Mekelle፡Telaviv, Nairobi, Pretoria, London, (Tigray Herald)
Oromo Civil Society Federation of Australia Condemns Eritrean President
The Oromo Civil Society Federation of Australia has issued a strong condemnation of Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki following remarks he made during Eritrea’s Independence Day. In his speech, President Isaias Afwerki reportedly dismissed the ideological foundation of “Oromuma”, claiming that “does not represent the Oromo people”, a statement critics say is both historically misleading and deeply offensive.
The Federation argues that Afwerki’s comments misrepresent the long-standing ideological and political struggles of the Oromo people, particularly their resistance against imperial domination and continued marginalization. The ideology of Oromiyaa, they emphasize, reflects the collective aspirations of the Oromo for self-determination, justice, and equality.
Labeling the speech as “reckless and inflammatory,” the Federation warned that such rhetoric risks inciting hostility or even violence against the Oromo community, both within the Horn of Africa and in the diaspora. They urged regional leaders to act responsibly and refrain from rhetoric that undermines the lived experiences and rights of marginalized communities.
The statement concludes with a call for solidarity with the Oromo people and a reaffirmation of the Federation’s commitment to defending the historical truth and promoting peaceful coexistence.
