Gadaa.com conducted an interview with a young Oromo political analyst and social commentator, Mr. Jawar Mohammed, about his childhood, political views and visions. Gadaa.com: What’s the “Oromo cause” from your perspective?Jawar Mohammed: {...} there is no question that the Oromo people have the legal and moral rights to establish an independent state. But, it is crucial that we rationally evaluate the benefits and costs of such a decision. It’s obvious that the formation of an independent Oromian state would bring an end to the existence of the Ethiopian state and lead to the subsequent disintegration of the over 80 ethnic groups in that country. Such a scenario would engulf the entire region into chaos. Even if we assume Oromia can be self-sustaining due to its size and resource, the neighboring people would have a difficult time surviving, and the resulting desperation and inevitable conflict would have drastic negative impacts. Even if a warring group might not fight the Oromo, being surrounded by such a group would cripple Oromia’s economic development and could be a security nightmare – a situation that would undercut any hope of having a democratic, stable and developmental government in Oromia.
Therefore, those advocating this position have the burden to tell us why their proposal is a better alternative to change within the current state. Liberation to me is about building a foundation for a prosperous, just, democratic and sustainable future. Disintegrating the current Ethiopian state by the removal of any group is tantamount to committing collective suicide, and the Oromo have a vested interest and moral responsibility to prevent such a tragedy from taking place. It is in our best interest to preserve the territorial integrity of the Ethiopian state, democratize the system, create an inclusive political community, and make the country home for everyone – and we can. We can draw inspiration as well as values and principles from the glorious Gadaa system, the oldest and most egalitarian democratic system in the world. We are proud of our heritage, so let’s share it with our neighbors. Let’s lead by providing an example of a brighter future that all can share. As a majority, we do not lose anything from democracy taking root in Ethiopia, but we have the capability to create a win-win situation for all. Ending subjugation and empowering the Oromo people are essential for peace and stability of that region. And yet, unless the Oromo take leadership and full ownership of the process, I would argue, it is impossible to establish a democratic system in Ethiopia. This is an unpleasant reality: the Oromo have been the primary victims of the Ethiopian state, yet the Oromo shoulder the primary responsibility for shaping its future.
