ruling party to stop frustrating the realization of the yearning for freedom and democracy. The Alliance would use its generous spirit of inclusiveness in convening the conference that would facilitate a way towards the establishment of a democratic and representative order.
We call upon all the people in Ethiopia, both at home and abroad, to rise up in unison to support the cause of the Alliance and struggle to make the convening of the conference, which paves the way for a democratic transition, a reality. The struggle should continue to challenge the current spate of repression in the country, halt the futile and destructive military campaigns, security crackdowns and end the farcical political trial of elected members of parliament and others and to free all political prisoners, including those detained in the small towns and villages.
We also call upon the international community to realize that dialogue and good-faith negotiation offers the only way to achieve a lasting solution and back the alliance's call for this all-inclusive conference to break the current impasse. We hope the international community will realize that peace and stability, sustainable development and good governance can be a reality in Ethiopia only when the disfranchisement of the many by the few is stopped and by bringing all the stakeholders together to chart a genuinely democratic course.
Ethiopian's problems are immense and grossly complicated. Convening an all-inclusive conference to address them is well over due. We do not underestimate the obstacles and challenges facing us. However, with patience and perseverance we are certain that we will succeed.
The Alliance would hold a Press Conference to lay out its vision and work programs in detail.
Freedom and Democracy for all!
Friday
Wayane will continue to kill as long as it mean remaining on power
This long adapted tactic manipulated by Wayane it seems working so far. The recent bombing in Finfine is a prim example of Wayane's ill-conceived tactic to silence the oppositions. The issue also looks divisive among people of Ethiopia. Half of the Average people in Ethiopia think this crime is trurly committed by oppositions. The other half knew that this is not a work of oppositions. The situation gives Wayane a breathing room and more power to harass peaceful people regardless of their political view. Give Wayane excuse to send people to jail for no reason. Here I am not saying opposition like CUD are totally clean. This group also will not back from taking advantage of the situation.
Oromos are also blamed to be part of this crime but I highly doubt if that the case. In any case this is crime that been committed against humanity and each of us has a responsibility to expose it
Speak out Oromo!
Oromos are also blamed to be part of this crime but I highly doubt if that the case. In any case this is crime that been committed against humanity and each of us has a responsibility to expose it
Speak out Oromo!
Thursday
Trickle-Up Leadership
Trickle-Up Leadership
"If people are too intimidated or too reluctant to help their leaders lead, their leaders will fail," says Michael Useem, management professor at the Wharton School and the author of a new book about how you can take control -- even when you're not in com
by Bill Breen
photographs by Kate Swan
from FC issue 52, page 70
In a tough business climate -- and even in boom times, for that matter -- it's only natural to want to trust the people in the executive suite. After all, they know what they're doing, right? Not so fast, says Michael Useem in Leading Up: How to Lead Your Boss So You Both Win, due out this month from Crown Business. Sometimes, even the people upstairs need help. "If people are afraid to help their leaders lead, their leaders will fail," says Useem, a professor of management at the Wharton School and the director of its Center for Leadership and Change Management. In an interview with Fast Company, Useem talked about how to take control even when you're not in command.
It's up to each of us to lead our leaders.
As technology evolves and organizations decentralize, people on the front lines have far more independence and responsibility. They are closer to the market and closer to how their product is used. They can see what their leaders are missing. When leaders falter, it's up to the rest of us to step up and help them lead. But leading up is not some noble calling: When you help those above you avoid a bad deal or seize an opportunity, you improve your whole organization's performance.
You've got to speak up to lead up.
In the Marines, the ultimate command-and-control institution, if their superior issues a flawed order, officers are expected to point out the flaws before that order goes into effect. That's the example set by Peter Pace, commander in chief at the U.S. Southern Command in Miami. A four-star general like Pace is an intimidating, big-deal guy. But Pace never ends a meeting without asking his subordinates to tell him what they each think. By challenging them to challenge him, Pace reinforces a culture where everyone is inspired to lead up.
Before you lead up, you've got to team up.
