Oromo Democratic Front in New Year’s Message: ‘Two Pivotal Steps Await Us in 2014′

January 01, 2014  

As the year 2013 gives way to 2014, we, members of the Oromo Democratic Front (ODF), wish our fellow Oromo as well as all the other peoples of Ethiopia a Happy New Year! The launching of the ODF in 2013 heralded the entry of the decades-old struggle of our people for self-determination into a brand new phase. This re-articulation of the objectives of the Oromo struggle for self-determination is predicated on forging a close relation between our quest for our national rights and the struggle for same rights by all those living in our proximate environment. We proceeded from the deeply held conviction that justice is indivisible as attested to by the now renowned observation that “injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”

Our re-articulation of the Oromo struggle in this inclusive manner reflects our conviction that both change and continuity should guide our movement hereafter. And we draw courage from the fact that our bold step has received resounding support and endorsement by our peace and freedom loving people and others in Ethiopia and the region. This re-articulation of the objective of the Oromo struggle would afford the Oromo the opportunity to play their appropriate role in contributing to the achievement of the next breakthrough in the realization of both democracy and genuine federalism in Ethiopia. We believe this is the only workable alternative to finally putting to rest the contentious status of the Ethiopian state by forging it into the common state of all its inhabitants equitably serving their interests and reflecting their diverse identities.

While remaining cognizant of the many challenges that still lie ahead, we are encouraged by the acceptance and support extended to the ODF and its vision by an increasing sector of our people and others. We are emboldened by a general revival in the Oromo camp. Even though the voices are not synchronized, we are witnessing a new reawakening afoot. Two pivotal steps await us in 2014. The first would be positioning ourselves to directly interacting with our society at home. The other is engaging with the representatives of other nations so as to realize a country-wide alternative inclusive movement for Ethiopia’s democratic transformation. As we call upon all concerned to garner the political will to exploit any favorable local, regional, and international opportunities to bring about the next political breakthrough in Ethiopia so that social, political and economic freedom for all will finally dawn, we are prepared to make deals with any group so long as it contributes to moving us closer to transforming Ethiopia into a common state for all.

We conclude by urging the Oromos and all other peoples in Ethiopia to redouble their efforts to ensure freedom and security for all since one’s group’s security and peace cannot be secured in isolation from that of others. As we start the New Year, we renew our effort to reach out to and mobilize all the country’s diverse peoples to become active participants in these processes.

Finally, we call up on all political organizations in Ethiopia to leave behind our destructive political legacy of engaging in zero-sum struggle by seriously embracing civility and tolerance.

Happy New Year!