The Oromo people have been a member of the UNPO since 2004.

The Oromo people have a unique cultural identity but due to that they have and still faced systematic marginalization, human rights abuses, and political exclusion, making them one of the most oppressed groups in Ethiopia. Despite challenges like land dispossession, political repression, and cultural assimilation, the Oromo community continues to fight for self-determination, justice, and the preservation of their heritage. Giving the Oromo people the right to self-determination, including equal participation in politics, is crucial for addressing the injustices they face and promoting peace and stability in the region.

The UNPO secretariat works for the rights of the Oromo people as a whole and collaborates with various civil society organizations, groups, and representatives from the Oromo community. However, the main organization representing the rights of the Oromo within the UNPO membership and with voting rights at the General Assembly is the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF). You can read more about the Oromo Liberation Front here.

The Oromo people, the largest ethnic group in Ethiopia, have a rich cultural heritage rooted in their unique language, Afaan Oromo, and their traditional socio-political system, known as the Gadaa system. This indigenous democratic system has been central to Oromo identity, guiding social, political, and religious life for centuries. The Oromo have maintained their cultural distinctiveness despite long-standing efforts to assimilate them into the broader Ethiopian state, which has often led to the marginalization of their language, traditions, and identity.

The Oromo people have faced systematic marginalization and repression for decades. Historically, they have been excluded from political power in Ethiopia, despite being the largest ethnic group. This marginalization intensified under the latest Ethiopian regimes, culminating in widespread protests and resistance, particularly against land dispossession and political exclusion.

The 2015 protests against the ‘Addis Ababa Integrated Plan’ highlighted the Oromo’s struggle for land and cultural preservation. The plan to displace Oromo farmers led to widespread protests, which were violently suppressed by the government, causing many deaths and arrests. These events highlighted the ongoing struggle of the Oromo people for self-determination and rights in a centralized state that has long ignored their demands. 

The situation evolved significantly after Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed came to power in 2018. Initially, Abiy was celebrated as a reformer, releasing political prisoners, including leaders of the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF), and allowing exiled opposition groups to return. However, the optimism was short-lived as the political landscape in Oromia remained volatile, with renewed violence and military crackdowns leading to human rights abuses, including extrajudicial killings, mass arrests, and widespread displacement.

Since 2018, Ethiopia has witnessed a resurgence of violence, particularly in the Oromia region. The Oromo Liberation Army (OLA), a breakaway faction of the OLF, has been actively engaged in armed resistance against the Ethiopian government, which has responded with heavy military operations. These crackdowns have resulted in severe human rights violations, further exacerbating the socio-economic conditions in Oromia. Many Oromo civilians face insecurity, loss of livelihoods, and limited access to basic services such as healthcare and education.

The situation in Oromia has worsened due to the conflict in the Tigray region, which began in November 2020. Although the conflict mainly involves the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) and the Ethiopian government, its impact has been felt across the country, including in Oromia. The government’s focus on Tigray has led to neglect of other regions, increasing violence and instability in Oromia. The Oromo people, caught in the crossfire of these broader national conflicts, continue to struggle for justice, autonomy, and recognition.

The systemic discrimination, human rights abuses, and political exclusion faced by the Oromo people are deeply rooted in the denial of their right to determine their own political, economic, and cultural future.

Recognizing and upholding the self-determination rights of the Oromo people is essential for promoting peace and stability in Ethiopia. Addressing the root causes of the injustices suffered by Oromo people, including land dispossession, arbitrary arrests, and restrictions on freedom of expression and assembly, is not only crucial for their community but also for the stability and peace of Ethiopia as a whole. A comprehensive and inclusive approach that respects the rights of the Oromo and other marginalized communities is essential for a just and peaceful future for all Ethiopians.