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Obbo Leenco Lata’s Interview with VOA on Current State of the Oromo Struggle

July 31, 2012 at 10:51 pm · Gadaa.com

The following is an interview with Obbo Leenco Lata. The interview, which discussed the current state of the Oromo struggle, was conducted by VOA’s journalist Adanech Fessehaye, and was aired on July 28, 2012.

Or, alternatively, the following is an audio-only link of the same interview for users with low Internet speed:

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- OLF: The Oromo People Should Intensify the Struggle without Being Distracted by Misinformation

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27 Comments

  1. Yadessa Badhaasaa kutu said,

    August 1, 2012 @ 1:49 am

    Obbo Leencoo Lataa nama salphaa miti jechuu dur oduun se’an turee amma immoo sirnaan mirkanfadheen jira. I like your clear and straight point on your stands. An waan hundumaa irraa dubbii kee keessaa Abashoota hawachuuf jettee soba akka strategit itti gargaaramuu dhiisuun kee hedduu nagammachiisa. Nuti Bilisummaa Oromoo fi Oromiyaa barbaadnaa si waliin lafa itti adda baanutu hin jiru. we need a leader like you Lencoo Lataa a leader who knows what he does, a leader who can understand the ramifications of his actions. Hundumaa irra immoo deebbii ati wa’ee qabsoo hidhannoo irrat kaaftes hedduu naaf ta’e, deebii ati wa’ee haalaa fi yeroo waliin of jijiiranii tocho’uu jettes immoo waanuma hundumaa irra naaf ta’ee jira. Jiraadhu LEENCOO LATAA WAAQAYYOO!!!!!!

  2. Abbaa Shagar said,

    August 1, 2012 @ 3:18 am

    I like this man, he speak the reality on the ground very clearly and it is also very true. We need to organise ourselves based on the reality and that would help us to overcome our people’s century old burden. I pray to the Almighty God so that Mr. Leenco and his comerades would come to some sort of vission for our future struggle for freedom.

  3. Falmata biyaa said,

    August 1, 2012 @ 4:08 am

    Good job obbo lencho you are one of the smartest Oromo one day we can get what we went with help of God

  4. amir said,

    August 1, 2012 @ 5:07 am

    O boo lanco hundda suma Kan warra Dhhaa wajin cub u ormo irr ati hooja tu hoojii kee waa qini sii fi haa la tau lafeen gootowan dhugaaf warrgamani yookaan ekeeraan issaani oljedhee hoojiikkee haa dawatu atti deemi gali nutti warrior atti warra dhihatti gurgurate alumna alaumaan allatti hafnullee enyuu Akaka warra dhihatti nuguguratte beekuun gaarridha Ijoollee teenaafi dhamssa goona

  5. Nanda Demcha said,

    August 1, 2012 @ 8:01 am

    Goodness! why can’t obboo Leencoo just stop meddling in Oromo national struggle and quietly retire. He seems to have an inflated view of himself; as if the Oromo struggle cannot stand on its own feel without his presence. This is the man who brought avoidable disasters on OLF and the Oromo people in 1991. The leader who couldn’t foresee the scenarios that was likely to unfold and prepare the Oromo people for the consequences should be ashamed of himself. We saw his lack of vision and leadership. He abandoned countless Oromos who joined the OLF in disarray and left through Bole for the West. Now he has the guts to say that because he was thrown out of the OLF and no one could shut him up and he can once again try his luck by hijacking the Oromo struggle for his own doddering political ambition. Please listen carefully to the reason he gave why he wanted the so-called “Oromo Dialougue Forum”. For me he started this ridiculous scheme not because he has Oromo best interest at heart but rather to avenge on the current OLF leaders (esp Dawud Group) for removing him from the OLF leadership. He was also the main reason for the failure of reconciliation effort among OLF factions in the past. Leencoo is a guy who loves media/public attention and that is more important to him than strengthening the Oromo just struggle. Oslo wasn’t kind to him and it was too cold over there’ and the man is only getting older and he wants something that once again gives him a chance to go back to dilly dally in Finfinnee. It’s makes me sick when this man and Dima Nugoo say that Oromos now know themselves, they are given the right to use their language and Oromia is officially accepted-their reasoning being we don’t need to fight or ask for independence. What guarantees do the Oromos have that these minor achievements are not going to be reversed in the future if the Amharas triumph or Amharas and Tigres make a deal to destroy the Oromo. Of we give our armed struggle Oromos are finished. Don’t forget that the TPLF kept this rights at least on paper because Oromos can be mobilised under the OLF once again if that right is taken away. I feel that the future for oromummaa is full of challenges and bitter struggle and we have to prepare ourselves for that.
    Oromos should avoid getting involved in this man’s political machinations and stand by the Oromos nationalists and freedom fighters, We will prevail.

