PRESS RELEASE
(Washington, DC) – Deeply concerned about the turmoil in the Horn of Africa, the gross human rights violations and incalculable material destruction inflicted by the Ethiopian government, Oromo Youth from across the nation in collaboration with other youth associations from the Horn of Africa are organizing a protest rally in Washington D.C on Monday March 31st, 2008. The demonstrators are calling upon the American government to reorient its policy approach in the region towards the respect for human rights, rule of law and democracy in the region and for American media outlets to expose this inhumane nature of the Ethiopian Woyanne government.
For about two decades now, the people of Ethiopia and the greater Horn of Africa have been suffering at the hands of the minority regime in Ethiopia. Innocent people are being tortured, humiliated, killed, women are raped, and villages are burnt. These atrocious crimes are being committed daily. The Ethiopian government is only able to inflict such widespread pain and suffering with the help of American taxpayers’ money and other Western funding.
Despite its strategic importance in the fight against terrorism and American prevalence in the region, far too little attention has been given to the unfolding human catastrophes. Using the war on terror as a pretext, the minority led government of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi has undermined the movement towards democracy, peace and development in the Horn of Africa. It spread as far as invading a neighbouring country, Somalia, violating the AU and UN Charters while shelling civilian areas indiscriminately and causing the death of tens of thousands of people, destruction of properties and the displacement of 1.5 million people from their home.
Since it usurped power undemocratically in 1991, the TPLF regime has committed untold crimes on the Oromo people jailing and killing tens of thousands of them. Zenawi’s regime has also been widely reported by International medias that the Ethiopian Woyanne government have sent its death squads to Ogaden to loot, murder, rape women and children, burn entire villages and expel aid agencies to stop food aid from getting to recipients in the area while preventing journalists and human rights organizations from having access in order to cover up the atrocity.
Thousands of Oromos have left their country and are living a fearful life in war ravaged Somalia, conflict ridden areas of Kenya and Sudan to escaping becoming an addition to the 20,000 Oromo prisoners of conscience throughout the country.
Fresh in our memories is the outrageous story of the heinous crime committed against Oromo refugees in Puntland’s Bosasso city of Somalia on February 5, 2008, where 65 Oromo refugees were bombed to death in daylight, while over 100 were also wounded. As almost all countries in the region rapidly descend into internal and external conflicts and with uncontrolled movement of Ethiopian army across borders, it is apparent that no place is safe for the indigenous Oromo in the Horn of Africa at large.
Therefore, we would like to reiterate that the American media has a duty to air our grievances and expose this inhumane nature of Ethiopian government. We would also like urge all to join with us to end an insult to humanity and give peace a chance in the Horn of Africa.
International Oromo Youth Association
PO Box 14668, Minneapolis, MN 55414
[email protected]
http://www.ioyn.org
14 thoughts on “Oromo youth to hold a protest rally in Washington D.C”
I fully support the struggle your are making for unhindered freedem and democretic rights of the Oromo people.The people of Oromia should enjoy full freedom without curtailment as is done by the Woyane regime.However,one thing you should be aware of and thatis forging unity with the entire people of Ethiopia.Don’t give room for separation and sectran divisions.Your struggle will triaumph.Cheer up!
For more info visit
http://oromantic.wordpress.com/2008/02/26/march-on-washington/
The oromo peaple deserves to be heard. Because in democrati countries the majorities have right to rule. The problem in our country is, the power is in the hands of minoriy regim . The oromo peaple have been subjugated for so long by different rulers of Ethiopia, and it is about time to stand up in unisome for their self determination. Viva Oromia! long leav the oromo peaple
I agree with it but ,do not be parochial. The supression & opperation is through out the country by the minority & divisive woyane. So try to be wise, unite & fight the illigitimate regime in Ethiopia. Not only oromos but also other nationalities too are suffering alot, so try to be rational & voice for all the voiceless.
Dear my Oromo’s brotheres and sisters!
Shame on our narrow ethnic sentement, still it is in our mind in this 21 st century. let us call all our Ethiopian brothers to join the demonstration and forward to expose the wayne regime. let leave our old journy with the so called OLF.I am from Oromo family but i will not agree with ethnicity
It is the secessionist policy perceived by others in the political program of OLF that is encouraging the depotic Zenawi regime to unleash heinous crimes not only on the Oromos but also the Amharas, Gouraghes, Tigreans et al. Unity in diversity of Ethiopians is the only potent weapon to terminate oppression by evicting the evil ruling regime from office.
