Despite what has been reported by some media, it seems the current split in the leadership of the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) has been caused by disagreements over how fast to bring change in the organization… As things stand now, if the revolutionaries, who have the full backing of the Eritrean government, solidify their control of the organization, OLF can be a leading force in bringing an end to the Woyanne rule in Ethiopia within a short time… more details later
21 thoughts on “The split between incrementalists and revolutionaries in OLF”
I haven’t yet seen their possitions clearly!!
temelkach
As Mark Twain said “my untimely death” is exaggerated – so is the split in OLF ranks – I hope and pray, the two groups narrow down their differences and work together for the common good – the last thing we need at this time is division among genuine Oromos who are striving to liberate Oromos and other Ethiopians from the yoke of Tigrai tyranny!
As an Oromo Ethiopian, I wish to applaud both Dr. Bayan and Mr. Lencho for a civilized political discourse they demonstrated on the interview. Dr. Bayan referred to his opponents as brothers who are misguided but never questioned their intent. Ato Lencho also said that the discourse is the result of many years frustration, trial and tribulation by the enemy – and most of all the ever growing repression against the Oromo by Woyane.
Both groups have the Oromo cause at heart – and despite the wishes of Woyane and others who wish demise to OLF including Woyane proxy websites such as Ethiomedia, who would like to see the disintegration of OLF, the two groups expressed their tactial vision for achieving the legitimate and rightful place for the Oromo people in the democratic republic of Ethiopia.
They both agree this can only be achieved on the grave of the fascistic Woyane who have killed, jailed and persecuted hundreds and thousands of Oromos during their 18 years of tyranny.
Could this be the demise of weyanes evil empire in Ethiopia? no matter how much of flexing of muscle there is by the “northern command” weyane is bleeding to its death with in and out of the country. I hope the next leaders of Ethiopia will lead the beautiful people of the horn to a new era with peace and prosperity with all of their brothers and sisters neighbors. Lets hope the divide and rule of weyanes are buried to it grave; lets hope the awarding and rewarding Ethiopias land to the highest bidders come to an end; lets hope the beautiful Ethiopian children never be abuse or molested by the so called “NGO’s”; lets pray for Ethiopians to be matured and take care of their own affairs- instead of the treasonous Eritreans who are advising and leading the ugly midget men!
OLF, muste absolutely, abandon/give up its so called independence and instead work with other Ethiopian national organizations under democratic principles and rule of law.Oromos are free, have been free they don`t need foreign helps. Oromos are Ethiopians and Ethiopia belongs to oromos as well as to all who lives there.
Democracy and rule of law which is important, and one man one vote.
I wish many writers such as brother Namara above can always update us about the Oromo issue whenever possible. The Oromo people should not let Woyannee proxy websites such as Ethiomedia define the agenda for the Oromo people or the OLF who are inseparable.
I urge the Ethiopian Review and other progressives to continue their good work fighting and exposing the Woyannee agenda while maintaining their stand on unified opposition against the tribalist fascist Woyannees. I also applaud the stamina and dedication of the Oromo people despite all the odds while fighting the Woyannee Tigraians. So far, the Woyannees strategy has been to keep the Oromos at odds against each other and against other ethnic groups in the country as well as against our own brothers and sisters in Eritrea and Somalia but the Oromo people have rejected this crafty and cunning Woyanne tactics.
I urge the Oromo people and everyone else who have good interest of Ethiopia and peace and stability in the Horn African region to work for the unity of the Oromo people in particular and the whole opposition in general.
Namara said: “…rightful place for the Oromo people in the democratic republic of Ethiopia.”
None of the two factions clearly stipulated what you just said. The two men were asked yesterday clearly on VOA whether they struggle for freedom and liberty of the Oromo in one democratic/republic Ethiopia or fight for the secession and independence of “oromia” from the rest of Ethiopia. The political objective of the old OLF is known and that is why they are were they are but the rep of the new faction failed to explain if they have any fundamental difference in terms of mission etc.
As Elias pointed out, the new factions doesn’t seem to have a different political mission or objective than keeping the status quoi, i.e. the independence of hypothetical ‘oromia’ from Ethiopia. I don’t think this new faction will have better success than the previous without fundamental change and assessment of the new reality throughout the horn. Otherwise, good luck, General Kemal.
something better than sleeping at all. whether they split or come toghther we need change.ethiopia and oromia shall be free.
