Duulli hidhaa fi ajjeechaa guutummaa Oromiyaa keessatti jabaachuun itti fufe

BREAKING NEWS!!!

Mootummaan Wayyaanee dhiibbaa ilmaan Oromoo irraan gahu jabeessuun kan itti fufe guutummaa Oromiyaa keessatti duula hidhaa fi ajjeechaa jabaachuun itti fufe.FDG uummata Oromoon gaggeeffamaa jiru dura dhaabbachuuf filannoo taha jedhee kan fudhate duula hidhaa jumlaa gaggeessaa jira. Gaaffii abbaa biyyummaa Oromiyaa keessatti gaggeeffamaa jiruun wal qabatee ilmaan Oromoo 2600 ol mana hidhaatti kan ukkaamsaman yoommuu tahu. Caamsaa 16,2014 irraa hamma 17,2014 kanatti godinoota adda addaa irraa ilmaan Oromoo hidhaa jira. Akka kanaan

Wallaggaa magaala Mandii

Magaalaa Mandii keessaa FDG wal qabatee Oromoota sabboonoo ta’an Caamsaa 16,2014 irraa eegaluun hidhamuutti argamu Kanneen keessaa:-

Obbo Roobel Qannoo abbaa maatii
Obbo Gammachiis Hambisaa abbaa maatii
Obbo Bookaa hundeessaa abbaa maatii
Obbo Baacaa Kabbadee abbaa maatii
Obbo Fiqiruu Wadaajoo abbaa maatii fi mana nyaataa fi dhugaatii kan qabu
Obbo Eyob Kumarraa mana elektrooniksii kan qabu
Barataa Raajii Abbayyaa kutaa 10ffaa
Barataa Abbushee Hirphaa kutaa 7ffaa
Barataa Dabaloo Tolosaa
Barataa Surraa Caalii 12ffaa
Dargaggoo Eebbisaa Saaqqataa humnaan bulaa
Kanneen tahan keessatti argamu.
Yuuniversitii Haromayaa ,

Haaluma wal fakkaataadhaan mootummaan Wayyaanee barattoota Oromoo Yuunivarsiitii Haramaayaa keessatti argaman Hoogganaa Gumii Afaan Oromoo dabalatee miseensota Gumii Afaan Oromoo mana hidhaatti ukkaamsee jira. Kunneen keessaa barattootni Oromoo
1.Barataa Nimoonaa Caalii hoogganaa Gumii Afaan Oromoo Yuunivarsiitii Haramaayaa
2.Barataa Magarsaa Baqqalaa hoogganaa Gumii Afaan Oromoo duraanii
3.Barataa Firaayaad barreessaa gumii Afaan Oromoo
4.Dargaggoo Girmaa mooraa Yuunivarsiitii keessaa kan rifeensa sirreessu
Kanneen jedhaman keessatti argamu.

Shawaa Lixaa Amboo

Oromoota badii tokkoon malee har’a qabamanii mana hidhaa Wayyaanee jiran keessaa:-

1. Dargaggoo Getachoow Qajeelaa kanaan dura yeroo irraa gara yerootti sochii FDG gaggeessita jechuun mootummaa Wayyaaneetiin dararamaa fi hidhamaa kan ture,

2. Barataa Alamuu Magarsaa barataa kutaa 8ffaa fi barataa mana rifeensaa hojjechuun of jiraachisaa jiru, balleessaa tokko malee humnoota tikaa wayyaanootaan hordofamee ukkaanfamuun hidhatti kan darbame.

3. Dargaggoo Deebisaa Birruu magaalaa Ambootti leenjii konkolaachisummaa barachaa kan jiru, fi nama Obbooleessii isaa

4. Getachoo Birruu bara 2011 humnoota tikaan ukkaanfamee mana hidhaa Wayyaanee Qaallitii keesatti hidhaan dararama kan jiru.

5. Dargaggoo Taammiree Caalaa hojjetaa Wajjiraa dargaggoo aanaa Caalliyaa humna poolisii federaalaan kan ukkanfamee qabamee kanneen keessatti argaman sabboontotni dargaggootni Oromoo hedduum lixa Shawaa irraa balleessa tokko malee mana hidhatti darbamuun dararamaa jiraachuun gabaafamera.

Wallagga Yuuniversitii Naqamtee irraa barattooti rasaasaan reebaman ammos bakka ciisanitti akka tohataman jedhame.

