Oromo dhageffadha video kana… For Oromo and Somali land people

‪#‎Oromoprotests‬ Global solidarity really in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Aug 19/2016

Odaa Bultum irraa

Fincilli Xumura Gabrummaa baatii Sadaasaa bara 2015 Qeerroo Adda Bilisummaa Oromootiin bifa addaan  eegale, hanga har’aa itti fufe,  bakka isiin itti baqattu ykn dhokattu waan dhorkateef, marfama  keessaa kan baasu itti fakkaatee, mootummaan Ixoophiyaa/wayyaanee oggaa inni batattisu argaa jirra.

Hagayyaa gaafa 8, 2016 irraa eegalee, hojjetoota Oromiyaa hojii mootummaa dhaaban sobaa fi olola kijibaatiin amansiifatee hojiitti deebisuuf akkasumas ammoo, karaa  bilisummaa Oromiyaa irraa maqsuuf,  hoogganooti mootummaa Ixoophiyaa.Dr Gebretsiyooniin durfaman(Itti aanaa Muumicha Ministeeraa fi Dura Taa’aa humna Koreentii Impaayera Ixoophiyaa) Vidiyoo Confernce’n ABO irratti olola oofaa jiru.  “ Hoogganoota ABO tu  biyya alaa fi biyyoota ollaa keessa taa’ee  ololaan  ummata Oromoo mootummaa irratti kakaasaa jira.  Dhaaboti mormitoota Oromoo biyya keessa jiran, waggoota dheeraaf karaa nagaa mootummaa waliin hojjechaa kan turan oggaa ta’u waggoota 25 darbeef  mootummaa kana kan nagaa dhowwaa jiru ABO dha.   ABO’n yoo mootoummaa qabate, mishooma ummatni Oromoo mootummaa Ixoophiyaa irraa argate ni  dhabamsiisa, eenyummaan Oromoo waggoota 25 darbe keessatti awwaalame eessaa ka’e?, gaafa nuhi tigraayitti galle hidhattooti Oromoo kuffiyyaa lafa keessanii kadhattuu taatu fi ABO’n farra nageenyaa fi mishoomaa ti.”   Jechuun, gama kaaniin, jaarolee bitamtuu OPDO ta’ani fi Oromoo keessatti kabajaa fi dhageetti hin qabne walitti qabatuun bobbaafatee ummata Oromoo  keessatti sodaa facaasuu fi mormii ummata Oromoo gargar qooduun qabsoo bilisummaa Oromiyaa fuulduratti utaalaa jiru luugama isaa boodatti harkisuufis, hawwamee tattaaffiin abdii kutannaa mootummaa Ixoophiyaatiin godhamaa jira. Kana qofa osoo hin taane, “ Mootummaan Ixoophiyaa ABO waliin  haasawee,rakkoon siyaasaa Ixoophiyaa karaa nagayaa akka furamuuf Gamtaan Awurooppaa ABO hafeeree jira.” jechuudhaan, Ummatni Oromoo abdii isaa Gamtaa Awurooppaa irra kaayyatuun, Fincila Xumura Gabrummaa qeerroo ABOtiin geggeeffamaa jiru dhiisee  manatti akka galu gochuufis  Tika mootummaa Ixoophiyaatiin ololli kijibaa    yeroo ammaa kana Oromiyaa keessa facaafamaa jira.

Olola bifa armaan oliitiin oofamaa jiran irraa, amma illee, akkuma waggoota 25 darbee, ummata Oromoo:kijibuun, sodaachisuun, gargar qooduuni fi ABO irratti olola oofuun umurii : ajjeechaa, hidhaa, dhiitama mirga dhala namaa fi  saamicha qabeenyaa Oromiyaa itti fufuu malee, mootummaan wayyaanee, dhugaa lafa jiru amanuun, ilaalcha fi dhaabbii isaa jijjiirratee, gaaffii bilisummaa sabootaa kan jaarraa tokko oliif   Impaayerattii jeeqaa jiru,  karaa nagaa furuuf tasuma fedhii fi qophii akka hin qabne kan ifa taasisuu dha. Gama birootiin,ilmi isii rasaasaa Agaziitiin oggaa ajjeeffamu, haati boowuu fi gadduu dhiiftee, “Dhiigi mucaa kootii dhangala’ee hin hafu. Oromiyaan ni bilisoomti !” jettee oggaa dhaadatutti: kijibi,  ummata Oromoo fincila irraa akka dhaabduuf hawwamee jaarolee bitamtuu bobbaafachuu fi ABO irratti olola dharaa oofuun, ummata Oromoo karaa bilisummaa irraa ni deebisa jedhanii yaadunis, hagam sammuun mootummaa kanaa dulloomee yaaduu akka dadhabe kan mirkaneessuu dha. Walumaagalatti, tooftaa dulloomaa kan waggoota 25 darbeef dhimma itti bahame fi ummatni Oromoo irratti dammaqee gurra isaa cuqqaalate, umurii aangoo isaanii kan dheeressuufi itti fakkaatee itti fufanii dhimma bahuuf tattaafatuun, “kiyyatu caalaa fi anatu si beekaa”  aadaa siyaasaa godhatan saniin, gaaffii ummata Oromoof amma illee Ixoophiyaanoti  tuffii qabaachuu qulqulleessee kan dhugoomsuu dha.

Gama kaaniin, ‘hoogganni ABO, biyyoota alaa fi ollaa taa’ee, ummata Oromoo mootummaa Ixoophiyaa irratti fincilisiisuutti jira’ jedhanii oggaa olola oofan, dandeettii isaan hin qabne ABO’n akka qabuu fi isaan irra, ABO’n, siyaasaa Impaayerattii irratti olaantummaa akka qabu of irratti ragaa bahuu dha. Mootummaan: qawwee, baankii, taankii, mana hidhaa, caasaa bulchiinsaa, caasaa basaasaa, raabsii sanyii midhaanii, xaahoo, hojii,  meeshaa ololaa fi  jireenya ummata Impaayeratti hunda to’atu, akkasumas, filannoo darbe irratti harka 100 injifachuu labsate fi ABO dhabamsiifneera jechuun waggoota 25 darbeef  dhaadachaa ture, ji’oota muraasaa asi, rakkoo isaatiif ogguu ABO balaalefatu dhagahuun, mootumichi ummata Oromiyaa biratti: kan jibbamee fi tuffame qofa osoo hin taane, mootummaa kufuuf daddaaqamaa jiru ta’uu isaa kan dhugoomsuu dha. Sochi Fincila Xumura Gabrummaa rasaasi dadhabe, jaarsolee maallaqaan bitanii  bobbaafachuun of irraa qabbaneessuuf tattaafatuunis, ‘laaqii siyaasaa gannoota 25 darbee,  itti fufanii keessa gangalatuuf, akkasumas ammoo, maraamartoo siyaasaa waggoota 25 darbee, kan dhangalaasanii funaanuu’ san irra, waan haaraa yaaduuf sammuun hoogganoota wayyaanee guutummaatti cufamuu fi   dadhabuu isaa qulqulleessee kan agarsiisuu dha.