Leading up is riskier in down times. You get close to that CSM point -- the Career Shortening Move -- when you challenge a boss at a time when people are being laid off. David Pottruck, the number-two executive for Charles Schwab Corp., learned this the hard way. When he was president of Schwab's operating company, Pottruck frequently clashed with his boss, Larry Stupski, at top-management meetings. Whatever Stupski proposed, Pottruck tended to oppose. The result was that most of the other executives sided with Stupski, the senior of the two.
Pottruck made two big mistakes: He failed to recruit other people to his cause, and he disagreed disagreeably. He was arguing up instead of leading up, and he was almost forced out of the company. But then he met with Stupski and proposed a solution: He would never publicly argue with him again. He might disagree, but he would do so only in private. In the months that followed, Pottruck learned a critical lesson: By questioning his boss behind closed doors only, he got his ideas into the room and kept the power struggle out of it.
Try to be all things to everybody, and you'll be nothing to anybody.
Many of us report to more than one project leader, and that represents a difficult challenge: How do you meet the demands of multiple managers who often disagree with one another? General Pace reported to no fewer than six immediate superiors. His solution was to follow a policy of full disclosure. He informed each of his bosses of what he was recommending to the others -- especially when he knew that one of those higher-ups would disagree with the recommendation. A case in point: when Wesley Clark, the European commander in chief, wanted U.S. Marine troops in the Balkans. Pace thought it was a bad idea. He was quick to tell Clark: "If you want them, they're yours. But when the Pentagon asks what I think, I'll oppose your plan for the following reasons."
That's a tough message to deliver. But Pace knew that by preemptively disclosing his disagreement with Clark, he was boosting his own credibility. His superiors could be confident that Pace would speak truth to power. Leaders don't have confidence in yes-men.
Which company has done the most to embrace the concept of upward leadership? The answer, says management professor Michael Useem, is General Electric. "GE has an extremely hard-hitting culture," says Useem. "But everyone is expected to challenge their leaders, even if it means challenging Jack Welch himself." To encourage its people to lead up, GE launched a program for mentoring up.
For many years, GE had required veteran leaders to mentor the next generation of top talent. But two years ago, when Welch realized that the Web would change everything, he asked 600 of his worldwide executives to reach down into the ranks and pick younger, Webified people to teach them the ways of the Net.
In his new book, Leading Up, Useem quotes Welch: "E-business knowledge is generally inversely proportional to both age and height in the organization." Mentoring up, Welch says, was intended to "change that equilibrium." Welch himself led the charge by picking Pam Wickham, who ran GE's main Web site, to be his Net coach.
The one-on-one sessions did more than give executives a crash course on the Web. They demonstrated that leadership is a two-way street: "Mid-level managers reported that they had become more comfortable in feeding ideas upstairs and pressing their bosses to change," writes Useem. "Top-level managers reported they had become more comfortable in eliciting insights from below." Bottom line: Reverse mentoring gets people to challenge their leaders -- and it helps leaders do a better job of leading.
Contact Michael Useem by email ( useem@wharton.upenn.edu )
"If people are too intimidated or too reluctant to help their leaders lead, their leaders will fail," says Michael Useem, management professor at the Wharton School and the author of a new book about how you can take control -- even when you're not in com
by Bill Breen
photographs by Kate Swan
from FC issue 52, page 70
In a tough business climate -- and even in boom times, for that matter -- it's only natural to want to trust the people in the executive suite. After all, they know what they're doing, right? Not so fast, says Michael Useem in Leading Up: How to Lead Your Boss So You Both Win, due out this month from Crown Business. Sometimes, even the people upstairs need help. "If people are afraid to help their leaders lead, their leaders will fail," says Useem, a professor of management at the Wharton School and the director of its Center for Leadership and Change Management. In an interview with Fast Company, Useem talked about how to take control even when you're not in command.
It's up to each of us to lead our leaders.
As technology evolves and organizations decentralize, people on the front lines have far more independence and responsibility. They are closer to the market and closer to how their product is used. They can see what their leaders are missing. When leaders falter, it's up to the rest of us to step up and help them lead. But leading up is not some noble calling: When you help those above you avoid a bad deal or seize an opportunity, you improve your whole organization's performance.
