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After nearly 40 years, several leaders of the OLF National Council voted to amend the OLF program as follows.
OROMO LIBERATION FRONT POLITICAL PROGRAM
PREAMBLE
The political and military struggle of the Oromo people led by the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) has contributed to the survival of the Oromo people from century old subjugation, oppression and exploitation.
The Oromo people's struggle, glory and praise to those who scarified their lives, has reached a stage where it should protect the goals that have already been achieved and looking forward to achieve the goals and objectives this struggle had set out to achieve by working with other nations and nationalities in Ethiopia.
Nations, nationalities and people in Ethiopia like the Oromo people, are continuing their struggle against oppressors and human rights abusers. It’s high time the Oromo people and other nations and nationalities in Ethiopia to unite and work together in their struggle against a tyrannical regime that has been terrorizing them.
Creating a new social contract with other nations and nationalities in the struggle against a brutal and oppressive minority dictator's regime to bring about democracy, rule of law, and respect for human rights is undeniably beneficial for Oromo people’s interest and the interests of other nations, nationalities and peoples in Ethiopia. This new social contract will bring a lasting solution and an end to the iron grip of oppression and subjugation on peoples who have been suffering for centuries.
In order to lead the struggle to the new phase, we need a new vision and visionary leaders who don't only talk about Oromo struggle, but also understand the role the Oromo struggle and the Oromo people should play in liberating all peoples in Ethiopia from century long tyranny and pave the way for all peoples to exercise their inalienable rights.
Understanding the historical responsibilities falls on the shoulders of this generation of OLF leaders, after careful assessment of the struggle from all corners, we decide to formulate a new vision with clear goals not only for the Oromo people but also for other peoples in Ethiopia who
have been suffering because of lack of freedom, liberty, justice, equality & democracy for centuries in the hands of those who imposed themselves on them at gun point.
Therefore, to energize the Oromo people's struggle with new vision & unleash the power of the Oromo people to protect the rights they have already achieved, and determined to achieve the remaining rights, the Oromo Liberation Front's National Congress has decide to adopt a new political program that has a clear objective as to the role the Oromo people's struggle should play.
1. The goal of the political struggle of the Oromo people
1.1. To see New Federal Republic of Ethiopia where the Oromo people contiguously live with freedom, peace, prosperity, and the country where individual rights and group rights are respected and protected.
1.2. To see the Country where all nations and nationalities’ languages and customs are equally respected and protected, and where the Oromo language (Afan Oromo) and Amaraa (Amharic) languages Equally serve as official language of New Democratic Federal Republic of Ethiopia.
1.3. To facilitate the rights of self determination of the Oromo people, other peoples and individuals in Ethiopia.
1.4. To realize these goals, the Oromo Liberation Front will work with all peoples and political Forces that accept the democratic principles and rule of law.
1.5. The Oromo Liberation Front will respect and honor all decisions the Oromo people and other Peoples in Ethiopia make using their rights of self determination.
1.6. To form New Democratic Federal Republic of Ethiopia that will be established by the consent of its peoples based on principle of democracy, equality, freedom, liberty, justice and rule of law.
2. Responsibility of the Oromo Liberation Front
2.1. To lead all forms of struggle to dismantle the fascist rule of the TPLF regime to enable the peoples in Ethiopia to form a new union based on democracy and rule of law for all of its citizens.
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2.2. To coordinate the struggle with Oromo and non -Oromo political forces that accept the principle of equality, freedom, liberty, justice, rule of law and democracy to the extent of forming a common front together.
2.3. To be the organization that lead the Oromo struggle to a new phase with a clear vision.
2.4. To make sure that the will of the peoples are respected in all stages.
3. Country and Citizenship
3.1. Oromia
3.1.1. Oromia is a state in Ethiopia where the Oromo people have contiguously lived and still are living.
3.2. Citizenship of the Oromo people
3.2.1. In the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia established by the free consent of the nations and nationalities based on rule of law, democracy, liberty, justice, Oromo is an Ethiopian Citizen.
4. Supremacy of the People
4.1. In state of Oromia, the power belongs to the Oromian People. All people reside in Oromia are Considered Oromian.
4.2. The power of the people will be manifested through direct or representative democracy in all stage of the government from Federal government down to the state & governed by those they democratically elect.
4.3. The election in all stages will be done by those legibale to vote and is at least eighteen years of age.
4.4. In all stages, the election is by secret ballot.
4.5. The people have the power to recall, change those whom they elect to govern them. The procedures will be determined by the law.
4.6. The people have the right to decide important issues by referendum in all stages from Federal down to the state level.
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5. Human rights
5.1. Human rights and fundamental birth right of a human being is respected and inviolable except according to the law of the land.
5.2. Servitude, harassment, intimidation is prohibited. Everybody has the right to live peacefully and protected against illegal actions.
5.3. Discrimination based on race, gender, religions, national origin, and all forms of discrimination is prohibited by the law.
5.4. The right to own property, equality before the law, right of movement, right of residence, freedom of religion is protected by the law.
6. Democratic Rights
6.1. Democratic right of individuals, like the right to consciousness, press, right to association, right to own property and all other democratic rights are respected.
6.2. The right of self determination of the Oromo people and other nations and nationalities in Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia will be respected.
7. Government Structure
7.1. The Federal form of government that respects and protects the rights of the Oromo people, and other peoples in Ethiopia based on equality, democracy, peace, justice, and rule of law will be established by the free consent of the peoples.
