Liberating Oromiya: If no now, when? If not us, who?

By Leenjiso Horo

Bilisumma.com - Much has been talked; much has been discussed about independence. In the struggle against colonial occupation, the terms independence and liberation are used interchangeably. And so is, here, too. Independence cannot come in itself, or by itself or by begging for it, or by penning ones hopes on some external intermediaries or mediators. And it is neither a gift from the Heavenly Kingdom, nor it is a gift by the goodwill of the worldly kingdoms or rulers. Independence is a fruit of bitter struggle. Long ago, the Oromo nationalists understood this to be a self-evident truth that the independence of Oromiya rests on their shoulders, on their willingness and capacity to fight a bitter fight. With this understanding, four decades ago in 1970s, these nationalists, echoing a philosophical version of a 12th century moral philosopher’s (Rabbi Hillel’s) words, asked themselves two fundamental questions: liberating Oromiyaa: If no now, when? If not us, who? Read Full Article Bilisummaa.com