Waan kana ta’eef, mootummaa: ummata Oromoo biratti jibbame, tufame, yaaduu dadhabe fi  tooftaan harkatti dulloome, akkasumas,  kiyyatu caalaa fi  anatu sii beekaadhaan of tuulummaan machaawe/farshaane fi kufaatiif daddaaqamaa jiru kana, ummatni Oromoo xumura itti gochuuf, gootummaa fi muratnoo haga ammaatti agarsiiseen, Fincila Xumura Gabrummaa Qeerroo ABOtiin hoogganamu finiinsuu qaba. “ABOtu biyya kana nagaa dhowwachaa jira” jechuun ololli wayyaaneedhaan oofamu, ABO’n hangam ummata Oromoo biratti: dhageetti, fudhatama, deggersa fi sochii Oromiyaa irratti ajajuun olaantummaa siyaasaa akka qabu waan mirkaneessuuf, qabsoo haga ammaatti geggeesseen olaantummaan siyaasaa dhaaba kanaan argame, bakka : “siidaa Minilik, masaraa Mootummaa Impaayera Ixoophiyaa fi Caffee mootummaa Gabroomfataa impaayera Ixoophiyaatti” alaabaa mootummaa walaba Oromiyaa dhaabuun haga xumuramutti, ummatni Oromoo, hoogganummaa ABO qofa jalatti qabsoo isaa itti fufee finiinsuun yoom iyyuu caalaa har’a hedduu  barbaachisaa dha. Har’a, ‘bakka hin facaafnee haammachuuf’ kanneen  olii fi  gadi fiigaa jiran, ‘jaldessi siyaasaa’, Oromoo keessatti argamaa jiran. Har’a, ‘osoo  adamoof hin bobba’in, foon gadamsaa adamsituun ajjeeftee qirichachuuf Oromooti tokkoo tokko ogguu isaan billaa qaratan’ arguutti jira. “ Osoo ofii hin ajjeesin, faacha gafarsa dhiirti ajjeeftee” hatanii   qaanyii tokko malee geeraruu  kanneen barbaadanis argamaa jiru.  Kanaaf, jaldeessummaa siyaasaa bifa kanaan ummata Oromoo keessatti mul’atus, halkanii  fi guyyaa hordofuun, hiree ummata Oromoo, kan bilisummaa Oromiyaa keessaa  harka isaanii akka dachaafataniif  dura dhaabbachuun, injifatnoo haga ammaatti argame tikfatuunis hojiilee fardii  yeroo ammaa keessaa tokko akka ta’e hundi keenya daqiiqaaf illee dagatuu hin qabnu. Ilmaan Oromoo, Adda Bilisummaa Oromoo jala hiriiruun , lubbuu bakka bu’aa hin qabne, bilisummaa Oromiyaatiif dabarsanii kennaniif gumaa ummatni Oromoo baasuu qabu kana qofa.

Dhuga dirree jiru, kijibi dhoksuu hin danda’u !

Jaldeessummaan siyaasaa Oromoo irraa haa dhaabbatu !

Abdiin Bilisummaa Oromyaa, ABO fi ummata bal’aa Oromoo ti !

Injifatnoon Ummata Oromoof  !

By Baro keno Deressa

OLF is an organization established in 1973 by Oromo nationalists to culminate the uncoordinated resistance by brave sons and daughters of Oromo people against colonialist hegemony as well as oppression and suppression of the Oromo people and their culture and to promote self-determination for the Oromo people against “Abyssinian colonial rule”.  The birth of the OLF was a turning point in the history of Oromo people’s struggle for freedom. Now, nationally and internationally the Oromo people are intensifying the struggle for its rights more than any time in the history of the Liberation struggle.  Our struggle is now transforming from limited sector of the nation to the popular revolution.  The OLF articulated the Oromo national question and skillfully set the target for the Oromo national struggle. As an organization the OLF deserves all the credit for almost all political gains achieved by the Oromo people.

Why the OLF is the immune system of the Oromo people?  Firstly, what is immune system?

The immune system is made up of a network of special cells, proteins, tissues, and organs, defends people against germs and microorganisms every day in order to keep people healthy and preventing infections. The immune system is the body’s defense against infectious organisms and other invaders, through a series of steps called the immune response, the immune system attacks organisms and substances that invade body systems and cause disease.

The century long colonial power in Ethiopian empire have committed and still committing all inhuman atrocities, against Oromo people and other oppressed nations. These act of colonial rule create many challenges to form unity-in-diversity.  Namely:

• Challenge of our history: The Oromo peoples believes that we have to confess our past history to build a better future. There are times in our lives when we have to realize our past is precisely what it is, and we cannot change it. But we can change the story we tell ourselves about it, and by doing that, we can change the future.
• Challenge of Socio-economic inequalities
• Absence of appropriate constitutional settlement
• Absence of institutions for democracy and development

In order to solve those critical issues the Oromo peoples are promoting:

• Nations are able to manage their political and social disputes peacefully, without lapsing into conflict, or sustain economic growth without creating huge inequalities, critically depend on the quality of the relevant national institutions.
• Support the principles of democracy such as the forming of government based on the will of the majority, respect for the rule of law, and respect for basic freedoms.

Oromo peoples believes that there is no common agreement will be achieved while the nations are living such parallel lives:

• Colonizers are living as the killers while the oppressed nations are dying
• Colonizers are refusing to accept and respect the right for self-determinations while oppressed nations are crying for their right
• Colonizers are working to divide and rule while the oppressed nations are fighting for unity.
• Colonizers are looting and enriching their close families while oppressed nations are suffering from natural and man made disasters
• Colonizers are cheating while oppressed nations are believing

Most of us (The Oromo peoples, Oppressed nations, former colonizers) now agree that we do not want military rule, our visions and practice of democracy are not uniform, showing a fundamental lack of consensus on this important question as well.  That is why OLF is insisting on the basic demand of the Oromo people and other oppressed nations that is, full freedom to have a legal right on self –determination.  In order to achieve this goal OLF is fulfilling his tasks as immune system:

• Detecting the enemy plan and tactic in order to expose to the public and preparing action plan.
• Attacking the enemy plan and distracting their goal in order to empower our peoples struggle and oppressed nations for freedom.
• Leading our goal forward on the ground in multiple ways, Planning next step and promoting international diplomacy

What are the practical action of this fact:

• Strengthen our freedom fighters in all corners of our country
• Organizing the Oromo people from rural area to the heart of Oromia
• Strengthen our partners by empowering the oppressed nations. To give you an example, forming Peoples Alliance for Freedom and Democracy (PAFD).
• Promoting Oromo nations demand on the international arena. To give you an example of this fact and motivation of point number 3: let me give you one remark of the recent European union response on the roundtable discussion:

Rroundtable discussion of Oppressed Peoples of Ethiopia at the European Parliament

PAFD – a pan-Ethiopian alliance founded in October 2015 – to European policy-makers and other interested parties. To that end, representatives of PAFD presented the alliance’s goals and guiding principles and provided updates on the deteriorating human rights situation in Ethiopia.

Mr Abdirahman Mahdi, the PAFD International Relations Bureau, drew attention to the opportunities that PAFD can offer and elaborated on why it is only through the concerted effort of all of Ethiopia’s suppressed groups that democratic change and freedom for all Ethiopians can be brought about.

Dr Baro Keno Deressa, in turn, gave a chilling account of how the Ethiopian government continues to harass, forcefully disappear, torture and kill ordinary Oromo People, Ogaden people, Sidama people, Gambella and Benishangul peoples and other oppressed nations in Ethiopian Empire with impunity, stressing that urgent action and strong alliances are needed to put an end to the immense suffering of Oromo’s and other Oppressed nations in Ethiopia Empire.

