(Qeerroo News, 24 October 2011)  I am thankful of the International Oromo Youth Association (IOYA) for initiating the “We the People Petition” to President Barack Obama. Our political organizations have failed you because they have polarized our people. Due to the ethnocentric nature of the regime on power, there is a great sense of fear for reprisal. Many people fear for themselves and their loved ones.

Here are some very important notes that I have taken from the lectures of two experts that specialize in conflict resolution. They are friends of the Oromo people and both of them were invited by the Oromo Community Organization (OCO) of the Metropolitan Washington, D.C. On these workshops, our friends gave us good advice that are based on pragmatic reasoning. Some of their advice were:

–  Organize true believers

–  Learn from past failures

–  Get your own instrument to get your messages out

–  Know the timing

–  Be solution oriented; do not fan the problems only

– Give a space for yourself; also know that your passion for freedom is incomplete if it does not include your neighbors

– Force your enemies to break their own laws

– Transcend regional and religious differences

– Avoid self-loading problems such as internalizing fear and inferiority

One of these experts said: “If an Oromo is not angry at this time, her/his head must be sick.”

I think the Horn of Africa is “On His Watch” and here is an E-mail message from Michael Blake. He asked me to pass it on to anyone I know. A message to IOYA: The struggle is not over yet and never give up! I also urge all Oromo political organizations to respond positively to the plight of our people for unity.

Feyera Sobokssa can be reached at akkumaa777@aol.com