Barattoota Oromoo gaaffii mirgaa gaafataniif deebiin rasaasaan reebamuu kan ta’e heddumminaan Hosptala Naqamtee seenaan keessaa haalaan madaayanii fi dhukubsatanii kanneen jiran addatti tikootaa fi loltoota Wayyaaneen akka tohataman taasifame,maatii fi hiriyyaan bira dhaqee dubbisu akka qoratamu taasifame. Kanneen haalaan qaami isaanii madaayee ammos Wayyaaneen tohatamaa jiran keessaa.1. Barataa Mokonnoon Asaffaa Barataa Yuunibarsiitii Wallaggaa
2. Barataa Gammachuu Butunaa ” ”
3. Barataa Mokonnoon Abarraa ” ”
4. Barataa Guutamaa Galaanaa ” ”
5. Barataa Sofia Kadiir ”
6. Barataa Shimaallis Caffee ”
7. Lammeessaa Balaay ”
8. Barataa Tolawaaq Shaashoo ”
9. Barataa Mul’isaa Tafarraa ”
10. Barataa Naazib Jibril ”
11. Barataa Getachoow Fiqaaduu ”
12. Barataa Galetaa Kumerraa ”
13. Barataa Gammachuu fiqaaduu ”
14. Barattuu Abbabuu Xaafaa ”

Lixa Wallaggaa Aanaa Gullisoo:

Guyyaa lamaan kana FDG wal qabatee naannoon aanichaa waraana Wayyaaneen goolamaa jira,ummanni hedduun hidhaman keessaa hammi tokko:- 1. Gammachuu Taasisaa daldalaa
2. Wandee Nagaasaa jiraataa ganda 01
3. Daawuti Tolaa jiraata ganda 02
4. Mulaatuu Cawwaaqaa qotee bulaa ganda galoo guutee
5. Fiqaaduu Gaarii qotee bulaa ganda galoo guutee
6. Taddalee Guddataa qotee bulaa ganda galoo guute.
7. Barataa Eebbaa Kantiibaa barataa kutaa 11ffaa
8. Barataa Abdii Mokonnoon barataa kutaa 10ffaa
9. Barataa Qananii Daaniel barataa kutaa 7ffaa
10. Barataa Dirribaa Tasfaa barataa kutaa 7ffaa
11. Barataa Girmaa Mulaatuu barataa kutaa 10ffaa
12. Barataa Jifaaraa Busunaa
13. Barataa Obsaa Raggaasaa barataa kutaa 9ffaa
14. Barataa Obsaa Geetanee barataa kutaa 10ffaa
15. Barataa Lalisaa Indaalee barataa kutaa 9ffaa
16. Gammaachuu Waaqjiraa hojjetaa bulchiinsa lafaa,
17. Lijaaleem Immaanaa wajjira bulchiinsaa keessa kan hojjetu dabalatee uummaanni Oromoo nagaan namootni dhibbaan lakka’aman hidhamuu Qeerroon naannicha irraa gabaasee jira.

Lixa Wallaggaa Ayiraa Irraa:-

Godina Dhiha Oromiyaa Lixa Wallaggaa irra ilmaan Oromoo Jumlaan mana hidhaattii guuramanii dararamaa jiru, haala kanaan Aanaa Ayiraa irraa sabboontotni Oromoo Caamsaa 16,2014 hidhaman :

1. Obboo Geetanee Adabaa qotee bulaa
2. Obboo Geetachoo Oljirraa qotee bulaa
3. Barsiisaa Qabanaa Hiikaa
4. Obboo Caalaa Raggaasaa
5. Obboo Damee Daddafaa
6. Barsiisaa Malaakuu Aagaa
7. barsiiraa Hundumaa Awweetuu
8. Barsiisaa Yaared Dheeressaa
9. Barataa Efireem Qanaa’aa
10. Barataa Dirribaa Gaja’aa
11. Barataa Milkeessaa Saamu’eel,
12. Barataa Toleeraa Waaqumaa kanneen keesatti argama

Kanneen jedhaman keessatti argamu.

Oromoon hidhaa fi ajjeechaan qabsoo haqaa irraa akka hin deebine beekamaa dha.Bakka jinitti biyya keessaa fi alaan qabsoo finiinsuun rakkoo fakkaataa kana irraa bahuun murteessaa dha.