Member of European parliament and various delegations:

• highlighted the importance of giving a voice to the voiceless and reiterated their commitment to support the Oppressed peoples.
• confirms the significance of alliances such as PAFD in order to overcome further crisis.
• Other influential delegate underlined urgency of the situation in Ethiopia.

Conclusions:

Nobody has right to tell us about peace because we Oromo people are nation of peace, nation of democratic rule, nation of justice and equality. We are always against all injustices and we are ready to defend all kinds of violations.

Nobody has right to tell us about generosity, because we are nation of love. We have helped and supporting innocent nations of Amhara’s, tiger’s when they come to our country to collect coffee or to work in the agriculture sector, we have treating them when they were sick, we have respected them as equal human being despite their social status, we are loving them us our families not as strangers.

Nobody has right to tell us about patriotism because we have nation of heroes, for century long there is no Ethiopian colonial rule survive without the patriotic act of Oromo sons and daughters.  But our price was humiliation and death  “when it comes to power and money Oromo’s are the last to touch the desk and when it comes to the human-right and equality Oromo’s are the first to be victim of the system”.  Now, when we say it is enough and it is time to build my country Oromia and regain my right as human being, individuals or groups with colonial system and mind have to setback and respect the demand of oppressed nations.  Refusing this fact and try to create all kinds of analysis, tactics and strategies will leads the Ethiopian Empire, horn of Africa and world in general to the hell of 21^st century.   

OLF recognize the critical role of empowering ourselves in order to keep up with the rest of the world and more importantly to keep pace with our enemies, implement proactive initiatives for adapting strategic and tactical approaches in order to bring effective solution. In order to facilitate the faction of our immune system-OLF, I call, To the Oromo people, to the Oromo intellectuals and to the Oromo political Organizations, dear brothers and sisters supporting and strengthen OLF means empowering our peoples struggle, promoting our goals and eradicating colonization.

Victory to the Oromo people!

Dr. B.K.DERESSA, Medical degree in internal medicine, specialized in Gastro-Hepatology diseases. University Hospital of Brussels-Belgium

ESAT Dhimma Keenya Bafqaaduu Morodaa With Obbo Obbo Garasuu Tufaa Part 1, Aug 2016

ESAT Dhimma Keenya Bafqaaduu Morodaa With Obbo Obbo Garasuu Tufaa Part 2, Aug 2016

Athlete Feyisa Lilesa, who clocked 2nd and took Silver in this year’s Rio Olympic in men’s Marathon, crossed the finishing line with his hands crossed, a sign that is now widely recognized as a symbol of civil resistance in Ethiopia, a country gripped by successive anti-government protests which began in Nov. 2015, Via Addis Standard

1	Eliud KIPCHOGE	KEN	2:08:44
2	Feyisa LILESA	ETH	2:09:54
3	Galen RUPP	USA	2:10:05

Feyisa Lilesa (born 1 February 1990, Jeldu, Oromia) is a male long-distance runner from Oromia, Ethiopia. He became the youngest man to run under 2:06 hours when he set his personal best (2:05:23) in the men’s marathon at the 2010 Rotterdam Marathon. His personal best of 2:04:52 (set in 2012) ranks him in the top ten fastest marathoners ever.

Feyisa Lilesa during 2013 London Marathon
He won the Dublin Marathon in 2009 in his debut race and then won the Xiamen International Marathon in 2010. He was the bronze medallist at the 2011 World Championships Marathon.

Year	Competition	Venue	Position	Event	Notes
Representing  Ethiopia
2009	Dublin Marathon	Dublin, Ireland	1st	Marathon	2:09:12
2010	Xiamen International Marathon	Xiamen, China	1st	Marathon	2:08:47
	Rotterdam Marathon	Rotterdam, Netherlands	4th	Marathon	2:05:23
2011	World Championships	Daegu, South Korea	3rd	Marathon	2:10:32
2012	Chicago Marathon	Chicago, USA	2nd	Marathon	2:04:52
2016	Olympics	Rio de Janeiro, BRA	2nd	Marathon	2:09:54

REPORT: MEN’S MARATHON – RIO 2016 OLYMPIC GAMES

(IAAF) — Eliud Kipchoge confirmed his status as the most commanding marathon runner of the current generation when he produced a superb run over the final 15 kilometres to fulfil his status as many people’s favourite for the gold medal by winning in 2:08:44.

The statistics about Kipchoge in the context of this race can be just reeled off.

He had the biggest Olympic winning margin since Frank Shorter won in 1972; he has now won seven of his eight marathons since his debut at the 2013 Hamburg Marathon, all of them high class races; he added Olympic gold to his 5000m title at the 2003 world championships as an 18-year-old, a 13-year-gap between his global title, current bookends of a long and, generally, illustrious career that is far from over.

However, perhaps the most telling one about his Rio run that gives a quick demonstration of how he won the race is that he ran the second half of the race more than three minutes faster than the first, 1:05:55 and 1:02:49, a negative split no other runner else could match by a very long way.

“It was a championship and it was a bit slow so I decided to take over. Maybe it was the rain, maybe not. Everyone wants a medal. I was coming here for gold. This is history, the first time the women and the men win (from the same nation at the same Olympics) and it is the best moment of my life,” said a thrilled Kipchoge.

The opening half of the race was conducted with the rain falling; most of the Kenyan and Ethiopian runners unusually, for them wearing hats to keep the precipitation out of their eyes.

The opening 5km after the gun went in Sambodromo was in a relaxed 15:31.

The 10km checkpoint was passed in 31:08 with IAAF World Championships Beijing 2015 gold medallist Ghirmay Ghebreslassie from Eritrea at the front of a big leading group. There were still over 60 runners – and all the expected main contenders –within 10 seconds of the lead at this point.

Pre-race favourite and 2016 London Marathon winner Eliud Kipchoge started to show at the front regularly during the next five kilometres and 15km was passed in 46:53.

EASY FIRST HALF

Very little of substance happened during the next five kilometres as the pace remained steady and on for a finish around 2:11:00 – with the expectation that there was going to be a negative split at this pace – with 20km passed in 1:02:77 and 48 men still within the spread 10 seconds from the lead.

The halfway point was reached in 1:05:55 and 25km in 1:18:12 with 37 men still within 10 seconds of the lead at this point.

Shortly afterwards, one of the expected medal contenders, Ethiopia’s 2016 Dubai Marathon winner Tesfaye Abera stepped to the side of the road and retired.

At around 27 kilometres, the Kenyan trio of Kipchoge, Wesley Korir and Stanley Biwott – who had been working together and clearly communicating during the race up to this point – started to surge and the leading pack quickly slimmed down to nine over the next two kilometres with 30km passed in 1:33:15.

Kipchoge made his decisive move and started to crank up the pace. By 32km, the leading group was down to four: Kipchoge, Ethiopian pair Feyisa Lelisa and Lemi Berhanu as well as USA’s Galen Rupp, who had only run one marathon before today at the US Olympic Trials in February and who finished in the Rio 2016 10,000m.

Berhanu started to fall back just before 34km but the other three, with Kipchoge dictated the tempo, stayed together through 35km in 1:47:40.

Rup was the next to fall back shortly after this checkpoint. A little further down the road, a small but significant incident occurred.

