The
organization of African unity was established on May 25, 1963 in Finfinnee (Addis
Ababa) and on 9 July, 2002 it was disbanded and replaced by African Union. One
of the reasons for the formation of OAU was the complete eradication of all
forms of colonization. Other important aims of the organization were the
respect of human right of all Africans and the raise of the living standard of
all citizens.
If this is
the case, the existence of OAU (AU) head quarter in Ethiopia might have mean
much for the people of the country. It was supposed to have much influence on
the leadership of Ethiopia to play a great role in relation with the respect of
the right of the people and the economic development of the country. As the
host of the office of such big organization, Ethiopia is supposed to be an
example and a leader in every aspect.
The Irony
is, things happen to the opposite of these. Ethiopia itself is an empire built
by colonizing nations and nationalities. The northern Abyssinians colonized the
southern nations and nationalities by force and enforce the name Ethiopia on
them. The Oromos, Sidamas, Welaitas, Gedios, Gamos, Gambelas, Ogadenians, Afars
etc are those who were brought under the Ethiopian empire by force.
In relation
with human right, the government of Ethiopia was and is one of unfriendly
governments to its people in the world and in Africa. Under king Haile
Selassie, it was the time when the country was supposed to be put on track of
development, to the contrary the people ended up in hunger which actually led
to the revolution of 1974. Derg, which is the next Government, was a government
that declares red terror on its own citizens and thousands lost their life.
Many disappeared without trace. The TPLF led weyane government of Ethiopia is
also doing the same. Thousands of Oromos are killed and disappeared since weyane
came to power. Tens of thousands are still languishing in Qality and Ziway prisons.
Under TPLF
led government of Ethiopia, US department of state human right report, amnesty
International, and human right watch they all reported how serious the human
right condition of Ethiopia is. The government is unfriendly to opposition
parties, journalists, political activists and any person opposing the
government. In addition to these, the government is displacing people from
their homeland and leases their land in a very cheap price for foreign and
Tigrean based investors. This actually is done in the name of development; it
is actually the transfer of land and resource from the owners (indigenous
people) to another party (foreigners or ‘national investors’).
The people
who are displaced from their land in the name of development are all from the
region of Oromia, Southern nations and nationalities, and the Gambela regions.
These are those regions brought to Ethiopian empires by force. During the
colonization era, the people lost their land to the northern landlords and the
colonizing army and they were reduced to tenants on their own land. That is
going on until today, the local people, the owner of the land are still
displaced from their land.
But, the
office of the African Union, the organization that was established to fight all
forms of colonization and to ensure the respect of the right of all people is
stationed at the heart of Oromo land for 50 years. During the last 50 years the
people in Ethiopian empire were killed, tortured, displaced, and starved by
successive governments. Is there a time when the OAU (AU) denounces these
successive Ethiopian governments for their abusing their own citizens? Is there
a time when OAU (AU) threatens to move the head quarter to a democratic and
citizen’s friendly countries, to a country where government respects the right
of its people?
OAU (AU) in
Finfinnee (Addis Abeba) as a head quarter didn’t benefit Oromos in particular
and Ethiopians in general. To the contrary, it just helped the dictatorial
leaders to mislead other African leaders. The office just helped the dictators
to assert power. The Abyssinian dominated governments never respected the right
of the people they claim as their citizens. They have never been a good example
for other countries as the host of AU office.
And the
Oromos are people who are still colonized, but host OAU (AU) for 50 years on
their land.
Adugna
Dinka (re_appear1@yahoo.co.uk)
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