You've got to speak up to lead up.
In the Marines, the ultimate command-and-control institution, if their superior issues a flawed order, officers are expected to point out the flaws before that order goes into effect. That's the example set by Peter Pace, commander in chief at the U.S. Southern Command in Miami. A four-star general like Pace is an intimidating, big-deal guy. But Pace never ends a meeting without asking his subordinates to tell him what they each think. By challenging them to challenge him, Pace reinforces a culture where everyone is inspired to lead up.
Before you lead up, you've got to team up.
Leading up is riskier in down times. You get close to that CSM point -- the Career Shortening Move -- when you challenge a boss at a time when people are being laid off. David Pottruck, the number-two executive for Charles Schwab Corp., learned this the hard way. When he was president of Schwab's operating company, Pottruck frequently clashed with his boss, Larry Stupski, at top-management meetings. Whatever Stupski proposed, Pottruck tended to oppose. The result was that most of the other executives sided with Stupski, the senior of the two.
Pottruck made two big mistakes: He failed to recruit other people to his cause, and he disagreed disagreeably. He was arguing up instead of leading up, and he was almost forced out of the company. But then he met with Stupski and proposed a solution: He would never publicly argue with him again. He might disagree, but he would do so only in private. In the months that followed, Pottruck learned a critical lesson: By questioning his boss behind closed doors only, he got his ideas into the room and kept the power struggle out of it.
Try to be all things to everybody, and you'll be nothing to anybody.
Many of us report to more than one project leader, and that represents a difficult challenge: How do you meet the demands of multiple managers who often disagree with one another? General Pace reported to no fewer than six immediate superiors. His solution was to follow a policy of full disclosure. He informed each of his bosses of what he was recommending to the others -- especially when he knew that one of those higher-ups would disagree with the recommendation. A case in point: when Wesley Clark, the European commander in chief, wanted U.S. Marine troops in the Balkans. Pace thought it was a bad idea. He was quick to tell Clark: "If you want them, they're yours. But when the Pentagon asks what I think, I'll oppose your plan for the following reasons."
That's a tough message to deliver. But Pace knew that by preemptively disclosing his disagreement with Clark, he was boosting his own credibility. His superiors could be confident that Pace would speak truth to power. Leaders don't have confidence in yes-men.
Which company has done the most to embrace the concept of upward leadership? The answer, says management professor Michael Useem, is General Electric. "GE has an extremely hard-hitting culture," says Useem. "But everyone is expected to challenge their leaders, even if it means challenging Jack Welch himself." To encourage its people to lead up, GE launched a program for mentoring up.
For many years, GE had required veteran leaders to mentor the next generation of top talent. But two years ago, when Welch realized that the Web would change everything, he asked 600 of his worldwide executives to reach down into the ranks and pick younger, Webified people to teach them the ways of the Net.
In his new book, Leading Up, Useem quotes Welch: "E-business knowledge is generally inversely proportional to both age and height in the organization." Mentoring up, Welch says, was intended to "change that equilibrium." Welch himself led the charge by picking Pam Wickham, who ran GE's main Web site, to be his Net coach.
The one-on-one sessions did more than give executives a crash course on the Web. They demonstrated that leadership is a two-way street: "Mid-level managers reported that they had become more comfortable in feeding ideas upstairs and pressing their bosses to change," writes Useem. "Top-level managers reported they had become more comfortable in eliciting insights from below." Bottom line: Reverse mentoring gets people to challenge their leaders -- and it helps leaders do a better job of leading.
Contact Michael Useem by email ( useem@wharton.upenn.edu )
Monday
Saturday
We are finally recognized as Oromo American. Hmmmmmmm
McCollum Statement on Ethiopia's Troubled Internal Situation
Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Betty McCollum (MN-04) made the following statement on March 28th for a hearing of the House International Relations Subcommittee on Africa and Global Human Rights regarding the internal political situation in Ethiopia. Following the national elections in May 2005, the Ethiopian government killed as many as 88 people and arrested thousands of student protesters during two waves of protests in June and November. The hearing examined human rights violations by the Ethiopian government and the U.S. response. The following is Rep. McCollum’s statement:
“Mr. Chairman, this is an important hearing and I appreciate your willingness to examine the current situation in Ethiopia.
