EDUCATION FOR FREEDOM: Soweto (South Africa) Students Uprising For Freedom and Justice

 Implications to the April 2014 Oromo Students Uprising For Freedom and Justice
Gizaw Tasissa (PhD) | January 5, 2015
It is always desirable to get rid of suppression, but it is not without pain and sacrifices to achieve it and attain freedom, because the battle is between those with provisional power to mobilise resources of the oppressed against the oppressed themselves and power less but authentic majority without power. There cannot be resistance without prevalence of suppression.
It goes without saying that human right is not decided by alien body, but it is a natural right one deserves and upholds. Despite this, sometimes it is compromised by laws enacted by governments in the interest of the public and against the interest of the public too. The former is legitimate as far as it is justified by the partaking of the stakeholder while the latter is a characteristic of suppression enacted by suppressors of different modes, the major ones being political,   racial and colour discrimination. Read more…

OMN Amharic: Year 2014 in Review (Jan. 3, 2015)

http://finfinnetribune.com/Gadaa/2015/01/omn-amharic-year-2014-in-review-jan-3-2015/

Statement of Oromo Muslim Foundation in DC on Human Right Violations in Ethiopia

January 3, 2015

We Oromo/Americans living in the Washington DC metro area are outraged by the continued Human Right violations the Ethiopian Government committing  against Muslims and non-Muslims of its citizens. As far as we are concerned and as far as we know international Human Right organization such as Amnesty International, Human Right Watch and others including the US Commission on Religious Freedom as well as the 2013 State department reports on human rights on Ethiopia have acknowledged that the Ethiopian government is interfering in the religious affairs of the Muslims and the Muslims peacefully demanded the government to stop imposing a religious ideology of its choice on them. 

In light of the current upsurge of serious human rights violations in Ethiopia, we strongly urge the following:

• The Ethiopian government must stop the repression against all those who demand their constitutional right for freedom of religion, assembly, and political activism.
• The planned banning of the Hijab to force women from fully exercising their right of attending higher education systems and participating in the work force of the state must be stopped.
• Relatives of the illegally incarcerated Muslim leaders must not be denied to visit their loved ones wearing their hijabs.
• We urge all peace loving people of the world to put pressure on the government of Ethiopia to immediately release all prisoners of conscious from its prisons.

Last but not least, we strongly denounce the statement Prime Minister Haile Mariam gave and characterized Ethiopians in the Diaspora using words un-befit for a prime minister.  Especially we condemn the words he used to degrade the hard working women who had to escape poverty risking their lives to work and provide for their families at home.

DATE:12/30/2014

http://ayyaantuu.com/horn-of-africa-news/statement-of-oromo-muslim-foundation-in-dc-on-human-right-violations-in-ethiopia/

Outcome of persecution in Ethiopia: 3,000 to 5,000 Oromo Homeless Kids in Hargeisa ARE DESPISED AND ABUSED BY JUST ABOUT EVERYONE THEY MEET

Mukhtar stands outside the Ethiopian café where he shines shoes every day

January 14, 2014 (Vice) — On an ordinary night, after the sun sets over Hargeisa, Somaliland, Mohamed packs up his shoe-shine kit and heads to the storm drain where he lives when he’s not working. All things considered, it’s a good spot for the 12-year-old to sleep—the discarded snack wrappers and plastic bottles help keep him warm, and when the sun creeps in each morning the shadow of a nearby skyscraper shields him from the heat. Read more…

Professor Merrara Gudina an Oromo intellectual has been sacked from his post at AAU

December 27, 2014 (siitube) –Professor Merrara Gudina, an Oromo/Ethiopian Political Science Lecturer has been sacked by Ethiopian government from his post at Addis Ababa University (AAU) for his political view. He is known for his staunch support for human rights of the peoples of this entire region in general, for his ethnic national, the Oromo (40% of the entire Ethiopians) in particular.

