The Truth We Carry
I am an Oromo. I am a lifelong supporter of the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF). And today, I am an active member.
These words — my identity — could cost me my life.
In Ethiopia, to stand with the OLF is not merely a political disagreement. It is treated as a crime. And for some, it has become a death sentence.
The name Bate Urgessa will not leave my mind. He was an OLF member. An activist. A son of Oromia. And by many accounts, he was killed — not in battle, not by accident — but because of who he was and what he believed.
The Ethiopian government has denied responsibility. But the Oromo people know. We have seen this pattern before.
Bate Urgessa is not alone. Across Oromia, activists, journalists, and opposition members have been arrested, disappeared, or found dead. The charges are often vague: “terrorism,” “disturbing peace,” or simply “affiliation with OLF.”
But what crime is it to demand justice? What crime is it to speak your language with pride? What crime is it to want your children to live free?
If these are crimes, then I am guilty. And so are millions of Oromos.
Fear is Their Weapon
The government knows that fear silences faster than laws. When a young Oromo sees what happened to Bate Urgessa, they ask themselves: Will I be next? Should I speak? Should I stay quiet?
But here is what the government does not understand: you cannot kill an idea. You can kill Bate. You can kill me if you find me. But you cannot kill the Oromo desire for justice.
I write this not to incite violence — but to name the truth. The Ethiopian government must be held accountable for extrajudicial killings of OLF members, the targeted assassination of activists like Bate Urgessa, and a legal system that criminalizes Oromo political expression.
To the international community: do not look away. Silence is complicity.
To my Oromo brothers and sisters: do not let fear win. Remember Bate. Honor him by continuing the struggle — safely, wisely, and unapologetically.
I stand for justice. I stand for equality. I stand for the Oromo people.
And I will never stand down.
Abdisa Kedir
A Historic Protest for the Voiceless: London’s Oromo Diaspora Rises on 30th March 2026
Voice for the Voiceless
By Abdisa Kedir
On March 30, 2026, members of the Oromo community from the UK protested in central London. It started out as a calm protest but evolved into a strong voice raised to demand justice, dignity, and recognition.
Men, women, participated in the protests carrying placards with slogans such as “Stop the Killings in Oromia” and “Justice for the Voiceless.” People also had pictures of those who had died during these atrocities as part of their protest.
This particular protest did not just involve people but became hiriiraa where men, women, spoke up. Various languages were used, but their demands remained the same – the rest of the world could not remain blind about what was taking place in Oromia.
In their march through the streets and silent vigil at Trafalgar Square, one slogan kept reverberating in the air:
Oromoo, dagaaga