“I am very proud to represent many Ethiopian Americans and Oromo Americans in my Minnesota district. They have met with my office frequently expressing grave concerns regarding the political repression and chronic human rights abuses occurring in Ethiopia under the current regime.
“Let state for the record, I strongly support the people of Ethiopia and will continue to stand with them in their very challenging efforts to overcome extreme poverty, a deadly absence of any healthcare, and of course years of chronic food insecurity. I also stand with them in their effort to have their voices heard in a free and democratic society.
“Unfortunately, the current leadership’s political repression, massacres and extreme human rights abuses clearly demonstrate a government that is not on the path to democracy, but committed to retaining power at any cost. Mostly free elections accompanied with massacres of pro-democracy demonstrators cast a dark shadow on the prospects for freedom and democracy.
“I believe the American people reject the notion that a regime that massacres innocent citizens can be called a friend and partner of the United States. Ethiopia should be held to the same standard as any nation that is a friend of the U.S. – a standard in which freedom, justice and accountability are values we judge our friends by and state-sponsored massacres, torture and massive detentions are condemned.
“I know the Chairman has introduced legislation, HR 4423, that may be marked up in the near future. Mr. Chairman, like you, I want human rights defended, democracy promoted and freedom – political freedom and freedom from hunger, disease and misery – extended for all Ethiopians.
“In its present form, your bill does not place our government on a path to achieve these goals, therefore I cannot support it. I would like to work with you and all of our colleagues on this subcommittee to strengthen your bill to ensure that the U.S. supports freedom and true democracy for the Ethiopian people and not an extension of the status quo that has proven deadly and repressive to far too many people.”
Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Betty McCollum (MN-04) made the following statement on March 28th for a hearing of the House International Relations Subcommittee on Africa and Global Human Rights regarding the internal political situation in Ethiopia. Following the national elections in May 2005, the Ethiopian government killed as many as 88 people and arrested thousands of student protesters during two waves of protests in June and November. The hearing examined human rights violations by the Ethiopian government and the U.S. response. The following is Rep. McCollum’s statement:
“Mr. Chairman, this is an important hearing and I appreciate your willingness to examine the current situation in Ethiopia.
“I am very proud to represent many Ethiopian Americans and Oromo Americans in my Minnesota district. They have met with my office frequently expressing grave concerns regarding the political repression and chronic human rights abuses occurring in Ethiopia under the current regime.
“Let state for the record, I strongly support the people of Ethiopia and will continue to stand with them in their very challenging efforts to overcome extreme poverty, a deadly absence of any healthcare, and of course years of chronic food insecurity. I also stand with them in their effort to have their voices heard in a free and democratic society.
“Unfortunately, the current leadership’s political repression, massacres and extreme human rights abuses clearly demonstrate a government that is not on the path to democracy, but committed to retaining power at any cost. Mostly free elections accompanied with massacres of pro-democracy demonstrators cast a dark shadow on the prospects for freedom and democracy.
“I believe the American people reject the notion that a regime that massacres innocent citizens can be called a friend and partner of the United States. Ethiopia should be held to the same standard as any nation that is a friend of the U.S. – a standard in which freedom, justice and accountability are values we judge our friends by and state-sponsored massacres, torture and massive detentions are condemned.
“I know the Chairman has introduced legislation, HR 4423, that may be marked up in the near future. Mr. Chairman, like you, I want human rights defended, democracy promoted and freedom – political freedom and freedom from hunger, disease and misery – extended for all Ethiopians.
“In its present form, your bill does not place our government on a path to achieve these goals, therefore I cannot support it. I would like to work with you and all of our colleagues on this subcommittee to strengthen your bill to ensure that the U.S. supports freedom and true democracy for the Ethiopian people and not an extension of the status quo that has proven deadly and repressive to far too many people.”
Friday
Now this is what I call effective leadership!