  6. Gadaa (Visitor) Ganamaa said,

    August 1, 2012 @ 9:26 am

    well done ob. Leencoo! liked ur point and support u in any way possible.

  7. rudee said,

    August 1, 2012 @ 9:37 am

    Thanks Gadaa.com for being our only impartial midea outlet!. you guys deserve great respect from fellow Oromians.
    The midea should be balanced, fair to every oromoo political group or individuals. So I greatly appricate what you guys doing.

    Obbo Lencho took a very Bold move. That is what is meant by leadership!!. Big Kudos To Leenchoo Lata for making us politically and socially aware about the Oromos cause and now once again he his determined to lead us to our final distnation.
    Irrispective of the Propaganda camaign aginst him both from Enemy and our brothers, He never gave up and surrendered. MAy God keep him safe and healthy!
    I fullheartdly beleive that Lencho has no intention to Harm QBO and the Oromo for he has lost so much of his precious life time for the cause of Oromos.

    From now on, I am 100% with obbo Lencho and his group. I also call up on all Oromos to open thei eyez/ears and see and hear what would be the most responsible, plausable and effective way to reach Our goal.
    Resons:
    1-The World has changed so much(e.g. getting materical and fincial support from foreign countries has become so deficult and the security issues gat very tight all over the world).
    2-The complexity in Ethiopian Empire/horn of Africa/world, The inrterest of the Western/Eastern powers to defend the empire for their geopolitical and economic needs
    3-The Geographic distribution of the Oromos within the ethiopian Empire and the Horn as a whole.

    Let’s learn how to accomadate our diffrences and wage a fianl war on Woyane. Let’s learn that every Oromian is entitled to follow any political Organization and has right to say whatever he/she beleives in.

  8. Negawo said,

    August 1, 2012 @ 11:50 am

    Good job Jalle Lencoo, the silent majority always backs you. More Oromos know your smart move than you can imagine. unless you come clear and forward like this there is no way that we can have our goal accomplished. please make sure you will not be distracted by the so called radicals. We are with you and Oromo is expecting you for further dialogue and mission. ulfaadhu naagaan nu jjraadhu.

  9. Wallaalaa tu barreesse said,

    August 1, 2012 @ 5:46 pm

    Kan nama ajaa’ibu tu, garee Shanee Dawud kana keessaa nama afaan Inglizii barreessuu mitii kan Afaan Oromoo illee sirriitti barreessuu danda’u keessaa dhibe jechuudhaa? Waa barreessuu kana yoo dhiisanoo, maal ta’a? Waan isaan ibsa jedhanii gadi namatti fidan marti hoqqisa gadi nama fida. Qaanii…

  10. waqqoo said,

    August 1, 2012 @ 7:17 pm

    Lencho is paid agent by Meles. Period

  11. gofta said,

    August 1, 2012 @ 8:55 pm

    In Lenco we have at least one leader who understands the intricacies of world politics and also a matured politician who can articulate our cause for us. Thank you sir for all you did for the Oromo cause.

  12. Lammii said,

    August 1, 2012 @ 10:31 pm

    Wallaalaa tu barreessee,

    Kan ati barreessete iyyuu ni dubbifamaa?? “Kan nama ajaa’ibu tu” maal jechuudha kun???,Akkasuma ta’e dubbiin!

    Akkuma obbo Leencoo dubbatan ‘flexibility is a must in politics’. Akkaataan isaan qabsicha ilaalaa jiran garuu rakkina waan qabu natti fakkaata. One thing is very clear: Obbo Leencoo Lataa is too old to take to the bushes. Otoo gorsaa ta’anii qabsicha qaqqajeelchiif yaalan daran gaarii natti fakkaata, instead of airing his personal views about two big words ‘Bilisummaa” and “Walabummaa”.

  13. lootii said,

    August 2, 2012 @ 8:43 am

    Obbo lencoo akka nama tokotiisii ta’e akka haayuu oromotii mirgaa dhalotaa guutumma qaba ilalchaa fi kayyoo isaa ibsuuf …. It make me wounder when layers are so uncomfortable and so restless just because he openly discuss his idea . live with it he is who is at least he is not pretending to be who is not and telling us all the fibs.

  14. chala said,

    August 2, 2012 @ 8:51 am

    I do not like this guy he got old and much confused.What the relatilation ship between china or India,and Saud Arabia investiment in Ethiopia with changing of kayyo.Rother it should makes our kayyo more strong because our people are evicted much more now from his land than 40 years ago.Also my second point how the grawth of population from fifty million to eighty million makes kayyo change. The grawth population should strength our qabsso because more Oromos suffering now than before.Why Lencho Leta spoke in Amharic now, he didn’t speak in amharic during the time of transitional Charter was adopted.That is a kayyo change for Lencho Leta?