=>bilisummaa

Oromo Protests: Amane Badhaso on SaharaTV

May 17, 2014

SaharaTV

Amane Badhaso is the President of The Oromo Youth Association in the diaspora. She is also a Political Science student in Minesota. She joins SaharaTV to discuss about the on-going protests in Oromo Region where a war of the land ensues.

=>ayyaantuu

Letter to the Canadian Prime Minister Regarding Massacres of Oromo Students

To: The Right Honourable Stephen Harper, The Prime Minister of Canada

Office of the Prime Minister
80 Wellington Street
Ottawa, ON K1A 0A2

From: Oromo Community in British Columbia

Re: Killings of Oromo University Students in Ethiopia

Over the past few weeks, the entire world has witnessed one of the most heinous crimes perpetrated on innocent Oromo students by the Ethiopian government security forces for merely exercising their democratic rights of peaceful demonstration. Since April 28, 2014, Oromo students in universities, colleges and secondary schools, involving over 12 institutions across the Oromia region of Ethiopia, have been peacefully demonstrating against the regime’s recently unveiled “Addis Ababa City Integrated Master Plan.” Within one week, more than 50 University students have been confirmed to be murdered by government security forces in their campuses in Ambo, Haromaya, Madawalabu and Naqamte Universities. Recent estimate put the number of student massacred at 76, injured 300, and over 2000 rounded up and incarcerated in unknown locations. International media sources, such as the BBC, CNN, Fox News, Al-Jazeera and Human Rights Watch, have been reporting on these killings.

Under this new Addis Ababa City Master Plan, more than 15 farming Oromo communities will be engulfed under the city’s jurisdiction and their farmlands will be re-zoned as “urban” lands and will be expropriated for city expansion. Implementation of this land grab policy unfolded under total secrecy with no public consultations or transparency whatsoever. The lives of 76 innocent Oromo University students have been gunned down for peacefully protesting against such an unfair and criminal project.

The Oromo Community in British Columbia is deeply saddened by the massacre of our school children by the Ethiopian regime. It is unfortunate that the Canadian government continuously provides significant economic support to this murderous regime in Ethiopia.

In light of this fresh massacre and abysmal human rights track record of the regime, our community would like to appeal to your good office to:

- Condemn the mindless killings of innocent Oromo students and farmers;
- Exert pressure on the regime to immediately stop its murderous campaign against Oromo students and farmers;
- Demand an independent investigations into the killings to bring the culprits to justice;
- Review Canada’s economic support to the regime that is bent on massacring innocent kids in their schools and Universities.

We trust that you will consider our appeal and take appropriate actions to stop the killings of defenseless students and land expropriation from poor framers under the disguise of Addis Ababa City Integrated Master Plan.

Sincerely;

Oromo Community of British Columbia, Vancouver

CC: The Honourable John Baird

Minister of Foreign Affirs

The Honourable Thomas J. Mulcair
Official Opposition Leader

The Honourable Justin Trudeau
The Liberal Party Leader

=>gadaa

ADDIS ABABA'S POORLY PLANNED DECENTRALIZATION AND #OROMOPROTESTS

by Abel D. Ayele

The Oromo student protests in Ethiopia, which began last month in opposition to Addis Ababa’s controversial expansion, continued this week.

Tens of people have been killed while hundreds were wounded or jailed since the protests started in April. On May 14, locals said at least three people were killed and more than 100 wounded in Nekemte town, western Oromia where federal Special Forces have besieged the regional Wallaga University. Protests have spread to neighboring Najjo and other parts of Oromia on Thursday.

Why is the Ethiopian regime obsessed with Finfinne and its surroundings? Is to alleviate infrastructural and other societal challenges the city faces? Who is the real mastermind behind this entire project? Who are the key players in this game? Is the project environmentally and socially viable? Does the latest plan fulfill the legal and technical requirements of transboundary city master plans? Do the international experts or consultants behind the master plan comprehend the local political and socio-economic contexts? Why did the Addis Ababa city administration fail to focus on optimizing its land use based on sound research and fair distribution of wealth instead of resorting to a politically driven land grab? These are the questions that Oromo students and Oromo people are raising in and outside of the country.