Regardless of its barbarism to the citizens, the Ethiopian government receives from the UK tax payers about 340million annually, despite its abhorring records of human rights. About 6 month ago (June 2014), the UK citizen with Ethiopian origin known as Andargachew Tsige (one of prominent Diaspora Opposition leaders) has been kidnaped by Ethiopian security forces from Yemen Capital Sana’a and taken to Ethiopia’s capital Addis Ababa where he has been allegedly tortured and deprived access to consular support and kept out public sight. His wife and children in London are left in darkness. The UK government is doing little or nothing about their citizen.

Between 80.000 to 100.000 political prisoners are kept in various Ethiopian prisons (from whom about 90% prisoners belong to Ethnic Oromo of professor Merrara Gudina). Freedom of assembly, association and expression are unthinkable. Literally the regime in power, dominated with minority Tigreans (less than 6%) rules the remaining 94% citizens with terror and constant intimidation.

Moreover, about 15 journalists have been unlawfully arrested and remain imprisoned; whilst over 24 journalists have fled the country in the past 2 years alone. The regime kidnaps and kills any person fleeing the country suspected of becoming opposition party members.

The latest campaigns against the Oromo nation’s formidable academician, staunch human rights activist and intellectual is part of such sustained state sponsored terror against civilians. Whilst doing so, the regime of this empire is being sponsored by the West under the pretext of War on Terror’ practically the regime is terrorising the citizens.

Source: Siitube

http://ayyaantuu.com/horn-of-africa-news/professor-merrara-gudina-an-oromo-intellectual-has-been-sacked-from-his-post-at-aau/

OROMIA AT FEDERATION SQUARE: A CELEBRATION OF OROMUMMAA

(OPride) –  On Dec. 21, 2014, more than 2,000  Oromo-Australians and friends of Oromo people floked to  Melbourne’s iconic Federation Square, braving dank and steamy spa-like weather conditions for the 7th annual “Oromia at Federation Square.”

Started in 2008, the Oromia@fedsquare is a community festival organized by the Australian Oromo Community Association in Victoria meant to “celebrate and commemorate the beauty of the Oromo culture.” For the thriving Oromo-Ausralian community, the  event is an opportunity to share their history and rich cultural heritage with the city’s multicultural communities. For members of the Oromo community, it’s also a way of reconnecting with and honoring their customs and traditions.

“Starting Sunday afternoon, people visiting or passing by the Federation Square in Melbourne feel as though they've landed in another country in a different continent – Oromia, in the Horn of Africa,” the organizers said in a press release last week. The fedsquare, one of the busiest venues in Melbourne, hosts more than 2,000 jam-packed events and celebrations every year. The attendance of members of parliament Adam Bandt of Melbourne and representatives from Anthony Byrne office, who represents Holt, and Victorian Multicultural Commission Commissioner Chin Tan is an important recognition of Oromos contribution to the country’s multiculturalism. As with other new immigrant communities, Oromos have added color and so much significance to the Australian society in general. Most of its leaders have been recognized and awarded both locally and internationally for their active participation and outstanding contributions.

The event brings together families and friends from across Melbourne. Oromos from interstate and neigbouring countries such as New Zealand ocassionally join in the celebration. This year was not different. Visitors came from Brisbane, Sidney and even as far as Europe. Parents brought childred adorned in colorful cultural attires. This is the community’s way of educating other Australians about their identity while also passing on history and cultural heritage to the younger generation. The event features Oromo dance, spoken word, art exhibition, fashion show, a live-concert and elders blessings.

Amid chaotic diasporic life and recent political setbacks among the diaspora,  Oromia@fedsquare is one event that has not lost its colors and form over the last seven years. In fact, it has become a model for Oromo diaspora events. It brings together Oromos from all walks of life and political persuasions. It’s one place where the community joins hands and sing songs of unity, harmony and longing.