  15. Hawwii Dhugaa said,

    August 2, 2012 @ 10:34 am

    Obbo Leencoo, please stop confusing Oromo people that you have been doing for many years. Why should you divert from the reality while you truly know the desire of Oromo. You will never get success while you are collaborating with brothers of your colonizers. And stop speaking against OLF that has genuine programs and objective of Oromo people. How dare you talk about solving Oromos’ problem without having tangible programs and objectives that address Oromo people, as you mentioned in your interview. What so ever you and your kind may say, we Oromo people will continue supporting and struggling with our legitimate organization OLF. Of course, the divided subgroup of OLF will be one soon. Don’t continue confusing people who have shallow understanding about status of awesome OLF struggle that is heading to its success.

  16. dhuga said,

    August 2, 2012 @ 11:06 am

    Dear J/Lencoo,
    It is true. The world is changed, but to very bad situation for Oromos. You are changed to ethiopianist, the OLF is changed to splitter and egos, the TPLF is changed to evil, the rich countries or people are exploiting and polluting our fertile land. Our fighters went back home. You know all this long time ago. Why you sleep so long if you have an easy, non violent solution for this?

  17. Sanyii Hundumaa said,

    August 2, 2012 @ 1:26 pm

    Obbo Lenccoo you have much explained and clarify your stand this time more than any other time. Now we know you trying to betray the QBO to fulfill your personal ambition. You have been laying to us for the last 40 plus years saying you are fighting for Oromo self-determination. Now you say the Oromo must work on democratizing the Ethiopian Empire.

  18. boona said,

    August 2, 2012 @ 2:46 pm

    Don’t we have Oromo patriots who can take care of this confusion? This guy has been toying with the Oromo issue for the last 25 years and more. Nothing he did was the right poltical decision. The more I see him, he reminds me of those Oromo youth who perished in Oromia for a genuine and just cause unlike him whose mission is to occupy a power center in the name of the Oromo people. Let him know that we have much more vision than his egoistic plan. Retire and stay quiet please. We will fulfill the promise of true compatriots.

  19. fuulldraa said,

    August 2, 2012 @ 6:54 pm

    Thank you. Oboo Lencho Letta..

    You are the only true Oromo politician who is not caught up by emotional hype that has been going for years. You understand the situation with rational mind. And that exactly what the Oromo struggle needs. You do not have to be distracted by dreadful comments in here. You have many of us behind you and we will support you in any way possible..

  20. obsaa said,

    August 3, 2012 @ 1:50 am

    @Nanda Damecha

    Thank you very much for raising some eloquent scenarios. You wrote ” What guarantees do the Oromos have that thes. e minor achievements are not going to be reversed in the future if the Amharas triumph or Amharas and Tigres make a deal to destroy the Oromo. ”
    Addunyaan kun humnaan malee seeraan bulaa hinjirtu. “Survival of the Fittest ka Jedhamu” tiyoorii Daarwiiniitiin gaggeeffamaa jirti. Ummanni tokko humna waraanaa isa tiksu hinqabu taanaan bilisummaatiin jiraachuu hindanda’u.Kanaaf Nafxanyoota wajjin teenyee marii’anne dubbii fixuun in dandaa’ama jedhee Oromoon yaadu yoo jiraate gowwaadhaa ykn ta’e jedhee bowaatti nu oofu ka barbaadu diina keessaa/ergamaa jaraa/ ti.

  21. Waqjiraa Gudataa said,

    August 3, 2012 @ 7:13 am

    History repeats itself?, if so Obbo Leencoo’s interview proved that fact the same as in 1993 his another surrender to our historical enemy is an insulting his nation who still has great respect and love towards the fathers of our movement including our Leencoo. But appearing on Ahmara voice is a historical mistake due to the fact that what Ahmara elities want to hear is the destruction of the OLF as their worest enemy. What makes upset the Oromo nation is that when our Leencoo knows this reality why he crossed the red rout of history? Or to punish his own nation?. It does not matter what he said, the way his approach is to expose our internal affairs what matters. He should have avoid such political consumism from our foes. Can his counterpart Mesfin Siyum or Sebhat or any the TPLF founders expose their affairs to their foes?. Our weakness or strength comes from such unnoticed determination and easy move.