Addis Ababa’s expansion

Over the last few decades, the Ethiopian capital have seen a very rapid lateral expansion, mainly characterized by randomly scattered legal and illegal housing developments and business dwellings. This unplanned, spontaneous expansion resulted in massive spatial changes especially in the past 50 years, according to Fantahun Tesfaye. Studies show that Addis Ababa's landmass tripled from 80 square kilometers in 1960s to 250 in 1985 and doubled to 540 square kilometers in 2010. The new plan will stretch the city's area to more than a million square kilometers. The swift spatial enlargement is compounded by rapid urbanization, complicating the city’s chronic inability to meet growing demands. Addis is urbanizing at a rate of 4.2 percent every year with 40 percent annual rural-urban migration, according to a study by the UN-Habitat.

The city's most acute problems are its inefficient utilization of land and rapid growth of population as opposed to the shortage of land that the authorities often claim. Addis Ababa's sprawl is characterized by inefficient use of land with a replica of detached single-story family houses surrounded by a compound. This typology raises environmental concerns "unless the trend is intercepted and backed up by proper land use planning and densification schemes that promote vertical extensions," according to Fantahun.

In addition, several studies indicate the need for comprehensive long-term planning and densification schemes and taking control of fast paced urbanization. Failure to implement efficient, equitable and strategic land use and public infrastructure plans led to the continuous invasion of green fields at the expense of prime farmlands. Wealthy and corrupt businessmen, who are either part of the ruling party or their foreign allies, have bought up large swaths of land both in and around the city outskirts.

Urban development master plans

Even though it's subject to changes based on the availability of resources and local context, urban master plans typically contain ten basic elements. These include: goals and policy statements, land use plan, natural and cultural resources preservation, water resource protection, housing, economic development, open space and recreation, service and facilities, transportation and implementation program. In what is known among planners as ''slow but steady" approach, the planner may choose to focus only on some of the basic elements or prepare a customized plan through the "mosaic" approach. No matter how one chooses to prepare the scheme, urban planners are required to consider these elements in their overall planning process. Transparent public consultation and participation on each component is one of the decisive factors both during preparation and implementation phases.

Addis Ababa’s master plans rarely applied these basic tenets of urban planning. The city’s key problems pertain to zoning and poor land utilization. Old squatter settlements had irregular plot subdivision. Massive manufacturing and government establishments occupy large urban land.

I conducted a graduate-level research on the freight transport behavior in Addis Ababa and its challenges. Through interviews with city planners and review of documents related to the land use and transportation, I found that Addis Ababa's future policy direction was focused mainly on decentralizing the city to the surrounding suburbs. Besides, the policy gives little or no consideration to the welfare and well being of poor Oromo farmers who are already squeezed from all directions.

Previous master plan implementation was also rife with shortcomings. The city faces massive corruption, illegal land occupation and poor waste disposal practices and a severe lack of organizational and administrative capacity, logistics and skilled planning personnel.

Political or administrative planning takes the lion’s share of the city’s problems. The city administration is monopolized by political appointees and lacks technical researchers who can remedy its urbanization challenges. The deeply ingrained corruption drives these politicians motives to always look for more land that they could offer to highest bidders on the city's peripheries.

Addis Ababa's geopolitics

Addis Ababa, which Oromos call Finfinne, is the focal point of Oromia's geographic orientation. That's why Oromos refer to the city as ''Handhura Oromiyaa." Oromia's boundaries to the north and south of Finfinne is a short stretch, approximately about 100km, as opposed to its East-West borders. In other words, the extension of Addis Ababa’s metropolitan area within 100km radius could mean the partition of Oromia.  It would potentially detach Macha and parts of Tulama Oromo from their kins in eastern Oromia.

Despite its history as Oromo land, Finfinne does not reflect the cultural and socio-economic values of the Oromo people. The settlers have monopolized the city both culturally and economically, excluding or displacing native dwellers.

Furthermore, despite a symbolic Mayoral post occupied by an Oromo, the city is administered by powerful Tigrean deputies. For Oromia, the loss of several administrative woredas to Addis Ababa means lack of representation in the house of peoples representatives, which ultimately contributes to the extinction of an already weakened Oromo voice.

The biggest losers under this project are obviously Oromo farmers who have to give up their land. In Ethiopia, the state owns all land. This leaves the disfranchised farmers without any constitutional grounds to defend their property rights.

This is the grim and little known face of Finfinne and its environs since the city's creation some 127 years ago. In addition to the disruption of livelihood at the household level, under the proposed plan, the state of Oromia will also lose a huge chunk of tax money and other revenues generated from surrounding cities.

