We give space here to the Memorandum of Understanding signed before 4 days between two leading Oromo organizations, FIDO and FIO. As we have recently interviewed Aman Kamsare, FIO's Vice Chairman, we believe that this great development perfectly corresponds to the promises and the discourses held by Mr. Kamsare. This is a Great Day for a Great Ancient African Nation that totals more than 30 million people.
Memorandum of Understanding among FIDO and FIO
Although Oromo people and nationalists have been engaged in a life and death struggle under different organizational labels, their ultimate goal remains the liberation of their land from the yoke of Abyssinian colonial system. Having different political groups/parties with competing ideas may be healthy for a nation, but a multitude of liberation organizations with no coordination and a centralizing strategic core has proved to be detraction.
It is undeniable fact that our enemies have capitalized upon this disunity between Oromo organizations. Abyssinian agents at the highest levels of leadership now have infiltrated some of Oromo organizations that were genuine at their inception. Most leaders of these organizations are openly hostile toward all genuine Oromo organizations and their efforts in regaining national independence. Their mission is to keep Oromo nationalists divided between competing groups in the hope of keeping our liberation movement weak and ineffective.
Oromo nationalists who have understood this conspiracy are flocking to genuine liberation organizations by the tens of thousands. As representatives of these organizations, we also recognize the lack of coordination among us as the main source of strength for our enemies. Therefore, in a clear and decisive departure with the past, the representatives of the following organizations:
1. Front for Independence and Democratic Oromia (FIDO)
2. Front for Independence of Oromia (FIO)
Deeply deliberated a strategic mechanism that enables the two sister organizations to forge unity and lead the broad masses of Oromia to victory.
After a positive discussion held by two liberation fronts of Oromia on April 28, 2007 in Oslo, Norway hereby resolved to continue further discussion that will eventually result in the intended goal of coming together as united front and also continue to hold a joint conference in the near future and take a confidence building measure that paves the way for real unity of purpose and action. On this discussion forum, these two fronts discussed on issues pertained to the national liberation struggle and about the means they can utilize to force the Ethiopian government troops leave Oromia and the right of the Oromo people to form independent GADAA republic of Oromia .
To realize this objective, the prospects ahead of us are bright. Therefore, we are certainly capable of achieving these aims. Hence, time is urging FIDO and FIO to come up with best strategy that enables them to wage the war of the independence of Oromia and that demands the taking of concrete steps.
1. Regenerate Oromo Nationalism and patriotism
The specific content of patriotism is determined by historical conditions. One best example of this is the Oromian patriotism that will eventually defeat the Abyssinian colonialism if the Oromian nationalists combine their patriotism with nationalism and fight together to defeat the aggressors and achieve national liberation. The victory of Oromia and the defeat of the invading Abyssinian colonialists led by a tyrant Meles Zenawi lies on the shoulders of FIO, FIDO, ULFO and other Oromo liberation organizations whose goal is to do the same.
2. FIDO and FIO Members should Set Examples in the National Struggle for Independence of Oromia
For the above reasons, FIO and FIDO members should show a high degree of initiative in the national struggle for independence, and show it concretely, that is, they should play an exemplary vanguard role in every sphere. National consciousness, national self-respect and national self-confidence are not sufficiently developed among the broad masses, the majority of the people are unorganized, Oromian military power is weak, the economy is backward and the political experience is limited and pessimism exists, and a lack of unity and solidarity is lacking.
Therefore, the members of FIO and FIDO and other genuine Oromo Organizations, including ULFO member organizations should assume the responsibility of uniting the Oromo nation in order to end the Abyssinian colonialism. Here, the exemplary vanguard role that FIDO and FIO including ULFO member organizations will play is vitally important. Fighting bravely, carrying out orders, observing discipline, doing political work and fostering internal unity and solidarity are few of the steps that need to be taken by these organizations and Oromian nationalists. Our friendly relationships, our cooperation and our firm stand to resist the Abyssinian occupation should uphold our united spirit that will strengthen our ability to carryout the day to day task that a liberation process may require. That is why every FIO and FIDO member must remain to be true to ones word and liberate oneself from arrogance and prejudice.
Our sincerity and positive sense of co-operation should become our motto to help us build good inter-organizational relations at national and global level.
FIO, FIDO and ULFO member organizations should work in harmony with all Oromo nationalists outside our organizations and endeavor to unite the entire Oromo nation to do away with disintegration and whatever manner undesirable. As for people who are politically backward, our members should not slight or despise them, but should be friendly to them, unite with them, convince them and encourage them to go forward. The attitude of FIO and FIDO nationalists towards any person who has made mistakes in his work should be one of persuasion in order to help him change and start afresh and not one of exclusion, unless he is incorrigible and proved Abyssinian agent.