A good friend of mien from Minnesota calls me the other day to tell me about a phone call he received from one group of OLF function. The message was left on his answering machine. He was very surprise and upset by the content of this message. The message basically states that he should not allowed or he should not be going to the meeting called by the other function of OLF that was suppose to be going on last weekend.
I am not so sure if this is a way to follow for any of the OLF leadership. I do not think calling individuals and telling them what to do or not is the best approach to dram up support for your organization. After all are we struggle for freedom of choice, the freedom to chose what meeting to attend or not. Should we be dictated by one or another groups. Are we actually losing focus here? Who is the enemy? This is the way how we want to lead this or any other Oromo organization? I will let my fellow Oromo to answer that.
Speak Out Oromo!
I am not so sure if this is a way to follow for any of the OLF leadership. I do not think calling individuals and telling them what to do or not is the best approach to dram up support for your organization. After all are we struggle for freedom of choice, the freedom to chose what meeting to attend or not. Should we be dictated by one or another groups. Are we actually losing focus here? Who is the enemy? This is the way how we want to lead this or any other Oromo organization? I will let my fellow Oromo to answer that.
Speak Out Oromo!
Thursday
Is the OLF taking credit for Wayane's evil conspiracy?
The last time I visited Oromia it was a joke to blame car accident on OLF. This comes basically from the government falls propaganda that this been a norm in Ethiopia. Now it is typical for Wayane to go around and plant a bomb and blame it on OLF. The people in Oromia know that each of this blast has nothing to do with OLF or any other Oromo organizations but for Oromos it is creating negative publicity around the world. You might say any publicity is a good one but in today terrorist infested world I do not think it will help Oromo cause.
I am just hoping all Oromo organizations out there to come out and oppose this negative propaganda. The united we stand the better chance of wining anything. We can always agree to disagree on the Oromo internal issue but when it comes to our enemy we should stand as one.
I have one suggestion for OLF. Stop campaigning against functions among yourself and just focus on what you should. I am kind of lost in what you should out to do though
Speak Out Oromo!
I am just hoping all Oromo organizations out there to come out and oppose this negative propaganda. The united we stand the better chance of wining anything. We can always agree to disagree on the Oromo internal issue but when it comes to our enemy we should stand as one.
I have one suggestion for OLF. Stop campaigning against functions among yourself and just focus on what you should. I am kind of lost in what you should out to do though
Speak Out Oromo!
Tuesday
How long we are going to be acting as outsider?
How long are we going to act like outsider?
To me Oromo are getting more and more frustrated and exclude themselves from actively participating in the political process of Oromia and Oromo organization outside Oromia. I know someone is going to jump on my throat for suggesting to take political part in Ethiopia empire. But the truth is if we like it or not our participation is a key to defeat Neftegna and establish free Oromia.
As I see it now we gave up everything, including the right to participate in political process. The worst part of that is we are not doing anything when it comes to Arm struggle. So tell me what we are doing? Tell me how we are planning to get to free Oromia. May be waiting for Neftegnas to hand us over. Remember this my fellow Oromos, freedom never comes free, it requires struggle in all front. Rather sitting in the coffee shop and talk how bad one Oromo organization compare to another, get yourself involved in this struggle and make a difference. Until you do that, there is no freedom. The political power will change hand between Tigre or Amhara and you Oromo will remain slave as you have been for the last 100 years and 100 to come :(
Speak Out Oromo!
To me Oromo are getting more and more frustrated and exclude themselves from actively participating in the political process of Oromia and Oromo organization outside Oromia. I know someone is going to jump on my throat for suggesting to take political part in Ethiopia empire. But the truth is if we like it or not our participation is a key to defeat Neftegna and establish free Oromia.
As I see it now we gave up everything, including the right to participate in political process. The worst part of that is we are not doing anything when it comes to Arm struggle. So tell me what we are doing? Tell me how we are planning to get to free Oromia. May be waiting for Neftegnas to hand us over. Remember this my fellow Oromos, freedom never comes free, it requires struggle in all front. Rather sitting in the coffee shop and talk how bad one Oromo organization compare to another, get yourself involved in this struggle and make a difference. Until you do that, there is no freedom. The political power will change hand between Tigre or Amhara and you Oromo will remain slave as you have been for the last 100 years and 100 to come :(
Speak Out Oromo!
