Video of 400+ Oromo protesting genocide in Ethiopia from Portland Oregon

This kind of thing is a complete turn off for me. I don't support the heavy handed approach of the Ethio government, but I'd rather die than go out on a demonstration with this type of narrow minded zeregna bunch of clowns. There isn't a single Ethio flag among them and their slogans make it look as if Oromos are the only ones being oppressed in Ethiopia.

AM2 said:

There isn't a single Ethio flag among them and their slogans make it look as if Oromos are the only ones being oppressed in Ethiopia.

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This is what my issue is with Ethiopian politics. All movements are narrow-minded ethnic cocoons. Complete distortion of reality because in their delusion they think it legitimizes their case. But then again, it worked for Eritreans didn't it? We all know that the Derg only brutalized them and not the rest of the country hno:

The EPRDF is drinking its own medicine. 23 years ago their agenda was to weaken the center of the country by:

1. Redefining Ethiopia as an Amhara creation. I still vividly remember Ato. Meles saying, "Ye-Itopiya banderia le-Wolita hizb cherk new" (I might be paraphrasing here).
2. Generalizing feudal oppression as an exclusively Amhara exploitation of non-Amhara people.
3. Creating and funding the LF and PDO parties (Ex. OPDO)

I think the objective at the time was to cause mayhem in the center, create an economically viable Tigray + Eritrea, and then separate. Meanwhile, the rest of Ethiopia will disintegrate and will not be a threat.

However, things did not go as planned. EPRDF went to war with Eritrea, and the grand master plan fell apart. Fast forward 14 years later, and we have a government that is in some ways more aggressive in its nation building efforts than the "Amhara regimes" of the past. It is quite a miracle.

Kibret said:

The EPRDF is drinking its own medicine. 23 years ago their agenda was to weaken the center of the country by:

1. Redefining Ethiopia as an Amhara creation. I still vividly remember Ato. Meles saying, "Ye-Itopiya banderia le-Wolita hizb cherk new" (I might be paraphrasing here).
2. Generalizing feudal oppression as an exclusively Amhara exploitation of non-Amhara people.
3. Creating and funding the LF and PDO parties (Ex. OPDO)

I think the objective at the time was to cause mayhem in the center, create an economically viable Tigray + Eritrea, and then separate. Meanwhile, the rest of Ethiopia will disintegrate and will not be a threat.

However, things did not go as planned. EPRDF went to war with Eritrea, and the grand master plan fell apart. Fast forward 14 years later, and we have a government that is in some ways more aggressive in its nation building efforts than the "Amhara regimes" of the past. It is quite a miracle.

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Couldn't agree more.

Issayas attacking them was a shock to them.


Africanideals, from what I can see, things are not much different than they were years ago. There was a protest in Ambo a few weeks ago due to the future expansion plans of Addis. That's about it.

Kibret said:

Fast forward 14 years later, and we have a government that is in some ways more aggressive in its nation building efforts than the "Amhara regimes" of the past. It is quite a miracle.

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That's A BIG right turn... so why do think they are now more focused on nation building efforts rather than a 'nation destabilization'?

I think we should support the rights of Oromos inside Ethiopia BUT stay the hell away from the Diaspora separatists. Has anyone seen the political oromo in the diaspora with an Ethio flag? Never! Why because they are mostly cowardly separatists living far, far away. I support the self-determinsism of all people but "I dont want to be anywhere around them"! They are extremely toxic and anti- ethiopian. I dont know why the diaspora opposition even pays attention to them. Stay away from them!

Back to the topic on hand. Why is the rest of ethiopia and the non-Oromo peoples not supporting the Oromo and their right to preserve their land and territory. Why is the sanctity of Oromia not respected. How can the government cut out a piece of territory mainly reserved for ethnic Oromos. Whenever something happens like this- everyone should speak out against it. By saying nothing you only fuel the fire of the diaspora Oromo nationalists.

Kibret said:

The EPRDF is drinking its own medicine. 23 years ago their agenda was to weaken the center of the country by:

I think the objective at the time was to cause mayhem in the center, create an economically viable Tigray + Eritrea, and then separate. Meanwhile, the rest of Ethiopia will disintegrate and will not be a threat.

However, things did not go as planned. EPRDF went to war with Eritrea, and the grand master plan fell apart. Fast forward 14 years later, and we have a government that is in some ways more aggressive in its nation building efforts than the "Amhara regimes" of the past. It is quite a miracle.

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That is an interpretation I wasn't familiar with. How credible is this version? How do you guys feel about having such people leading the country?

African Lion said:

Back to the topic on hand. Why is the rest of ethiopia and the non-Oromo peoples not supporting the Oromo and their right to preserve their land and territory. Why is the sanctity of Oromia not respected. How can the government cut out a piece of territory mainly reserved for ethnic Oromos. Whenever something happens like this- everyone should speak out against it. By saying nothing you only fuel the fire of the diaspora Oromo nationalists.

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Maybe because this issue is perceived by others as an exclusively Oromo issue hence the lack of "empathy" from others.