The difference between the likes of General Gelchu and the old OLF leadership is not over wether they should fight for a democratic Ethiopia or a state of Oromo, it is over the failed leadership of the old guard in the OLF who don’t have a sense of direction and can’t even scare the Woyanne regime like the smaller opposition groups are, unless the OLF intensifies the armed struggle the Woyanne regime will not give up or succumb to student demonstrations or crying over people being oppresed and jailed. The only language that the fascist Woyanne regime understands is the language of armed force. The new revolutionaries will truimph and take over the leadership of the OLF, that is when Woyanne will have more sleepless nights and start to retreat to Tigray, that is when the Eritrean armed forces will help the opposition groups finish off Woyanne for good and stop them from transferring the stolen Ethiopian wealth from being transferred to Sudan and Djibouti.
I wish OLF works for the freedom of all Ethiopians. I do not see the advantage of the split in the organization. If they could not come to one agreement and compromise btn them, how could they work with the rest of the Ethiopian opposition to benefit all of us.
The long awaited sesimic change in the OLF leadership could be in the final analysis be what the doctor ordered. The tactical and strategic shift will hasten the demise of the Agaazi Tribal Council.
The political heat in Asmara is at a boiling point. The political tsar, Yemane Gebreab, who is a frequent guest of honor at Eritrean festivals in North America is staying put in Asmara. The word in the streets of Asmara is that the new leadership of reformists is in full control of the organization with the blessing of the Eritreans.
The Dedebit Mafia are findinig hard to fathom this new political development coming from the north of all places from Asmara.As usual the spoilt child from Adwa is wetting his pants.
in order to battle the tribalist brother of lucifer zenawi we need every organization operating within Ethiopia – OLF unfortunelty has been flurting with TPLF for too long and having the Oromo brothers and sisters being arrested, tortured and killed by the agazis becuase I believe some individuals in the Olf leadership are still working for Meles – The organization needs house cleaning – we know those hard liners are too comfortable to come out and face the heat there by weakning the fighting spirit of the Oromo people and allowing division within – we need to support those that are willing to stand with the suffering of the rest of Ethiopia and fight the cruelest and the most destructive tribalist regime of zenawi in unisom.
an organization that fails to update itself depending on the changinging external circumstances will not be as effective as it should be. This applies to an organization including the OLF.
i AM GLAD THAT the heroes of ethiopia and oromos like kemal gelchu are smarter than those would be intellectuals who care about their own safety and politics than the ordinary oromo who is being killed, looted and imprisoned by the TPLF cadres and OPDO CRONIES.
TO THE OROMO ELITES AND THEIR SUPPORTERS, I WANT TO SAy THAT DO NOT LET THE OLD THINKING ABOUT THE OLD NEFTEGNA BLIND OUR RESOLVE FOR A CHANGE IN ETHIOPIA FOR THE BETTER. lET US CONCENTRATE ON FIGHTING THE NEW NEFTEGNA AND ACHIEVE FREEDOM FOR OUR PEOPLE AND FOR THE PEOPLE OF ETHIOPIA AT LARGE.
For other people of ethiopia, i want to say that let us not look to the weak incremental OLF. let us also organize ourselves in our own ethnic groups so that when the time comes to act, we can defend those with guns from hijacking the opportunity to start their own dictatorial rule.
Let us get ready to prevent any dictator from hijacking the people’s victory and reinstate their own narrow rule over the people of ethiopia.
We should never forget what the DERG MAFIA and the TPLF mafia did in the aftermath of past glorious victories.
haile
Selam ER,
since I heard the revolution movement within the leadership and heard the voa interview my hope revived to the come back of the holy land, Ethiopia. We Ethiopians never cared whether an oromo, gurage, amara, gambela etc.. is our leader. We have witnessed woyane destroyed the fabric of our society. It gave land to sudan where amaras, oromos, gambelas.. lived for centuries. Unless we unite and fight this satanic creature we
all will be consumed by the fire while we talking about ethnic rights; instead of fighting for the basic human needs and democratic right. but now the new leaders hope will lead the country ETHIOPIA to a new level of people cooperation and resolve many problems the askaris left to us.
wey gud
The self assessment of OLF concerning its direction and final goal is a good step forward by all accounts. It is healthier to put ones own house in order before confronting the enemy with full force.