Just before 36km, Kipchoge motioned Lelisa to take up some of the running but must have seen that although the Ethiopian was on his shoulder, he was having to work very hard to stay with him.

It’s impossible to say for sure what went through Kipchoge’s mind, but within 100 metres or so he surged again, clearing recognising that this was the moment when he could make his bid for glory.

KIPCHOGE MAKES DECISIVE MOVE

A gap soon appeared between the leading pair and with Kipchoge’s track record, the gold seemed to be as good as his as Lelisa and Rupp were faced with the challenge of hanging on to take their place alongside him on the podium.

Kipchoge passed 40km in 2:02:24 with Lelisa 36 seconds back and Rupp another 12 seconds in arrears

The gap continued to grow in the final two kilometres.

Somewhat unnecessarily, with the line in sight, Kipchoge started to look around in the last 400 metres of the race but he would not have seen Lelisa or anyone else as they had still not gone around the final bend.

His uncertainty assuaged, in the final 200 metres he put on a spurt for the line before easing up and giving the thumbs up to the crowds in the stands in the Sambodromo, getting the greatest athletics triumph of his life in the slowest marathon time of his career.

Lelisa trudged tiredly home 1:10 behind Kipchoge, crossing the line in 2:09:54, but still had enough in the tank to hold off Rupp by 11 seconds.

Rupp was unable to close the gap but got his bronze medal in a personal best of 2:10:05 while Beijing 2015 champion Ghirmay Ghebreslasssie finished fourth in 2:11:04.

Among the record 140 finishers, London 2012 Olympic Games gold medallist and 2013 world champion Stephen Kiprotich was 14th.

Phil Minshull for the IAAF

By Kevin Kaduk

(Getty Images)

(Yahoo Sports) — With the eyes of the world upon him, Ethiopian marathoner Feyisa Lilesa used the stage of Sunday’s Olympic marathon to daringly protest his own government back home.

As he neared the finish line and a silver medal, Lilesa raised his arms to form an ‘X’. The gesture is a peaceful protest made by the Oromo people, the largest ethnic group in Ethiopia and one that is facing a brutal response to widespread protests that began late last year.

Human Rights Watch estimated in June that 400 people have been killed and thousands more injured as the government attempted to stop the estimated 500 protests that the Oromo people staged to draw attention to systemic persecution by the govermnent.

Lilesa is from Oromia, which is home to a large majority of the country’s 35 million Oromo. He didn’t back down from the protest after the race either, flashing the sign for cameras as a press conference and pledging to do it again during Sunday night’s closing ceremony.

Rule 50 of the Olympic charter bans political displays or protests and the American duo of Tommie Smith and John Carlos was famously stripped of its medals after the pair flashed the black power salute on the medal stand at the 1968 Summer Games.

Lilesa, however, has bigger things to worry about than just losing a medal as such dissent puts his life in real danger if he returns to Ethiopia.

Silver medalist Feyisa Lilesa shows solidarity with protesters in Ethiopia

Ethiopia’s Feyisa Lilesa crossed his arms above his head at the finish line (Olivier Morin / AFP/Getty Images)

(Los Angeles Times) — Feyisa Lilesa of Ethiopia was nearing the finish line at the men’s marathon on Sunday morning when he crossed his wrists above his head.

The silver medalist did it again. And once more at the end of an extraordinary news conference — standing alone and posing for photographers — in which he explained his show of solidarity with protesters in his homeland, Ethiopia.

He explained that the gesture was in protest of the killing of the Omoro people, saying he stands with the resistance movement, adding that the government was “killing our people.”

Lilesa was asked about the consequences of his protest. He said maybe “they kill me…if not they kill me, they put me in prison.”

Later, it was mentioned that the International Olympic Committee frowned upon political protests/gestures at the Games.

Said Lilesa: “They can’t do anything. It’s my feeling.”

Photo: Kirby Lee – USA TODAY Sports

(Flotrack) –When Feyisa Lilesa crossed the line in second place in the Olympic men’s marathon, he put his arms up in an X. Ethiopians on Twitter immediately recognized that the gesture was in solidarity with the Oromo protests. Lilesa was asked about it at the press conference, and said that his gesture may cost him when he returns to Ethiopia:

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Cathal Dennehy @Cathal_Dennehy

Incredible stuff from silver medallist Lilesa, who says he may be killed or put in prison on his return to Ethiopia due to tribal conflict.

View image on Twitter

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Chris Chavez

✔@ChrisChavezSI

Lilesa outside of the press conference: If I go back to #ETH, they will kill me.
He has a wife and 2 kids at home.

The Oromo protests began when the Ethiopian government tried to clear a forest and soccer field in Oromia last year. According to Human Rights Watch:

“State security forces in Ethiopia have used excessive and lethal force against largely peaceful protests that have swept through Oromia, the country’s largest region, since November 2015. Over 400 people are estimated to have been killed, thousands injured, tens of thousands arrested, and hundreds, likely more, have been victims of enforced disappearances.”

Ethiopian political unease bubbling over into track meets is nothing new. Four Ethiopian runners defected during the 2014 IAAF World Junior Championships in Eugene, Oregon, and are now seeking asylum in the United States. Those athletes, like Lilesa, were opposed to the Ethiopian government’s treatment of Oromo people. You can watch a full LetsRun interview with Lilesa after the Olympic marathon here. In the interview, Lilesa says he may try to get a visa and move to America, and that he would be killed or jailed if he returns to Ethiopia.

By Kevin Sieff

Ethiopia’s Feyisa Lilesa crosses his arms above his head at the finish line of the Men’s Marathon athletics event of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. (Olivier Morin/AFP/Getty Images)

NAIROBI (The Washington Post)  — When he crossed the Olympics marathon finish line, Feyisa Lilesa put his hands above his head in an “X.” Most of those who watched Lilesa’s spectacular silver medal performance didn’t know what that meant — or just how dangerous a protest they were watching.

Lilesa was protesting the Ethiopian government’s killing of hundreds of the country’s Oromo people — an ethnic majority that has long complained about being marginalized by the country’s government. The group has held protests this year over plans to reallocate Oromo land. Many of those protests ended in bloodshed. According to Human Rights Watch, more than 400 people have been killed since November.

For months, the Oromo have been using the same “X” gesture that Lilesa, 26, used at the finish line.

At a news conference following the race, he reiterated his defiant message.

“Oromo is my tribe. … Oromo people now protest what is right, for peace, for a place,” Lilesa said, according to Reuters.

It was a remarkable turn of events — within seconds, Lilesa had gone from a national hero to a man who might not be able to return to his home country. In addition to those killed, many Oromo protesters are currently languishing in prison.

In Ethiopia, the state broadcaster did not air a replay of the finish.

Lilesa was conscious of the danger. He immediately suggested that he might have to move somewhere else.

“If you talk about democracy, they kill you. If I go back to Ethiopia maybe they will kill me, or put me in prison,” he said, according to Agence France-Presse.

“Maybe I move to another country.”

It wasn’t the first time an Ethiopian athlete had considered defecting after competition. In 2014, four of the country’s runners applied for asylum in the United States after disappearing from the international junior track championships in Eugene, Ore.