Yoniii said:

The opposition did speak against it. I think the protests would've been massive if the OLF supporters didn't hijack the protests, other Ethiopians don't want to stand next to separatists.

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I really despise the Oromo seperatists. Ethiopians and the opposition beware- they are not anti EPRDF, Menelik or even Teddy afro. They are noxiously anti-Ethiopian. Stay away from them! I dont know why ESAT even pays any attention to them. Let them do their thing and Ethiopians can do theirs.

Ras Siyan said:

That is an interpretation I wasn't familiar with. How credible is this version? How do you guys feel about having such people leading the country?

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It's well known. I have posted about it myself years ago. The border war threw those plans off a cliff, thankfully.

Maybe because this issue is perceived by others as an exclusively Oromo issue hence the lack of "empathy" from others.

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It's a combination of things. One, people generally just want to be left alone and for peace to reign. Sick of fighting, basically. Two, for a lot of non-Oromo Ethiopians and even for Oromos who don't believe in the separatist cause, it's difficult to know how to approach the issue. People are unsure if demands for more rights for Oromo are intertwined with the separatist question or what. Even religion is thrown in, these days. So how can people support legitimate Oromo demands when they don't want to inadvertently support separatists or Islamists?
They (Oromo protesters and politicians) have blurred the line, so non-Oromos find a non-aligned policy safest.

For those of you who take OLF's threat of separatism seriously,, I can assure you that this is an absolute nonsense,,and it will never happen,,, Oromia is not only the geographic center of Ethiopia, it is also the political and economic center of Ethiopia,, the OLF elites know this fact very well,, Oromos wanting to separate from Ethiopia is like the north eastern states of the US along with New York City and Washington DC wanting to separate from the USA, or England wanting to separate from the UK,,,, in comparison to other regions,, Oromia is by far the most economically prosperous region in Ethiopia , and that prosperity is gained as a result of being the economic and political center of Ethiopia for a century and half,, so the real issue the elites of OLF have is political power and not secession ,, they know that by destabilizing Oromia they are destabilizing the center of Ethiopia and the state,,,,, their hope is they can seize power in the ensuing chaos and power vacuum that will be created ,, well about their supporters and their followers I don't need to say much,, most of them are just a bunch of hateful individuals who are extremity racist towards other ethnicity's ,, this are thuggish type of people who would love to commit a Rwanda type genocide against poor economic emigrants who came to Oromia region from other parts of the country,,, The elites of OLF are purposely inciting and nurturing this racist sentiment by their continuous propaganda and campaign of misinformation about the history and historical events that took place during the founding of our the nation,, to the question why ESAT and G-7 is standing with OLF ,,,,because it is clear G-7 likes to use 'Emeye Ethiopia, and Zeraf Agere' ,, to rally for support,,,, well they have the same hope for political chaos too so they can seize power and it is clear they are just following the old political logic of,,, 'the enemy of my enemy,,,' this guys are building their base in Eritrea at the same time they are accusing Shabia of stealing Ethiopian ports,,I guess hypocrisy is an integral part of today's politics,,,

cptjosh said:

That's A BIG right turn... so why do think they are now more focused on nation building efforts rather than a 'nation destabilization'?

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Hersh explained it in another thread (politics thread, I think). It's in their interest to do so now. Let me see if I can find his post.


Here it is: http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=113851373&postcount=1828

Hersh said:

^^As I've said before, the most effective means of gaining initial support is by appealing to an extreme niche, unified by common purpose. Once a group has fully established itself in the upper echelon of society, it is in the best interest of the newly privileged to maintain the status quo by appealing to the patriotic sentiments of the greater mass. It is an effective means of obfuscating undue socioeconomic privilege. The Amharas did it when they were in power and now the Tigrayans will be doing it. They'll be the greatest cheerleaders of Ethiopiawinet in the years to come. And dullards like FKebede will be there to cheer with them.

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What these gov. have done is giving us huge challenge "ethnik federation" ,although beautiful in theory neverless useless and alarming in practice esp when the center is a dictator-ish regime . what we see in ethiopia today is the rising awareness of ethnik selv wich feed ethnonationalism in the same time being oppressed and the "feeling" of being taken advantge of for the sake of one minority ethnik group. Its like tiking bomb. Dont be fooled by economic growth , yougoslavia was doing more then great economically wise even better then some western nations. untill it exploded. but the current gov is deaf , so what will you do ?? nothing as sunta sunte stated sit back and watch as your country dismantel it slev. Soon or later the central gov. will weaken like all tings will . by that time the ethink awarness in the country will hit its maximum together with etnonationalism and it will be to late to do eny good . so my advise is make sure ur relatives are out of ethio. by then cause Ethiopia is the next somalia but worse. I could sing the happy song like every one else , but its not what i see these couple of days. it might just be me.

Few quick questions....

You guys have an election year coming up...
Does the opposition have a chance of winning, or is the ruling regime gonna crush any anti-EPDRF voices?
Do you guys believe their is a chance for civil war if the opposition is oppressed?
last question do you guys believe Ethiopia is a model Democracy?