In 1991 before I briefly worked with the Wayane leaders, I told them in an open encounter that, if they wanted to be seriously consistent, they must regard Imam Ahmad Gran ( Imam Ahmad ibn al-Ghazi) as one of Ethiopian historical figures and not an enemy of Ethiopia.
They were all shocked but pretended otherwise saying my point deserved serious consideration at the right time. I did of course present to them the same idea in a written form in the context of broadly outlining my conditions for joining them. In that document, besides, I dealt with the issues of social and economic transformation and the rights of nations to self-determination, most of which they pretended to accept in principle to turn it later into a constitution not worth the paper on which it was written…
Now, almost two decades later, Wayane is erecting statutes for some dead Muslims, such as Sayyid Mohammed Abdullah Hassan, while persecuting the living Muslim leaders who have been making peaceful demands for change. Even the notorious Ayaan Hirsi Ali had an article posted in Ethiomedia on the topic to the satisfaction of the Abyssinian chauvinists. The Wayane is trying to systematically misuse the history of past Oromo struggle by erecting monuments to divert attention, while working ceaselessly to destroy Oromos who struggle for freedom at present.
After the encounter, Meles Zenawi cancelled a meeting with me which was organized by Hassan Ali. Soon it became clear to me that the TPLF learned practical techniques and skills from new members and sympathizers only to eliminate them later in different ways.
It did the same with new and fresh political ideas. It pretended to adopt them only to eliminate them and those who fathered them, in the most cynical manner. This is actually part of the Abyssinian political culture. That is why it is extremely dangerous to trust Abyssinian dictators and politicians. Those who do, have always to pay high price in their lives or to make a sell out.. This is undeniable reality in Ethiopia. This is also why the Abyssinians can never win over serious and honest people, never. Their cup is full of their own chauvinistic and militaristic ideas that there is no place for others. They do always underestimate human understanding and even common sense.
By erecting some statues they hope to divide Muslims and Oromos at the same time. In the mean time, they are generating contradictions by exclusively appointing Oromo puppets, as OPDO members, from Christian background even in predominantly Muslim areas such as Harar, Arsi, Jimma etc. encouraging them to commit horrendous crimes. Have they run short of puppets from Muslim background? I do not think so. They are once again trying to divide the Oromo people along religious lines. It is their message to the Christian Oromos that Muslim Oromos represent a real threat to them. Again, a very old Abyssinian game. Remember what Haile Sellassie had done to the Eritrean lowlanders by misusing the religious divide. Most Oromos cannot be warned easily due to structural demoralization, ignorance and petty opportunism. Despite the lessons from history many Oromos are still taken in by the old Abyssinian tricks. History repeats itself when people refuse to learn its lessons. Or is it for Wayane, as the saying goes, a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush? Anyway, is it valid to say, when ignorance is bliss it is folly to be wise?