7.2. Legislature
7.2.1. The peoples' congress will be established at Federal, State, Zone, District and kebele level.
7.2.2. The election of the Members of the congress will be conducted in secret ballot.
7.2.3. The term of the members of the congress is five years
7.3. The House of Federation
7.3.1. The members of the house of federation will be from each federal state based on their population.
7.3.2. Members of the house of federation will be directly elected by the people.
7.4. The Role of the House of Federation
7.4.1. Enacts federal laws.
7.4.2. Control whether the person is delegated from states of the federation.
7.4.3. Control the fair distribution of the federal budget to different states.
7.4.4. Solve any disputes between federal, states and state governments, and control the fair distribution of power between federal and states.
7.5. Executive
7.5.1. The party that wins election in all stages from Federal down to the local control /form the executive branch of the government.
7.5.2. The term limit for executive branch is five years.
7.5.3. President is the Head of the Country.
7.5.4. Anybody can run for president either by party or individually.
7.5.5. The President is elected directly by the peoples.
7.6. Judiciary
7.6.1. The power of judiciary rests in courts.
7.6.2. The Courts are independent and free from any form of influence.
7.6.3. The courts have the power to interpret and enforce the law in all stages of the governments.
7.6.4. The judges of the Supreme Court will be nominated by the president of the Country and confirmed by the house of representatives.
7.6.5. At states level the judges are nominated by the presidents of the states and confirmed by the house of the states' representatives.
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8. State of Oromia
8.1. The state structure in Oromo will be based on Gada Principles. Its implementation will be studied.
8.2. The Govement of oromia will deal with the matters of State of Oromia. The Government structure will be formed in state, Zone, District and kebele levels.
8.3. The goal of state government is to enable the people to decide in all aspects of their life including economy, development, and self rule in their areas without imposition or interference
8.4. The state government has the right to impose tax and prepare its budget for rapid development of state economy, social services, important infrastructure in the area.
9. Services
9.1. Public services will not be based on political affiliation, but should be based on profession, integrity and trust of the people in all stage of the governments.
10. Rule of law
10.1. The law is above all. The governments in all stages, from Federal down to state, government officials, local leaders, individuals and groups, all of them will be under the law. Nobody is above the law.
11. Equality of religions/freedom of religion/
11.1. The government is free of religion, does not endorse or reject any religion.
11.2. All religions are respected and protected by all stages of the governments.
11.3. No discrimination against any groups or individuals based on religion.
12. Enconomy, resource and public property
12.1. Economy
12.1.1 We will follow free market economy.
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12.1.2. The government will not be involved in the economy except in the areas that need government involvement for the welfare of the common good.
12.1.3. The government will encourage agricultural led industries that gradually grow into economy based on industrialization.
12.1.4. Government will strive to help the development based on Agriculture and industry hand in hand.
12.1.5. The government will support small scale industries that will further overall development
of the common good.
12.1.6. Private and public property will be delineated by the law.
12.1.7. Every body has the right to engage in trade; any profession based on his/her interest.
13. Natural Resource
13.1. Land
13.1.1. The land in oromia is the property of the state of oromia.
13.1.2. The use of land, either the government land or private land, will be determined by the law.
13.1.3. Except land seized by farmers, other land for the welfare of the common good is under control of the government.
13.1.4. Underground resources, resource on the land, forest, water are owned by the government. The government controls these resources for the common welfare.
13.1.5. When the government tries to develop underground or other resources, it should make sure that the people who live on these lands will be benefited from the attempt endeavor.
13.1.6. To enable the farmers to maintain and develop their land, the government will provide them necessary supports.
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13.1.7. Land taken from peoples under different pretext like investment and for government financial benefits will be restored for the benefit of the peoples.
13.1.8. Underground resource will be protected as such that it will benefit the current and coming generation.
13.1.9. The land policy to destroy natural recourse followed by the EPRDF regime will be corrected and the policy that restored the destroyed forest and other resources will be the focus of the government.
14. Public Service
14.1. The National Public Health Policy will focus on prevention & treatments.
14.2. Public health services, especially in rural areas will be expanded. The government will have a responsibility to open clinics with adequate trained personnel for the public good.
14.3. The government will focus on public risk diseases that have national impact by inspecting, controlling, and preventing.
14.4. Workers, women, youth, elders, disabled persons will get the support of the government. Children under five years of age should get free medical care. New program concerning these issues will be formulated.
14.5. Family being the base of society will be given due respect and consideration by the government.
15. Education
15.1. Education will be encouraged & supported in all stages by the government.
15.2. Publication, arts, music, sports should be encouraged and supported by the government.
15.3. Writing and reading is mandatory. Special support will be given to women.
15.4. Respect for all based on Democratic principles should be encouraged.
16. Protection of Natural Resources
16.1. All economic, scientific and technological development should be focused on safety of the land and those who live on the land including environmental protection.
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16.2. All attempts made by individuals, family, groups, organizations and state should focus on the protection of nature and environment so that these resources should be properly preserved for the current and future generations.
17. National Defense
17.1. The national army based on profession to protect the territorial sovereignty of the country and respect for law and the power of the people which is free from any party or group should be established.
17.2. All agreements that concern the defense of the country should not be infringed on national sovereignty and should be approved by the house of representative.
17.3. The national defense in case of disasters will be called upon to help those who are affected by natural disasters.
18. Foreign Affairs
18.1. Our foreign affairs policy will be based on good neighbors, mutual benefits and peaceful co- existence.
18.2. We will be abided by United Nation Character, African Union Charter and Regional charters.
18.3. We will promote peaceful conflict resolution based on negotiation, mediation and democratic principles.
This Political program is amended by The Oromo Liberation Front National Council meeting held on December 30 and 31, 2011, in Minneapolis/St. Paul/ Minnesota, USA.
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