To be sure, unlike most Oromo diaspora events, the Oromia@fedsquare was not simply about lamenting the multifaceted injustices that the Oromo continue to endure in Ethiopia. It’s a magnificent occasion where Oromos embrace and demonstrate their pride. It is a day where Oromia’s multidimensional diversity is celebrated in all its forms: from clothing, artifacts, food  to history with pride and joy. It is a momentous expression of Oromumma, the Oromo identity.

It is also where the youth reaffirms their commitment to preserving Oromo heritage by taking the lead in organizing and showcasing various cultural programs. Most of the activities at this festival were conducted by the community’s active and vigilant youth members. The elders, also draped in Oromo cultural attire, held green grass and a prominent stick ( coqorsa and bokkuu. With the Oromo flag flying high around the square, women ululate holding their Siinqee, the symbol of power and womanhood among the Oromo,  and sing in praise of their fallen heroes while the youth and children cheer on. All the while, the fresh aroma of Oromia’s coffee would fill the air. For brief moments, the fed square resembled Oromia, the Oromo homeland — full of joy and freedom.

But this year Oromia@fedsquare has even gotten bigger and better. Children adorned with saddeetta sang shagoyee, whilst those as young as five educated the spectators about the five Oromo odaas. The children also took the centrestage when the band played adding more color and beauty to the event.

This year also ushered in new faces as far as from Germany, young musician and rapper Leencho Abdushakur was invited to entertain the crowd with a mix of poetry, spoken word and singing. We also had other prominent personalities, including Oromo comedian Sadam Haska aka Sadamiyyo from Oromovines.  This year, federation square was not only about singing and dancing, it was about recognition and awards.

Early Sunday morning, excitement filled the sorrunding area as hosts, Soreti Kadir  and Toltu Tufa walked onto the stage beautified by their Qoloo (red and black striped Arsii dress). Commuters  from the trams, chariots, trains and vehicles stopped to a glimpse of what was happening before their lights turned green.

The event was formally opened with the singing of the unofficial Oromo “anthem”:  Alaaba Oromo. This was followed by a fashion show and dance performces which led many to shed tears of happiness and pride.

Melbourne-based rappers featuring Milkeysa Ahmed and Dammeysa Ahmed aka Dee Banga moved the crowd with their creative and peotic rap and hip hop in Afaan Oromo and English. Through their poetry and rap, the youngsters lamented about Oromo heritage and political struggle. Their song was also about belonging and longing, roughly put as a yearning of someone trying to fit-in or finding one’s place both in Oromia and Australia.

Abdi Johar, a young star from one of the most reknowned cities of Oromia, Dire, sang ‘’Assabelahoo- one of the most famed  songs of the legendary Ali Birra. The ground beneath felt as if it’s literally moving. His voice and the meaningfulness of the song moved the heart and minds of Oromos, young and old. In the euphoria of the moment, the song brought memories of homesickness and a collective sense of statelessness. Of course the band entertainment would be incomplete without the performance of the one and only Kumala Adunya, kicking off his best work with ‘asheeta’ and taking us through the melodies and sounds of Oromia

At the conclusion of formal events, the crowd began to rock and roll Oromo style. As a symbol freedom and peace, white doves were released into the clear sky by the elders and  VIP guestsas crowd the screamed ‘’free Oromia’’ at their highest pitch.

Even after the formal conclusion of the event, the eunthisiastic crowd hang about fidgeting, posing for photos and anticipating about 2015, still in celbratory mood. It is no exaggeration to say Oromia @fedsquare was a celebration of Oromummaa in all of its diversity.

*The writer, Sinke Wesho, is a Melbourne-based OPride.com contributor.

Source: http://www.opride.com/oromsis/news/3782-oromia-at-federation-square-a-celebration-of-oromummaa

Former US Diplomat Calls for Free, Fair Elections in Ethiopia

FILE – Ethiopian migrants, all members of the Oromo community of Ethiopia living in Malta, protest against the Ethiopian regime.

December 22, 2014 (VOA News) — Former US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Herman Cohen said Ethiopia should not be afraid to have free and fair elections or a free press. Read more…