  22. Mulataa said,

    August 3, 2012 @ 7:52 am

    It is beyond any reasonable doubt that the Oromo issue can only be addressed within the Ethiopian unity as stated by Obbo Lencoo here. But he is not the right person to lead that effort given his previous questionable records. Oromo leaders should be visionaries who can see beyond the illusion of independence.
    As it stands to day issues are more in favor of united solutions than independent effort. No one community will ever succeed against Woyane’s evil plot in Ethiopia by going alone. Worri billisuma malee waan birraa hinfeenu jedhannii gogoganni gaabbuuftaa’u. The Ethiopian social psychology has been drastically changed, Oromo leaders should work together to take the people forward by cutting the best deal for the Oromo people by working with others who are willing to work with them in stead of squabbling from a fragmented position simply dreaming independence while their act is contradicting what they claim.

    Oromos had been much worse of under Woyane than they were under Derg when it comes to the representation in government posts simply compare the Oromo generals in army, there is no one with real power at all to day. We are given the name Oromia on paper and every thing is taken away from us, Oromos are the most losers under Woyane. Our resource is gone as we are mere by standers basking in joy of the empty name we got as in Oromia.

    Work with others and achieve or just sit there lamenting for ever!!! Ummaan Oromo waan issaaf ta’u hubachaadhufeera, illaaladha, Qofaa haffufi deemtu.

  23. rayaa said,

    August 3, 2012 @ 2:12 pm

    @Mulataa .. I cannot agree more with your statement “simply dreaming independence while their act is contradicting what they claim.”

  24. oliqa sayoo said,

    August 4, 2012 @ 5:20 pm

    obbo lenco yadii isiin ama kana qabatani dhiyatta jirtan siriti oromo cunqursa jala jiruf bu’a gudaa qabata jenne akka malle baye isiniti gamane jira waqayoo isin haa ebisuu wae dhimma oromoti debi’u kenif.amas tana umati biya hundumara yada kesan kanati gamada jiru akkan namota kesuma VOA irati obbo namo dandi interview isingodha sana dha’an.amayuu calati umatati gadi akka dhiyattan isin gafanna.Lenco leta will be great leader.kayoo qabdut jabadhu obbo leco nutis si walin dhabana.Be bless obbo lenco

  25. hatahu garuu said,

    August 5, 2012 @ 9:04 pm

    fayyaa tahaa obbo Leenco!
    Dhaabbii keessan baruu koof baayyeen gammada. wannoota dhoksaa qabsoo oromoo qucaacaa tures, hubachaan jira. garuu umriin qabsoo oromoo dheeratus akkuma isinuu jettan oromoon yeroo ammaa wanna hedduutti milkaaweera.
    Rakkoon oromoo inni diinaa fi firri hodeessu leadership dha jedhu, isa kanaaf ragaan yeroo ammaa OLF bakka 4 jira.isa kana bakkatti deebisuuf ykn karaa tokko irratti deebiftee wanna oromoo dhaaf bu`aa qabu hojjechuuf yoo lafaa kaate wanni ati hin deggeramneef hin jiru. ani gama kiyyaan Leencoo Lataa umurii isaa guutuu waa`ee oromoo irratti fixee har“a oromoo diinaaf kenna jedhee hin amanu. gama kiyyaan. ana kan tolu leencoon haala polotica addunyaa yeroo waliin waan deemuuf,

  26. Tokkuma said,

    August 6, 2012 @ 9:49 pm

    It is interesting to hear obbo Lencoos interview. He talks that the world has changed and changing. He is right the world is changing. Than ever before the idea of liberty and equity is dominating the world. That is why South Sudan was liberated a year ago. Obbo Leenco did not gave reason why the idea of liberty would not work for the Oromo people. Than ever before, now days leaders are expected to be accountable. That is why Mubareck of Egypt was sentenced in life time imprisonment. Obbo Leenco did not mentioned who should be accountable to the 1992 encampment. If he made such a big mistake and does not want take accountable for that, how do i know if he will be accountable in the future. By failing to be accountable he created a trend that the Oromo people has deal with it in the future. He is right, things have been changed and changing. Things have been changed, now it is the time when the leaders terms of service are getting limited. For over three decades obbo Leenco led Oromo Liberation Struggle. If he is trying to come back as a leader he is creating anther trend–life time leadership- which is contrary to the core Oromo culture. Obbo Lencoo be honest, the trend is for human rights (individuals rights and collective rights), equity, accountability and democracy.
    If you believe that Federalism is the way out, you are entitled to your view. If that is the case – you can either join General Kamal’s group or Dr. Mararas group. Forming one organisations after the other is not the way forward.

  27. Tolaa said,

    August 7, 2012 @ 9:42 am

    obbo leencoo,

    akkana jedha oromoon 1. maal haa baasuuf dhama raasuu ?
    2. ka barbaadu duubatti hafe maal barbaachaaf mataa/ gaafa irrattii hobobsa korbeessii re’ee?
    3.kan ol fiiguu dadhabe gad/ dalga fiiga.
    4.yoon nyaachuu baadhe facaaseen balleessa jette simbroon.