The social crises brought about by Addis Ababa's expansion over the last century are irreversible, to the extent that the identity of many of the Tulama Oromo clans who once lived in the area was exterminated through exile and assimilation. Unless this trend is stopped, in the long run, the fate of the entire Tulama Oromo will not be different. It's culture, language and other social values will slowly vanish as did the cultural fabric of Finfinne's original inhabitants.

Time and again, Oromo students have challenged efforts to change the city's constitutionally guaranteed status. Other Oromo cities such as Jimma, Dirre Dhawa and Bishoftu face similar encroachment. The ongoing Oromo student protests require every Oromo's active support and participation. Oromo engineers and urban planners must continually assess technical and jurisdictional issues and inform the public. Oromo journalists, politicians, legal professionals and social scientists should continue to deconstruct the state's development schemes. The diaspora should continue to ramp up its diplomatic and advocacy work raising awareness about human rights abuses against our people in Ethiopia.

Non-Oromo Finfinne residents

Non-Oromo citizens of the city should know that the goals of the ongoing protests is neither to harm them nor to declare the absolute supremacy of the Oromo people over the city. It is simply an attempt to prevent another round of the displacement of Oromo farmers and preserve Oromo's cultural heritage. Forced displacement poor farmers should alarm all freedom loving individuals and Addis Ababa dwellers must stand in solidarity with the #OromoProtests.

The Addis Ababa city administration should immediately halt its provocative project which could hamper the country's peace and security. The fervent opposition should give municipal authorities a renewed impetus to consider alternative, optimum and efficient land utilization within its existing boundary. It is time to build affordable housing projects which can accommodative its growing population. The city should look for better ways to promote advanced infrastructural facilities which don't take up a lot of land and most importantly stem out corruption to ensure good governance and equitable wealth distribution.

--

*The writer, Abel D. Ayele, is a former lecturer of Civil Engineering at Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar Institute of Technology and currently Engineer In Training in Pennsylvania.  Figure: Expansion trend of Addis Ababa, (source, ORAAMP, 2002)

=>opride

Ummata Oromoo Irratti Duguuggaa Sanyii Raawwachuun Gaaffii Mirgaa Tasa Hin Dhaabu Jedhu Barattooti Oromoo Adamaa

Caamsaa 16/2014 Adaamaa

Har’a Adaamaa Keessatti Sabboontota Oromoo Waraana Wayyaaneen Ajjeefaman

1. Milishuu Mallasaa- Bakki Dhaloota isaaa Amboodha,Hojiin isaa Daldalaadha. Akkasuma mucaan kuni waggaa 8 mana hidhaa ture bahe, waggaa sadii mana hidhaa Maa’ikelaawwiitti waggaa 5n ammoo Qaallittiitti hidhamee bahe.
2. Bilisummaa Lammii-Bakka dhalooti isaa Aanaa Lumee bakka Ejeree jedhamtuudha.Barataa Rift Vaaliy Yuuniversitii koollejjii barataa Bisines Manajimentiidha. Yeroo darbee kan hidhamee baheedha. Namoota kana suuraa isaanii boruu dhaamna.

Kanneen jedhaman loltoota Wayyaanee kan Fedaraalaan qabamanii erga hidhaa seenaniin booda loltootaan ajjefamuu gabaasi amma Adaamaa irraa dhaqabe addeessa.

Mootumaan Wayyaanee rasaasaan reebee ajjeesuun isa gahuu didnaan magaalaa keessa deemee ilmaan Oromoo akka bineensaa adamsee ajjeesuu irratti argama. Kan nama dhibu guyyaa lama dura Adaamaa keessatti gaaffii mirgaa gaafachuudhaan barattootaa fi hojjetoota garagaraa nama 40 ol hidhuudhaan mana hidhaa keessatti dararamaa turan.

Kanneen keessaa Oromooti olitti maqaan dhahame keessatti argamu.Guyyaa har’aa kana mana hidhaa keessaa baasanii konkolaataan fuudhanii deemuun Oromoota lamaan kana lubbuu galaafatanii akka darban gabaasi Adaamaa  ni addeessa. Guutummaa haala isaanii fi suuraan qabsaawota kanaa gara fuula duraa if ni ta’a.

