Mulugeta Mossissaa , The TPLF/EPRDF Constitution: The reasons and dangers behind it, Dec. 2007
In terms of human rights protection, the constitution of the TPLF/EPRDF regime, the current ruling mono-ethnic clique in Ethiopia, appears more progressive than its two predecessors. Judging at face value, one can say that it is a great breakthrough in the history of Ethiopian constitutional history. Many elements of human and democratic rights are enshrined in the current constitution. Many of these democratic rights were what the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) had put forward during its partnership with the TPLF in the Transitional Government of Ethiopia between 1991 and 1992. The TPLF/EPRDF has adopted some of the proposals of the OLF in its constitution although for reasons totally different than envisaged by the OLF. Subsequent events have clearly shown that provisions of the TPLF constitution were merely devised to mask the massive human rights violations committed against particularly the Oromo people. No doubt it was also meant as a dilatory tactic against the struggle of the Oromo people for their natural rights for self-determination. Read more
Ibsaa Guutama, [Ethiopian] Millennium, a Disguise for Human Right Abuse, Sept. 2007
Oromo suffering is still continuing because of their number and Oromiyaa’s natural resources. Because they form a majority the introduction of democracy could take away the rein of authority from Habashaa oligarchy. If that happens they fear of being denied the use Oromo resources freely. For this reason let alone taking the initiative to democratize the empire they are not letting them in peace so that they will have no opportunity to think of rebellion. The army that occupied Oromiyaa starting from the first settlers’ period is still there, harassing and torturing the people every day for over a century. Read more at Gubrimans Publishing
Ibsaa Guutama, The Oromo Struggle, July 2007
There are Oromo groups that would like to remain within Ethiopia whether others like it or not. They only pray to be tolerated by the Ethiopians. Among these are those with nostalgia for the emperors and the Darg’s era. Others are those promised benefits like land and positions if they join the regime. Still others are those who fraudulently joined the movement with a mission of wrecking it and burying the thought of independence ones and for all. Still others are the confused nationalists who had fallen victims to alien machination. Even if they realize that later, they lack the ability to extract themselves from the quagmire. Read more at Gubrimans Publishing
Bahiru Duguma Ph.D./MBA, Globalization: Does it hinder or support the Oromo struggle, October, 2005
Globalization is not new. It is an age-old practice. The above analysis suggests that if anything, globalization and free market economy support and promote freedom and social justices. Certainly, it does not stand on the way of people aspiring to free themselves from despots and tyrants. Per the experience of USSR, Yugoslavia, Czechoslovakia, Ethiopia etc, it is the centrally controlled economic system that seems to have delayed the independence of colonized nations. Globalization successfully ended it for many nations. Why then is globalization offered as an explanation for the recent change of heart—from liberating Oromia to democratizing Ethiopia—on the part of the one time ardent supporters of the independence of Oromia? The motive remains a mystery. Regarding their commitment to democratize the colonial state, they have also branded it is as “a strategic move” and not a reversal of the original ideology. To this end, what they have not been able to articulate is, why the strategy that failed in 1991, when the political environment was much more favorable, is going to succeed this time around when the group is admittedly in a much weaker position. Similarly, the group has never been able to convincingly explain how the recycled strategy will lead to an outcome that is different that the Ethiopian Opposition groups are currently enduring. That fact is that, having attempted to democratize Ethiopia and won the recent election by a land slide victory, the group were declared losers and effectively kept out of the power corridor by the tyrant who is supported by a defense force made up of his village boys and girls. Read more at Oromia On-Line