I am always hopeful that all armed opposition groups will come together to rid the horn from the fascist weyane regime.
Ethiopia has been suffering from the abuses of the ruthless regime of Meles and his TPLF crime associates. In order to remove this evil regime, OLF and others in Ethiopia need to face the fact that ONLY armed struggle and absolutely nothing else will oust this bestial gangs. Everthing else is academic.
Do whatever you want: split or unite, practice Ghandi/Mandela-like peaceful political pressure, public demonstrations, talk shop political discussion forums etc., in the end of the day Meles WILL confront you with what he likes and knows best and that is his military machine. Now what you gonna do?. Just don’t be naive and hope that U.N. or some other external body will come to your rescue.
OLF, in particular, has been around since the Dergue, and therefore is expected to know better.
Dr.Bayan and your group, please think wisely and genuiely what were you doing during your last stay on post??????? you and your group are running after all for you advantage not for Oromo’s!!!!!! Don’t think that as only you and your group know the way and existing reality of the day. Don’t be ridged’ your Organizational objective like the doctrine in the bible!! I as have concern for Oromo I belive that you will never bring victory for Oromo with your Dogmatic ideological charcter except counting a century!!!! Biyya Faranjii teessani Ummata Oromoo Maqaa keesaniin Ficisiissu ala Faayyidaa hin qabdan!!!! Kuni Dhugaaaaaaa!!!! Galatoomaa
Dhuggaa Baasaa irra
in a country where you are the majority you do not go for independence
OLF will never be succesful unless it stops saying “Ethiopia” and “Oromia” as if different nations.
OLF needs to be updated, otherwise they remain as a gurila fighters with out any succes for the rest of thier life (now is about 30 +years). Not only Ethiopians , but also the world, in particular the west (US and Erope) which want one strong nation called Ethiopia in the volatile horn of African region. So no one allawed OLF’s ambition of dismantling the country.
OLF, while its primary objective is the liberation of the Oromo people from the Tyranny of the Ethiopian government, seeks cooperation with other organizations. So, if OLF is seen as important partner to work with, cooperation has to be worked on honestly without bearing a hidden agenda. In other words, if OLF is seen as ineffective, it has to be ignored.
Some times it seems that every effort of the struggle is directed towards changing or killing OLF, instead of librating the Ethiopian people from the tyranny of ‘Woyane’. Please, there is no logic in going beyond cooperation, and expecting OLF to change its objective. As Obo Lencoo said in his interview with VOA, ensuring the unity of Ethiopia requires much more than slogans and songs, there is a lot to be done in practice.
OLF and the Oromo people do not have the desire to rule over Ethiopia, even if the way is open, rather they seek to work together with others to form a government which is based on the will of the people. So, it would be illogical to expect an organization that represents the Oromo people to fight for all Ethiopian people. Instead all Ethiopians should stand up for their rights and join hands with OLF.
There is something which really makes me sick when I think of some of ethinic based political groups? Do you really know your people? Tell me esti – have you ever heard an ormo farmer undermining his Ethiopianism. He is an Oromo Ethiopian. You also contributed to the tribal politics more than any body else.
The world is talking about Globalization and the unlucky once (us) are still talking about tribalism. Librating one from another – Lets agree – All ethinic groups has to be treated equally and previlaged. (Ethiopia is you and Me)That is it. But if it is only a change of a name and if one is taking the power to revenge the other – no use. Sessionism doesn’t benefit even peoples who have fought more than 30 years. They are still oppressed by their own —-.
Let the best rule. Let any ethinic group rule. Let people choose what they want. Do not put words in the mouth of voicless. Just give them a chance to vote – they will show you turning out in Millions that they are still proud of being Ethiopians – Just like the 2005 election. So the so called political gropus – wake up and see the reality – peoples are more aware about world politics (realities) than you imagined.
Love to all Ethiopian People – Proudly Ethiopian