FIDO and FIO members should set an example in being practical as well as far-sighted. For only by being practical can they fulfill the appointed tasks, and only far-sightedness can prevent them from losing their bearings in the march forward. FIO and FIDO members should therefore set an example in study; at all times they should learn from the masses as well as teach them. Only by learning from the people, from actual circumstances and from the friendly organizations and armies, and by knowing them well, can we be practical in our work and far-sighted as to the future. In a long war of independence and in adverse circumstances, the dynamic energy of the whole nation can be mobilized in the struggle to overcome difficulties, defeat the Abyssinian colonialism and build a new Oromia only if the Oromian independence forces and Oromian nationalists play an exemplary vanguard role to the best of their ability together with all the progressive elements among the friendly organizations and armies and among the masses.
3. Unite the Whole Oromian Nation and Combat Enemy Agents in its Midst
The best policy for overcoming difficulties, defeating the enemy and building new and free Oromia is to consolidate and expand Anti-Abyssinian colonialist ideology and build it at national level. However, there are already enemy agents playing a destructive role within, namely, capitulation, defeatists and pro-Abyssinian elements and the mouth piece of global conspiracy.
Genuine nationalists must always be on the look out for them, expose their criminal activities with factual evidence and warn the people not to be duped by them. FIDO and FIO members must sharpen their political vigilance towards these enemy agents. They must understand that the formation, expansion and consolidation of the national democratic united front for the independence of Oromia are inseparable from the exposure and weeding out enemy agents. FIO and FIDO firmly believe that it is entirely wrong to pay attention only to the one side and forget the other.
4. Expand; consolidate FIO, FIDO and ULFO member organizations Prevent Infiltration by Enemy Agents
To overcome the difficulties and to defeat the enemy and build new Oromia, FIO, FIDO and ULFO member organizations must become a national organization by opening their doors to all Oromians who are truly devoted to the cause of independence, who believe in the organizational principles, support pro free Oromia policies and are willing to observe organizational discipline and work hard. The Abyssinian colonialist secret services may ceaselessly try to disrupt our objective by smuggling undercover traitors but our determination must enable us to overcome these challenges.
5. Maintain Unity and the Independence of member Organizations of ULFO
To make ULFO functional and productive, every organization and group in the united front must preserve its ideological, political, and organizational independence.
In inter-organizational or group setting, we strictly adhere to the principle of the Gada principle that permits both the union of all liberation organizations and groups and the independent existence of each organization until the condition is ripe for equal, free and voluntary union or merger. At this stage to speak of unity alone is to abandon the Principle of Gadaa. The right of every organization to enter into the union or withdraw from the union must be unconditionally recognized and respected. Hence, the interest of the individuals or groups must be subordinated to the whole or collective interest and must not conflict with it. The policy of mutual help and mutual concessions, which we should advocate, is applicable not only to organizational relations but also to individual and national relations. Unity against Abyssinian colonialism requires an appropriate adjustment in individual and collective relations, a policy which does not leave individuals without self-esteem and material safeguards but also gives due consideration for the survival of the nation, thereby meeting the demands of solidarity against the enemy. It is wrong for the national liberation struggle to pay attention only to the one side and neglect the other.
6. A Call that demands our collective and Practical response
Beginning from year 2005, FIDO and FIO worked together and promoted awareness on the ideals of the liberation of Oromia by analyzing past, present and the future of Oromo struggle and finally concluded that,
1) FIDO and FIO must encourage the Oromians to re-join the Oromian liberation camp and contribute their knowledge and resources
2) Create a strategic alliance in order to end the Abyssinian colonial tyranny led by Tigray ruling elite in Oromia
3) Create and develop ULFO forum that will entertain discussions related to Oromian national strategy and political matters
4) Allow Oromian community organizations, representatives, individual nationalists, patriots, groups and independent organizations to join ULFO with the future goal of forming a formidable Oromian strategic leadership and National Assembly of Oromia.
5) Draft and adopt national strategic program that will serve all Oromians as a unifying platform.
6) Eradicate spontaneity, back biting, weakness, unnecessary bickering and factional politics.
7) Implement Oromian national ideology that plays a unifying role and build symbiotic relationship among all Oromian and by doing so, liberate Oromia from the yoke of Abyssinian colonialism and Meles Zenawi’s rug and thug regime.
Oromia shall be independent!
FIDO & FIO
April, 28 2007
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