=>qeerroo

Gambella Nilotes Army Condemns Killing Oromos for Their Land

Press Release
15th May 2014, Gambella
“Ethiopian Government Must Stop Killing Oromos for their Land”

Gambella Nilotes United Movement/Army (GNUM/A) condemns the mass killing perpetuated by the TPLF-Led Ethiopian government’s security forces against the Oromo University students and other innocent civilians which occurred in many parts of Oromia Region particularly in Ambo Zone since last two weeks. The students were peacefully demonstrating their constitutional right for the Oromo farmers who were/are forcefully and illegally evicted from their ancestral land around Finfine (Addis Ababa) due to new Addis Ababa Integrated Master Plan imposed upon them.

As our sources confirm the killings continue in Nekemte town and other areas of which unconfirmed number of innocent Oromos are being massacred. Many are arrested and many more disappeared from their homes as the protest demonstrations continue.

It should be known that the proposed Master Plan by the TPLF – Led government of Ethiopia did not consider the interest and participation of the Oromo people to ensure that it would not cause eviction of people and land grabbing. The plan affirms the continuation of land grabbing policy designed to displaced poor rural people of Gambella, Ogaden, Benisgangul Gumuz, Afar, South Omo and other parts of the country.

The Master plan will evict million of Oromo farmers from their ancestral land and make them landless, an act which denies their traditional land ownership rights around Addis Ababa. It must be condemned at all might for it is undemocratic and barbaric. It follows the mode of Menelik who built the country on slave trade economy in raiding slaves and plundering resources of the subjects, in exchange for weapons from European colonisers to build his hegemony, of which the Oromos, Gambellans, Ogadenians, Beneshagul/Gumuz people, Afar, south western nations and nationalities, and others were the victims. The wounds inflicted by the Menelik in the past are still open and bleeding, and it is immoral for the TPLF- Led government to scratch the wounds inflicted by their ancestors against Oromos without remorse.

For this reason we call upon all the Oromos to unite. Whatever differences may exist, Oromos must unite as one body and seek solidarity from other oppressed people who are fighting for their freedom. The TPLF – Led Ethiopian government is racist beyond any doubt, and it is a failed state that believes in enforcing its racist policies at gun point. The unity and moral we have are more than the weapons they put their belief. We shall prevail. It must not be allowed to sell out Oromo land to foreign investors or to settle their own people in Oromos’ land while Oromos are evicted. Currently other Ethiopian are not entitled to own large land for their business unless those coming from northern part of the country. The land taken from all the oppressed people elsewhere in the country including the Oromos should be categorized as stolen property, in which day has come, actually it is very near to claim it back from all TPLF members and supporters.

We encourage all Oromo people to continue with their demonstration not to allow any inch of Oromo land to Addis Ababa Master Plan. We call upon all the Oromo people throughout the world to strengthen their solidarity in support to those who are sacrificing their lives in the country for the freedom of Oromos.

Gambella Nilotes United Movement/Army (GNUM/A) is also calling upon all people of Gambella and other South Western Nilotes to stand together with Oromo people who are suffering under brutal Ethiopian government.

We call upon the international community, international human rights organizations and other concerned bodies to condemn the ongoing human rights abuses and atrocities perpetrated by the TPLF/EPRDF regime against the Oromo innocent civilians who are demanding their constitutional rights from the government.

We are also calling upon the United Nations, EU, AU, and all other humanitarian organizations operating in Ethiopia to closely monitor the political and military action against the innocent civilian in Oromia region.

At last we call upon the TPLF/EPRDF government to stop killing of the Oromos; to release our brothers kept in various prisons in the country under inhumanly conditions; to recognize the communal land rights and ownership in accord with the UN provisions; to respect Article 39 provision in the constitution and recognizes territorial integrity to stop extinction measures; to respect our independence development and foreign policies to ensure our freedom and prosperity in our territories.

In conclusion the Gambella Nilotes United Movement/Army (GNUM/A) will continue its struggle for all people of Gambella and other oppressed Ethiopian to ensure freedom, justice, security and prosperity are brought to the oppressed.