Wednesday
Are we run away from Oromo issues in the name of religion?
I said YES and I would like to know if someone would think otherwise. I am up to hear your take on this.
Speak Out Oromo!
Speak Out Oromo!
Monday
Happy first day of spring
For Oromos living in US today is the first day of spring and I wish you all the best and may Oromo God give you a courage to stand up and speak for the voice less. Be a voice for the voice less brother and sister of yours you left them behind.
Speak out Oromo!
Speak out Oromo!
Tuesday
An Oromo Quote
"In order to succeed, your desire for success should be greater than
your fear of failure"
Author unknown
your fear of failure"
Author unknown
Monday
Oromo you are only responsible for your happiness!
We Oromos spent quite sometime to please other people. We in general think we have some sort of responsibility to take care of other people and other people feelings. If you see a group of 5 people sitting at the coffee shop and if one ended up being non-Oromo speaker we chose to speak with the language that person speaks. We go extra mile to accommodate that individual. We think we have some sort of responsibility for that person short coming. In contrary we are discouraging people from respecting our language and respect us. You can take an example of Neftegnas living in Oromia. They lived there for years and bother to learn our language. We spent to much time to take care of other people than focusing on doing ourselves.
Moral of the story: If you want to be respected first you will need to respect yourself and your language. Then other people we do the same. If you do not give a respect for who you are no one does. And you will spent your pathetic life as been looked down by people who don't know how to take care of their own shit. You will die unhappy! and so your kids, grand kids, ...
Speak Out Oromo!
Moral of the story: If you want to be respected first you will need to respect yourself and your language. Then other people we do the same. If you do not give a respect for who you are no one does. And you will spent your pathetic life as been looked down by people who don't know how to take care of their own shit. You will die unhappy! and so your kids, grand kids, ...
Speak Out Oromo!
Friday
Why Oromos are not speaking out against genocide in Oromia?
I see a news about Oromo student and peace loving human being killed here and there in Oromia but I do not hear any outrage from either the so called Oromo organizations or media. I am the only one puzzled by this or there are other Oromo individuals like me. If you happen to be there please say to me few words!
Speak out Oromo!
Speak out Oromo!
Who are you to criticize Ali Birra’s recent move to Oromia?
In most Oromo discussion board I read people bad mouth Ali for moving back home or for his interview with addis tribune. Some of the criticism are baseless and far from the truth. No one know what Ali’s real motivation to move back home. For him this might be strategic move. Ali is a timeless inspiration to Oromo people. He touched and thought most us by the way of his songs. He has been forefront of oromo movement. When most of us were hiding behind our bed room door his was out there on the stage. That braveness is still in him today. How many of you out there dare to move back home or even dare to visit.
We are losing valuable time talking about by not acting. We just stand on the side line as cheer leader. The only difference is we are not wearing skimpy outfit and no pump pump in our hand. If you really want to fight wayanee or habesha ruling you will need to be in the heart of Oromia. You can not do it remotely. In history no one won his liberation by fighting from remote. If we spend in a coffee shop talking and criticizing about individual moves it will not get us any where. Especially, criticizing individuals who have been given so much to us, through out their lives. Just question yourself what have I done? What is my contribution? How do I make change? … before opening your mouth or before start typing. You are just giving a boost to enemy when you start hammering one of your own. We just can jump on someone like Ali. He has the right wherever he wants to live. As far as the interview concerned remember he did not go back to free Oromia. Nothing has been changed. Even thing got worse for those people live there. He is not going to come out and say “I am here to fight you guys”. Most of us do not even say that while we are still living thousands of miles away from homeland. We just try to be buddy buddy with habesha.
Let me give you a real challenge.
1) Go talk to your Oromo like you about what is currently going on in Oromia. Talk about students been killed for just speaking out and standing for their right.
2) Do not just talk and go home. Then decided what to do next. Bring it up in your political, religious and social meeting. Ask your leaders how the can help.