Dear Robele Ababya,
Please, do not misrepresent OLF. OLF is not secessionist as such. The way I understand secession in OLF’s policy is as an option conditional on failure to establish democracy, freedom, justice and equality in Ethiopia. OLF while fighting for the rights of the Oromos, it is open to cooperate and work with other Ethiopians towards a just and democratic government in a united Ethiopia. “…If we don’t do this now don’t ask me later to stand against Oromos when they rise to fight back and decide to go out of the Ethiopian union and form their own country.” (Fekade Shewakena)
God Bless Ethiopia
Yes, rallyng for the just cause of the Oromo People and others is a noble job. We hear our people killed in the neighbouring countries, we hear all sorts of Oromo being killed, arrested, disappeared, tortured, etc. The only weapon we have got to let others listen to our cry is ‘Peaceful Demonstrations’ that you guys are currently preparing.
Let other Ethiopians also rally for such a Just Cause for the benefit of not only Oromo, but also, the entire Horn of Africa. Our today’s wound will reach others, no matter what way or who does it. The Human Rights issue is a borderless job that others need to visualise before it is too late.
The Oromo people and its ‘organisations’ do not have any hidden agenda. It is all about the rights of the Oromo People, which has been denied for a century or so. Let’s recognise this issue and face the challenges as people of that particular nation, Ethiopia. The problem of today’s Ogaden, Oromo, Amahara, or Tigire, Sidama, Guraghee, and many others, is sooner or latter become OUR own concerns.
The Oromo issue shouldn’t be construed as a ‘separatist’. Please do not fool yourself, brothers and sisters of Ethiopia. This is a very serious issue. Above all, as the former TPLF executive member, Siye Abraha, puts it: It is our concern! Do you see the picture of Ethiopia? Where is Oromia? The largest and the most bread basket of the entire nation. If this nation is mistreated, the whole Ethiopia will never get peace! The land of Oromo people is currently echoing the same word, period! Try to share this issue as your own; together, we can make Ethiopia a democratic, safe and peaceful nation where all peoples’ fundamental rights are respected regardless of their background!
The choice is yours and mine! Keep this word! Do not try to tell us whether or not any Oromo organisation is good/bad for us. We know ours better than being told from the outset! Just keep yours to yourself. The issue is now, not about ‘that’ or ‘this’ political organisation right/wrong. It is about our people, who are suffering from a minority-led regime of the northern Ethiopian elite, the Tigire!
No right-minded person say that this group should govern Ethiopia, let alone the Oromo! This group has no any legitimacy on Oromo People or other people of Ethiopia. Either they should go through the peaceful means or face the consequence! The decision is up to the Ethiopian people, not a minority supported by the WEST!
If Hitler can be acused of 6 million lives, Meles Zenawi and his Tigrean circles have killed at least 12 million children women and children throughout horn of Africa. Then why do we bother to even mention the name Hitler! The worst form of Hitler is doing the mass killing right at this minutes with the assistances of those who acuses of the former. World stop
training, arming, funding the worst butcher/s of Adwa onto the people of HOA. African Hitler has killed more innocent children and parents he and his clan circles must be handed to hague criminal court sooner.
As all of you said the violation of human rights, massacare of people in Ethiopia by giving the falsified reason of Teriorism and anti-ddemocracy is done all in all the country. So let us stand together to bring the system of good governance and democracy by throwing the Dectatorship regime Weyanne.
God bless Ethiopia
Dear Minale,
I only said ‘perception’ of secession by others. My sincere wish as an Oromo is that the majority should stay in the struggle until Ethiopia is a democratic home of justice and prosperity for all.
Are you people insinuating that all Tigrians are the same, in that they are ALL part of the Woyanne govt/conspiracy? Don’t be ridiculous! The minute you bunch all Tigrays together as elitists and oppressors, who comprise a small majority of the Ethiopian population, and therefore cannot govern Ethiopia, your cause losses traction…each region/state is sooo corrupt that to single any one group is, again, ridiculous! Stop separating the Ethiopians…
Dear Robele Ababya,
Thank you for responding so kindly. I think the phrase needs to be corrected as ‘misperception of secession by others’.
I have no doubt OLF will continue playing lead role in making democratic Ethiopia a reality; despite the misperceptions that generated the suspicions and confusions among others. But what can be done in case all the rest refuse to recognize the rights of the Oromos? I do not expect OLF to respond to suspicions and confusions in a different way than speaking the truth louder.
God Bless Ethiopia.
It is good idea but unless you do the following you may not make difference.
First and for most let all Ethiopian youth get envolved.The voice of Oromo youth alone or few Somaley or Eritrea youth come out with you does not make any difference from what we are now.
Secondly one day march on Washington byitself is not enough.You have to set an example by calling all Ethiopian youths to form unity to fight this hooligan group and that is the only way left to get rid of them.Unless you broaden your horizen your fate will be as that of Olf.
Keep up good work.