The plight of the Oromo and the Ethiopian government’s use of force against civilians have received some attention recently, but nothing as prominent as Lilesa’s defiance. Earlier this month, the U.S. Embassy in Addis Ababa said that it was “deeply concerned” about the most recent killing of protesters. But likely because Ethiopia remains a U.S. ally in the fight against Somali Islamist group Al-Shabab, American officials have been reluctant to offer any further condemnation.

Oromo dissidents, particularly those outside Ethiopia, have been active on social media about their cause. As soon as Lilesa crossed the finish line, tweets and Facebook posts went up with pictures of their new folk hero. Ethiopia is one of Africa’s fastest growing nations, and it seen by many as a model of economic potential. The government has played down the protests, saying earlier this month that “the attempted demonstrations were orchestrated by foreign enemies from near and far in partnership with local forces.”

Lilesa has been racing internationally for Ethiopia for more than eight years, and holds one of the world’s fastest ever marathon times: 2:04:52.

An Olympic marathon runner from Ethiopia staged a daring protest against his home government when he crossed the line in Rio on Sunday.

Ethiopia’s Feyisa Lilesa crosses his arms above his head at the finish line of the Men’s Marathon athletics event of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. (Olivier Morin/AFP/Getty Images)

(BBC News) — As he took the silver medal, Feyisa Lilesa crossed his arms above – a gesture made by the Oromo people who have suffered brutal police crackdowns.

Lilesa is from Oromia, home to most of Ethiopia’s 35 million Oromo people.

He repeated the protest gesture later at a press conference, saying his life would be in danger if he returned home.

Human rights groups say that Ethiopian security forces have killed hundreds of people in recent weeks as they crack down on anti-government protests.

Explaining his actions, Lilesa said: “The Ethiopian government are killing the Oromo people and taking their land and resources so the Oromo people are protesting and I support the protest as I am Oromo.

“The Ethiopian government is killing my people so I stand with all protests anywhere as Oromo is my tribe. My relatives are in prison and if they talk about democratic rights they are killed. I raised my hands to support with the Oromo protest.”

The marathon runner said that he might be killed if he returned.

“If not kill me, they will put me in prison,” he said. “I have not decided yet, but maybe I will move to another country.”

Feyisa Lilesa celebrates crossing the line in second place in Rio

Asked if he was worried about being sanctioned by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), he said: “I cannot do anything about that. This was my feeling. I have a big problem in my country, it is very dangerous to make protest in my country.”

Rule 50 of the Olympic charter bans political displays or protests and the American duo of Tommie Smith and John Carlos were famously stripped of their medals after the pair flashed the black power salute on the medal stand at the 1968 Summer Games.

There has been a wave of protests in Ethiopia in recent months over a series of frustrations, including attempts by the governments to reallocate land in the Oromo and Amhara regions.

More on Ethiopia’s unrest

• What is behind Ethiopia’s wave of protests?

• The Oromo protests and Ethiopian unity

Protesters in the Amhara region – from the Welkait community – first took to the streets of the city of Gondar in July over the reallocation plans.

The Oromos, who make up around a third of the population, have joined the protests over long-held frustrations that they are excluded from the country’s political process and the economic development.

New York-based Human Rights Watch says that more than 400 people were killed in clashes with the security forces in Oromia, although the government disputes this figure.

There is no doubt that the brutal TPLF regime in Addis Ababa is sharpening its knife to slaughter Fayyisa Lilleesa, who won silver medal in Rio Olympics marathon this morning, because of his protest against the torturer, killer it. He is in danger. Every Oromo in Diaspora has to work to save the life of this young brave Oromo.

By Kallacha W. Kune

(Ayyaantuu, repost from 2012) — In loving memory of our martyred heroine, Ayyaantuu the freedom fighting Oromo girl Ayyaantuu.net is an eponymous name picked to commemorate her precious life.

The Sleeping Giant is Awake!
Do You Know What is Missing?

This is to sincerely and honestly beg the children of Oromo to focus on the big picture. We have many capable and influential Oromos and stop undermining and disrespecting one another. I don’t blame some Oromos because they have succumbed to slavery and they always think that the Abyssinians are superior to them. The most powerful force is overcoming inferiority. Don’t you recognize that God created you as a complete human being? Strengthen Oromummaa. Listen to one another. Create organizational structures in all Oromo communities around the world according to the following general management principles and guidelines:

~ Know How:
Always assign a person to a specific job based on his knowledge not on the basis of favoritism, acquaintance, region or religion.

~Thinking Challenge:
The higher your knowledge on a given subject, the higher your thinking challenge.

~ Problem Solving:
The higher your knowledge on a given subject, the higher your thinking challenge and the higher your thinking challenge, the higher your problem solving capabilities.

~Communication Skills:
Some people have knowledge but they lack communication skills.The chance of such people to rise to higher posts is very slim. Usually, they end up as experts.To solve our intricate social problems, however, we need capable people who have knowledge, problem solving capabilities, and communication skills. For instance, we need a lawyer who has the knowledge, the problem solving capability, who can effectively think and interprete both national and international laws, who can also effectively communicate to other lawyers in our law-making, law-interpretations, law-translations and law enforcement institutions. We need a highly qualified lawyer who has all of these attributes so that she/he effectively interpretes and communicates to the non-lawyer general public and also to both business and public administrators in free Oromia.

We need to learn from the failures of the revolutionary changes of 1974 and 1991/92 and beware of the talking heads! Never forget these qualities: those who have conviction, commitment and determination didn’t easly give up.They didn’t lose hope even under very harsh political and economic environments.

Always emember that you think with what you know! Therefore, structure all our mushrooming civic society institutions and community organizations with skilled professionals. Carefully note that the above four basic management principles and guidelines are highly interrelated. Therefore, start applying them in all of our communities and civil society institutions soon!

Fill all Oromo Media Outlets by qualified and experienced journalists and create organizational structures to effectively manage and administer them.

Fill all Human Rights Organizations by experienced and qualified lawyers and activists

Strengthen all Oromo communities around the world and fill its administration with qualified man power. The network of these diaspora administration’s and the bulk of our intellectuals in Oromia will ultimately take over power from the illiterate, ineffective, unqualified, incompetent lackeys and Cadres planted by the Tigrean People’s Liberation Front in Oromia. Therefore, identifying qualified personnel who have demonstrated the commitment, conviction and determination to liberate Oromia from the occupation army of the TPLF must be the number one priority.

The above four basic management principles were obtained from the knowledge I have acquired from a South African Management Training Firm – The Hay Management. As a management employee of Ethiopian Airlines, I was one of the management personnel who have applied these basic management principles to revise salary scales for more than 3,500 employees of the company. People were leaving the airline at a very alarming rate not because of salary but due to the takeover of the company by non professional political appointees of the Tigrean People’s Liberation Front.

Revolutionary Democracy, One Dominant Party Ideology, or a Peasant Centered Ideology as they call it is a high-rise built on sand and it will crumble soon. We have known many empires that have risen and fell – the Roman Empire, the Ottoman Empire, the British Empire, the Soviet Empire, the Sudan Empire and so on. Meles Zenaw’s Empire, Revolutionary Democratic Ethiopia, is no more sustainable and it is crumbling in front of our eyes.

We remember our heroines and heroes. One of them, Sisay Ibsa, used to say “Keep on Pushing!” Just keep on pushing!!!!.