3) Call your representative in the country you live. Voice your opposition to the killing of innocent people.
4) Go out and organize demonstration. It does not matter who listen or how many people show up.
5) Feel free to add your own suggestion to comment line below this article.
P.S. The above challenges are an example of exercising basic human right. If you can able to do one of the above, you just do not deserve to have freedom and please do not talk about librating or independent Oromia. You just don’t worth IT! And one more thing, LEAVE ALI BIRRA ALONE!
Speak Out Oromo!
We are losing valuable time talking about by not acting. We just stand on the side line as cheer leader. The only difference is we are not wearing skimpy outfit and no pump pump in our hand. If you really want to fight wayanee or habesha ruling you will need to be in the heart of Oromia. You can not do it remotely. In history no one won his liberation by fighting from remote. If we spend in a coffee shop talking and criticizing about individual moves it will not get us any where. Especially, criticizing individuals who have been given so much to us, through out their lives. Just question yourself what have I done? What is my contribution? How do I make change? … before opening your mouth or before start typing. You are just giving a boost to enemy when you start hammering one of your own. We just can jump on someone like Ali. He has the right wherever he wants to live. As far as the interview concerned remember he did not go back to free Oromia. Nothing has been changed. Even thing got worse for those people live there. He is not going to come out and say “I am here to fight you guys”. Most of us do not even say that while we are still living thousands of miles away from homeland. We just try to be buddy buddy with habesha.
Let me give you a real challenge.
1) Go talk to your Oromo like you about what is currently going on in Oromia. Talk about students been killed for just speaking out and standing for their right.
2) Do not just talk and go home. Then decided what to do next. Bring it up in your political, religious and social meeting. Ask your leaders how the can help.
3) Call your representative in the country you live. Voice your opposition to the killing of innocent people.
4) Go out and organize demonstration. It does not matter who listen or how many people show up.
5) Feel free to add your own suggestion to comment line below this article.
P.S. The above challenges are an example of exercising basic human right. If you can able to do one of the above, you just do not deserve to have freedom and please do not talk about librating or independent Oromia. You just don’t worth IT! And one more thing, LEAVE ALI BIRRA ALONE!
Speak Out Oromo!
Wednesday
The biggest threat!
The biggest threat to Oromo liberation comes from within.
It's not Wayane government evil operation or Naftegna's movement to take a turn.
It's not even Oromo political or Religious organizations.
The most immediate, persistent, avoidable threat to your liberation is YOU!
You are the only one who can keep yourself from participating in Oromo movement. From stopping your voice heard when your fellow Oromo being savagely killed, tortured and arrested. You are watching when your fellow Oromo being forcefully chased out from his home in the name of big investment. You are silently watched when your sister and mother being rapped. You watch silently when your father being humiliated and disrespected. You were silent because you have not been told by your political and religious leader to act. You thought it did not affected you because it did not happen in your region or they did not follow the same religion as yours. THINK AGAIN!
You are living in freedom and failed to speak for your people who do not have freedom as you do. Do you see now you are the biggest threat to Oromos freedom.
Make a difference. Contact your fellow Oromos in your area to find out how.
Speak out Oromo!
It's not Wayane government evil operation or Naftegna's movement to take a turn.
It's not even Oromo political or Religious organizations.
The most immediate, persistent, avoidable threat to your liberation is YOU!
You are the only one who can keep yourself from participating in Oromo movement. From stopping your voice heard when your fellow Oromo being savagely killed, tortured and arrested. You are watching when your fellow Oromo being forcefully chased out from his home in the name of big investment. You are silently watched when your sister and mother being rapped. You watch silently when your father being humiliated and disrespected. You were silent because you have not been told by your political and religious leader to act. You thought it did not affected you because it did not happen in your region or they did not follow the same religion as yours. THINK AGAIN!
You are living in freedom and failed to speak for your people who do not have freedom as you do. Do you see now you are the biggest threat to Oromos freedom.
Make a difference. Contact your fellow Oromos in your area to find out how.
Speak out Oromo!
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