“Freedom and Justice for All Oppressed People of Oromo”
“Unite We Must to Fight for the Rights and Justice of Indigenous
South Western Nilotic and Omotic Peoples of Ethiopia”
GAMBELLA NILOTES UNITED MOVEMENT/ARMY
CENTRAL COMMITTEE
Our contact:
gambellagnuma@yahoo.com
OR
gambellagnuma@gmail.com

=>ayyaantuu

IOYA Appeal Letter

Dear Sir, Madam,

We are reaching out to you as the Board of officers of the International Oromo Youth Association (IOYA) whose nation is in turmoil back in Oromia, Ethiopia. Recently, Oromo students have been protesting against the new Addis Ababa “Integrated Master Plan” which aims at incorporating smaller towns surrounding Addis Ababa for the convenience of vacating land for investors by displacing millions of Oromo farmers. As a political move, this will essentially result in the displacement of the indigenous peoples and their families. Oromo farmers will be dispossessed of their land and their survival both economic and cultural terms will be threatened. The Oromos strongly believe that this plan will expose their natural environment to risk, threaten their economic means of livelihood (subsistence farming), and violate their constitutional rights.

The Ethiopian government is executing its political agenda of progressive marginalization of the Oromo people from matters that concern them both in the Addis Ababa city and the wider Oromia region. The master plan is an unconstitutional change of the territorial expansion over which the city administration has a jurisdiction. The government justifies the move in the name of enhancing the development of the city and facilitating economic growth. The justification is merely a tactical move masked for the governments continued abuse of human rights of the Oromo people.  While the Oromos understand that Addis Ababa itself is an Oromo city that serves as the capital of the federal government, they also consider this move as an encroachment on the jurisdiction and borders of the state of Oromia.

The protesters peacefully demonstrated against this move. University students and residents have been in opposition to the plan, but their struggle has been met by a brutal repression in the hands of the military police (famously known as the Agazi). It has been reported that shootings, arrests, and imprisonments are becoming rampant. It is also reported that the death toll is increasing by the hour. Recently, sources indicate that over 80 people have been shot dead, others severally injured and thousands arrested. In addition, Oromo students have been protesting peacefully for over three weeks now, despite mass killings and arrests by Ethiopian security forces. University and high school students from more than ten universities have been engaging in the Oromo protests. The peaceful rally has now spread across the whole country and is expected to continue until the Ethiopian government refrains from incorporating over 36 surrounding smaller towns into Addis Ababa. It is stated to be displacing an estimate of 6.6 million people and violating constitutional rights of regional states.

As an organization subscribing to broader democratic engagement of the Oromo youth, we oppose the brutal violence that the Ethiopian government is meting out on innocent, unarmed young students who are peacefully protesting. As leaders of the Oromo community, we support and stand in solidarity with Oromo protests in Ethiopia. The human rights violations being carried out by the Ethiopian government against innocent students are unacceptable. Continuous assaults, tortures, and killings of innocent civilians must be stopped. We urge you to join us in denouncing these inhumane and cruel activities carried out by the Ethiopian government. We believe it is imperative that the international community raise its voice and take action to stop the ongoing atrocities that are wreaking havoc to families and communities in the Oromia region.

We urgently request that such actions be taken in an attempt to pressure the Ethiopian government to stop terrorizing and killing peaceful protesters:

• The US government and other International organizations should condemn the Ethiopian government’s brutal action taken on unarmed innocent civilians. Furthermore, we demand over 30,000 innocent protesters to be released from prisons, as they will be subjected to torture and ill treatment.
• The Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) is currently terrorizing its own electorates/nation. Under the law of R2P in the UN constitution, the international community is obliged to protect a nation that is being terrorized by its own government and EPRDF should be taken accountable.
• We demand Ethiopia to be expelled from any regional and international cooperation including and not limited to AU and UN for its previous and current human rights violations. The International community should stop providing support in the name of AID and development to Ethiopia as it is violating the fundamental and basic needs of its nation.
• The Ethiopian government should be stopped on immediate effect; its forceful displacement of the indigenous peoples across Ethiopia is unjust and unconstitutional. We ask the United States, European Union, and the United Nations to stand in solidarity with peaceful student protesters who are condemning such injustice.
• The onus is on the international community to act in favor of the innocent and civilian populace that is seeking its fundamental right. Punitive actions towards this government should be taken for cracking down on freedom of expression and other democratic rights being expressed by its citizens.

We believe it is in the interest of our common humanity to take responsibility, to pay attention to this problem, to witness the plight of the voiceless victims, and to raise concerns to the Ethiopian government so it can desist from its brutal acts of repression.

We count on your solidarity to help the Oromo youth be spared from arbitrary arrest, incarceration, and shootings.

Yours Respectfully,

International Oromo Youth Association

=>ayyaantuu