Kallacha W. Kune

Galen Rupp – USA (2:10:05), Eliud Kipchoge – Kenya (2:08:44) and Feyisa Lilesa – Oromia (2:09:54)

RIO DE JANEIRO (Letsrun)— Plenty of storylines emerged from the 2016 Olympic marathon. Eliud Kipchoge stamped himself as the greatest marathoner of all time by winning the race in 2:08:44. Galen Rupp earned the bronze medal to cap a stellar meet for the United States distance squad. But those are sporting achievements. What Ethiopia’s Feyisa Lilesa did today goes far beyond running.

As Lilesa crossed the finish line in 2:09:54 to earn the silver medal, he threw his hands above his head to form an “X”. Afterward, at the post-race press conference on a dais 50 yards from the marathon finish line, he spoke slow, powerful, chilling words, explaining the gesture was meant to demonstrate his solidarity with his Oromo people in Ethiopia. Amnesty International reports that at least 97 Oromo were killed inpeaceful anti-government protests earlier this month. This is the latest in a string of protests that Human Rights Watch estimates have resulted in over 400 deaths in all. In addition to the killings, many more have been arrested and detained by the government.

By speaking out Lilesa said he cannot return to Ethiopia because his life or freedom would be in jeopardy. “If I go back to Ethiopia, maybe they kill me,” Lilesa said. “If not kill me, they put [me] in prison. If not put me in prison, they block me at airport. After that I don’t move anywhere.”

Currently, Ethiopia is ruled by the Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front, which is mostly controlled by members of the minority Tigrayan ethnic group. The more recent protests have called for political reform and an end to the marginalization of Oromo and Amhara people. In December, 40 people were killed after members of the Oromo ethnic group — which is much larger than the Tigrayan ethnic group — protested against attempted government land seizures, according to Amnesty.

Nonetheless he felt he had to speak out. “[The] Ethiopian government [is] killing my people. So wherever I stand, [I stand] with Oromo protest anywhere because Oromo is my tribe. At this time, any people, all my relatives in prison, in prison. Daily I worry, I worry…If you talk, you write [about the protest], they kill you. So I stand with Oromo protest anywhere,” Lilesa said.

We spoke to Lilesa on video after the press conference (the video is below; video was not allowed in the press conference) and he talked about his wife and two children back home in Ethiopia. When asked if he was worried about their safety he said he would try to call them this evening, but “maybe they are arrested at this time.” He said that it can be dangerous to even answer the door in Ethiopia as his family doesn’t know if it will be a soldier or not. Lilesa said that for those Oromo not dead or locked up, their “freedom” is hollow.

“When you get freedom, you support only the government,” Lilesa said. “In America, Europe, Germany, England, demonstrations [are ok].”

Lilesa said he is unsure of where to go from here. Lilesa said he would consider relocating to Kenya or perhaps the United States.

Olympic marathon champion Eliud Kipchoge offered his sympathy for Lilesa.

“So so sorry for Lilesa,” Kipchoge said. “Sad news, shocking these soldiers… can still kill everybody.”

We asked Lilesa if anyone with the Ethiopian team knew he was going to speak out. He said, “You cannot talk (about this).” That may be the case in Ethiopia, but Lilesa chose the biggest sporting stage of all to speak out today. He is slated to receive his Olympic marathon medal tonight at the closing ceremony and will have an even bigger platform to make a statement.

MB: Marathon silver medalist will go to jail. He flashed a protest sign. Update: Says he may be killed when he returns to Ethiopia

By Tom Malinowski

(All Africa) — The Obama administration’s top official promoting democracy and human rights,Tom Malinowski, says the Ethiopian government’s tactics in response to protests in the Oromia and Amhara regions of the country are “self-defeating”.  Writing ahead of the arrival of U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry in Nairobi for talks on East African issues, including security, Malinowski says Addis Ababa’s “next great national task is to master the challenge of political openness.”

The United States and Ethiopia have years of strong partnership, based on a recognition that we need each other. Ethiopia is a major contributor to peace and security in Africa, the U.S.’s ally in the fight against violent extremists, and has shown incredible generosity to those escaping violence and repression, admitting more refugees than any country in the world. The United States has meanwhile been the main contributor to Ethiopia’s impressive fight to end poverty, to protect its environment and to develop its economy.

Because of the friendship and common interests our two nations share, the U.S. has a stake in Ethiopia’s prosperity, stability and success. When Ethiopia does well, it is able to inspire and help others. On the other hand, a protracted crisis in Ethiopia would undermine the goals that both nations are trying to achieve together.

The recent protests in the Oromia and Amhara regions present a critical challenge. They appear to be a manifestation of Ethiopian citizens’ expectation of more responsive governance and political pluralism, as laid out in their constitution.

Almost every Ethiopian I have met during my three recent trips to the country, including government officials, has told me that as Ethiopians become more prosperous and educated, they demand a greater political voice, and that such demands must be met. While a few of the protests may have been used as a vehicle for violence, we are convinced that the vast majority of participants were exercising their right under Ethiopia’s constitution to express their views.

Any counsel that the United States might offer is intended to help find solutions, and is given with humility. As President Barack Obama said during his July, 2015 visit to Addis Ababa, the U.S. is not perfect, and we have learned hard lessons from our own experiences in addressing popular grievances.

We also know Ethiopia faces real external threats. Ethiopia has bravely confronted Al-Shabaab, a ruthless terrorist group based on its border. Individuals and groups outside Ethiopia, often backed by countries that have no respect for human rights themselves, sometimes recklessly call for violent change.

Ethiopia rightly condemns such rhetoric, and the United States joins that condemnation. But Ethiopia has made far too much progress to be undone by the jabs of scattered antagonists who have little support among the Ethiopian people. And it is from within that Ethiopia faces the greatest challenges to its stability and unity. When thousands of people, in dozens of locations, in multiple regions come out on the streets to ask for a bigger say in the decisions that affect their lives, this cannot be dismissed as the handiwork of external enemies.

Ethiopian officials have acknowledged that protestors have genuine grievances that deserve sincere answers. They are working to address issues such as corruption and a lack of job opportunities. Yet security forces have continued to use excessive force to prevent Ethiopians from congregating peacefully, killing and injuring many people and arresting thousands. We believe thousands of Ethiopians remain in detention for alleged involvement in the protests – in most cases without having been brought before a court, provided access to legal counsel, or formally charged with a crime.

These are self-defeating tactics. Arresting opposition leaders and restricting civil society will not stop people from protesting, but it can create leaderless movements that leave no one with whom the government can mediate a peaceful way forward. Shutting down the Internet will not silence opposition, but it will scare away foreign investors and tourists. Using force may temporarily deter some protesters, but it will exacerbate their anger and make them more uncompromising when they inevitably return to the streets.

Every government has a duty to protect its citizens; but every legitimate and successful government also listens to its citizens, admits mistakes, and offers redress to those it has unjustly harmed. Responding openly and peacefully to criticism shows confidence and wisdom, not weakness. Ethiopia would also be stronger if it had more independent voices in government, parliament and society, and if civil society organizations could legally channel popular grievances and propose policy solutions. Those who are critical of the government would then have to share responsibility, and accountability, for finding those solutions. Progress in reforming the system would moderate demands to reject it altogether.

Ethiopia’s next great national task is to master the challenge of political openness, just as it has been mastering the challenge of economic development. Given how far Ethiopia has traveled since the days of terror and famine, the United States is confident that its people can meet this challenge – not to satisfy any foreign country, but to fulfill their own aspirations. The U.S. and all of Ethiopia’s friends are ready to help.

Tomasz P. Malinowski is a U.S. diplomat and the current Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor. Wikipedia
Born: 1965, Poland
Education: University of California, Berkeley
Party: Democratic Party

We must also thank the OMN for finding Fayyisaa! We assume millions of Oromo get relieved by this message!!

Kenyan gold medalist Eliud Kipchoge, center, celebrates on the podium flanked by Ethiopia’s Feyisa Lilesa, left, who won silver, and Galen Rupp, who took bronze in the men’s marathon. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Press Statement by Sidama National Liberation Front (SNLF)

August 21, 2016

The oppressed nations of Ethiopia have never accepted the TPLF minority rule since it purged national liberation movements and country wide opposition political parties from the Transitional Government in 1992. In spite of adopting the most liberal constitution that on paper guarantees the rights of nations and nationalities to self- determination including secession and human and democratic rights of individuals, the regime continues to grossly abuse these rights every single day.

Any nation that demands the basic rights enshrined in the very constitution promulgated by the regime itself is brutalized, its people massacred by the special killing squad known as the ‘Agazi’ forces, and imprisoned and tortured with impunity. Over 70 peaceful Sidama civilians were massacred in Loqqe suburb of Hawassa on 24 May 2002 by the Agazi forces for peacefully demanding that the Sidama capital should not be moved out of Hawassa. To this date, the TPLF regime continued to displace Sidama farmers from lands surrounding Hawassa as part of its grand plan to take over Hawassa, and make it a federally administered city, leaving the farmers destitute. As we speak the regime is working to displace more Sidama farmers from their capital city and surrounding villages stretching to Malga Wondo also known as ‘Wondogenet’ under the same scheme of federalizing Hawassa. The Sidama nation vehemently rejects such measures and demands the regime to respect the constitutional rights of the Sidama nation to regional self-determination.

In similar manner, over 500 Anuaks were massacred in Gambella by Agazi forces in December 2003 for demanding their basic rights. Hundreds of Ogadeni Somalis were massacred since 2007 in the name of quelling insurgency by the Ogandeni National Liberation Front which is fighting for self-determination of the Ogaden Somali.

The TPLF minority regime responded to the ongoing peaceful protests of the Oromo nation which has begun in November 2015, with unprecedented barbarity. Since November 2015, over 700 unarmed Oromo civilians have been confirmed brutally massacred by the ‘Agazi’ killing squad while over 75,000 civilians and political leaders are imprisoned and tortured across the vast Oromia region and the rest of the country. Nevertheless, the gallant Oromo nation has forged ahead with its demand for self-determination despite the ongoing barbaric massacre of its civilians.

Due to the brutality of the TPLF rule, the oppressed nations of Ethiopia have become increasingly united to confront the barbaric and merciless minority regime of the TPLF. Five oppressed nations of the south, Oromo, Somali, Sidama, Benshangul-Gumzu and Gamballa have established an alliance for freedom known as Peoples’ Alliance for Freedom and Democracy (PAFD), whose goal is to liberate their peoples which account for 67 percent of the total population of Ethiopia from the TPLF minority dictatorship. Recently the Amhara nation has also joined the resistance for freedom, and their resistance and the brutal responses of TPLF’s barbaric regime in Amhara region is ongoing.

Cognizant of the imminent threat to its political survival, the TPLF regime has once again been actively involved in divide and rule propaganda to undermine the unity of the oppressed nations.  In particular, it is working tirelessly to sow seeds of conflict among the majority Cushitic nations of Oromo, Somali and Sidama so as to divide and rule them. It actively arms the Special Forces in Ogaden region to attack the Oromo peoples to instigate conflict between the two sisterly Cushitic nations. It also attempting to instigate conflicts among the Oromo, Amhara, Afar, Gambella and other oppressed nations.

In Sidama, the regime has employed bogus religious leaders and some reckless community members to preach baseless propaganda that, ‘if the current TPLF government is forced out of office, the Oromo rule will be worst for the Sidama nation, and that the Sidama people will be evicted from Oromia and so on. The Sidama nation rejects this baseless propaganda with the contempt it deserves.  The Sidama nation fully understands the deep seated fraternity of both Oromo and Sidama nations. It never gives into such lies and deceits of the regime and its Sidama quislings. Nonetheless, we fully understand the repercussions such deceitful and baseless political propaganda and will remain vigilant to educate our society to understand and uphold the historic bondage between the Oromo and the Sidama societies.

SNLF strongly denounces such divisive lies and deceits of the regime and its Sidama messengers and demands to stop it unconditionally. We remind the Sidama nation to be vigilant of the malicious act of TPLF’s regime and its vile allegations.

Moreover, the SNLF strongly advices those Sidama persons, who have previously been engaged in advocating for the rights of the Sidama nation yet currently involved in sabotaging the struggle of the nation to unconditionally stop their alliance with the regime that is dehumanizing our nation and the other nations and peoples of Ethiopia. The Sidama nation will not tolerate such quislings and warn the enemy within to refrain from their heinous acts.  This will be the Sidama nation’s last and unequivocal warning for those in Sidama and abroad who support the dehumanization of own nation to unconditionally refrain from their reckless, irresponsible and immoral actions.

Finally, we call upon the Sidama nation to further cement its unity with its neighboring Cushtic cousins, the Oromo, and all the rest of Ethiopian peoples to push with our struggle for freedom, justice, the rule of law and genuine self-determination. We also call upon all peoples of Ethiopia to be united to fight the regime collectively brutalizing us all. Equally, we call upon the regime in power to unconditionally refrain from resorting to answering all issues with live bullet and further urge it to unconditionally relinquish power to all peoples of Ethiopia for possible and urgent transitional arrangements. We also urge the international community, in particular Western countries to stop their support and alliance with the regime that massacres and terrorizes its own citizens for demanding their basic human and democratic rights, the core values of western democracy. The indiscriminate massacre of unarmed civilians and divide-and-rule games of TPLF/EPRDF’s ruthless regime never resolve deep seated crisis of the country but will only worsen it.

May the souls of all martyrs of the Oromo, Ogadenia, Gambella, Sidama, Amhara, Konso and the rest remain in peace whilst the peoples of Ethiopia stride towards asserting the causes for which you have paid ultimate sacrifices with your precious lives.

The Sidama National Liberation Front (SNLF)

August 21, 2016

Addunyaan Itophiyaa akka lamatti beeka. Mootummootni Itophiyaa empaayera humnaan ijaaramte humnaan tikfatuu fi dantaa isaanii guuttatuuf jecha hacuuccaa fi saaminsa gaggeessaniin biyyoota addunyaa jiran keessaa biyya hiyyeettii maayii taasisuu fi biyya ummatootni kumoota dhibbaan sababa beelaan keessatti dhuman tahuun beekan. Dhugaan kun sirna ykn mootummaa tokko jalatti qofa osoo hin taane mootummoota hunda keessatti mul’atuun Itophiyaan maqaa salphinaa kana jalaa akka hin baane taasise.

Itophiyaan kan ittiin beekamte kan biraa waltajjii ispoortii ti. Waltajjii nagaa kana irratti maqaa Itophiyaa kan waamsisan irra hedduun ilmaan Oromoo ti.

Ilmaan Oromoo waltajjii ispoortii irratti maqaa Itophiyaa bareechan:

1974 dura, Abbabaa Biqilaa, Maammoo Waldee, Waamii Birraatuu……
1991 dura, Muhammad Kadir, Tolasaa Qottuu, Abbabaa Makonnin, Fiixaa Baay’isaa, Warquu Biqilaa…..
1991 irraa eegalee, Daraartuu Tulluu, Faaxumaa Roobaa, Xirunesh Dibaabaa, Ganzabee Dibaabaa, Ijjigaayyoo Dibaabaa, Qananiisaa Baqqalaa, Silashii Sihiin, Taarikuu Baqqalaa, Almaaz Ayyaanaa, Masarat Daffaar, Fayyisaa Leellisaa, Amaan Kadir……….

Atleetotni kanneen dorgommii adeemsifamuun injifannoo argataniin maqaa Itophiyaa sababa
beelaan xuraawe akka atletiksiin beekamtu taasisuun salphinaa fi qaanii irra caalaa irraa
dandamachiisuu keessatti qooda guddaa kennan. Maqaan Itophiyaa waltajjii ispoortii irratti
akka miidhagee mul’atu taasisuun gumaacha kennan illee Itophiyaan maqaa isii cululuqee akka
mul’atu taasisan garuu gayyaa itti tahuu irraa kabajaa isaaniif malu hin laanneef. Abbabaan
shira irratti hojjatameen miidhaa ol aanaan qaamaa hiruu tahee osoo hiraaruu boqote. Maatiin
isaa illee mootummaa biyyaa irra gargaarsa mootummaa alagaan jiraatuu seenaan isaanii ni
dubbata. Maammoo Woldee Kuma kudhanii fi maaraatooniin waltajjii Olompikii irratti faaruun
Itophiyaa akka faarfamu taasise waggoota dheeraaf Wayyaaneen hidhamee hidhaa keessatti
dararamaa akka ture hin dagatamu.

Maqaa Itophiyaa addunyaa biratti lammiilee biyyattii mataa gadi qabachiisan, Itophiyummaan
qaanfachiisaa tahuu irraa dhokfatuun filatamu hanga tokko kan qaanii jalaa baase atleetota
Oromoo ti jechuutu danda’ama. Atleetotni Oromoo kunneenis hacuuccaa fi cunqursaan osoo
irra jiruu tattaaffii matayyaan dandeettii horataniin kan ol bahan tahuun hubatamuu qaba.
Olompikii hirmaatan irratti seenaa tolchuun ilmaan Oromoof haaraa tahuu baatullee kan barana
Biraazil, Riyo-tti adeemsifame garuu seenaa addaa Oromoo fi Addunyaa irratti galmeessuun
xumurame. Maqaa Itophiyaa sababa dorgomaa dandeettii hin qabneen itti qoosamaa ture,
Fayyisaa Leellisaa injifannoo galmeessuun bareechuutti dabalee, loogummaan ispoortii keessa
illee jiraachuu irraa aangawootni biyyattii dandeettiin alatti nama fedhan kan hirmaachisan
tahuu saaxile.

Hundaan olitti ammoo ummata isaa ummata Oromoo irratti ajjeechaan sanyii duguuggii
raawwatamaa akka jiru, firoottan fi lammiileen Oromoo karaa nagaa mirga isaanii gaafatan
mootummaa abbaa irree Wayyaaneen ajjeefamaa fi hidhaatti guuramaa akka jiran addunyaa
hubachiisuun, mootummaa Itophiyaa balaaleffatee aantummaa ummataaf qabu ifatti agarsiise.

Akka kanaan Fayyisaa Leellisaa badhaasa Riyo-tti argateen olitti seenaa bara baraan yaadatamu
galmeesse. Jaalala kijibaa fi badhaasa mootummaa abbaa irree irraa argamu irra ummata isaa
caalsifatee qabsoo bilisummaa ummatni itti jiru kan deggeru tahuu mallattoo Fincila Diddaa
Gabrummaa harka qaxxaamursuun addunyaa beeksifate. Ummatni Oromoos tarkaanfii
gootummaa ilma Oromoo kana ashuu jedhee gammachuun simate. Bara baraan onnee isaa
keessa jiraata, goota yeroo rakkoo fi dhiphuu waan taheef.

Tarkaanfiin Fayyisaa Leellisaa Ilmaan Oromoo ofiif miidhamaa fi sobamaa maqaa mootummaa
kanaa bareechanii fi tiksaniif barnoota guddaa kenna. Beekkannoo yeroo qofaan dagamanii
ummata isaanii irraa fagaatuu irra ummata waliin hiriiruun maqaa bara baraan jiraatu kaa’anii
dabruu qabanii dhaamaaf. Addatti ammoo ilmaan Oromoo waraana Wayyaanee keessatti
hiriiranii jiran kan dhumaatii lammii isaanii callisanii ilaalan, kanneen caasaa tikaa fi bulchiinsa
keessatti ramadamanii lammii isaanii ajjeesisaa fi hiisisaa jiran tarkaanfii boonsaa atleet
Fayyisaa Leellisaa irraa baratuu qaban.

ABOn gootummaa Fayyisaa Leellisaa dinqisiifataa lammiileen Oromoo hiree itti qaban hundi
isa cinaa hiriiruun gargaarsa barbaachisu hundaan akka bira dhaabbatan waamicha isaa
dabarsaa, atleetotni hafanis faana isaa akka bu’an yaadachiisa.

Injifannoo Ummata Oromoof!
Adda Bilisummaa Oromoo
Hagayya 22, 2016

Ethiopian marathoner makes protest gesture at Rio finish line

By Ralph Ellis, CNN

Ethiopia’s Feyisa Lilesa crosses his arms above his head at the finish line of the Men’s Marathon athletics event of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. (Olivier Morin/AFP/Getty Images)

August 22, 2016, RIO (CNN) — Feyisa Lilesa of Ethiopia may have turned himself into a political exile because of the way he won a silver medal in the Olympics marathon on Sunday.He strode across the finish line with his arms crossed over his head in a sign of solidarity for the Oromo people, his native group and the largest ethnic group in Ethiopia. He repeated the sign at a press conference.

In an interview after the race, Lilesa said he wanted to draw attention to the government’s ongoing persecution of the Oromos.

By speaking out, he said, he put himself into such danger that he can’t go home.

READ: What is behind Ethiopia’s Oromo protests

“I really think that I would be killed,” he said — or imprisoned. Some of his family members are already in prison, he said, and he worries about the safety of his wife and two children.

Lilesa said he may stay in Brazil or go to Kenya or the United States, depending on whether he can obtain a visa for those moves.

It’s unclear if his gesture with the arms will affect his medal. In the past, the Olympics committee has stripped athletes of their medals for political protests, as when American sprinters Tommie Smith and John Carlos gave the black power salute on the medal stand at the 1968 games.

The Oromo make up at least a third of Ethiopia’s 100 million people. But they have been marginalized for decades, with tensions rising recently as the government promoted development that took over over Oromo farmland.

Huge protests by the Oromos have swept the streets of Ethiopia.

The government was brutal in putting down the demonstrations, nonprofit groups like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch reported.

“In nine months, more than 1,000 people have been killed,” Lilesa said on Sunday.

CNN could not immediately confirm this statement. Human Rights Watch said that since November, more than 400 people have been killed and tens of thousands arrested. Thousands more have been jailed.