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Much has been written about the 1935 Italian Invasion of Abyssinia. But just little has been said, in disguise, regarding the domestic political dimension of the war. It is the recent opinion by Tola Biya entitled ‘Ethiopia: Remembering Oromo Patriots who fought in World War II’ that prompted me to briefly and quickly compose this perspective of the war, without referring back to the ample material I have on the subject.
Background to domestic politics before the Italian invasion:
Despite Teferi Mokonen’s effort, many Ethiopian armies didn’t heed the Emperor’s call for mobilization. To the contrary, Italians exploited this mega ‘internal’ crisis for its advantage and managed to get the support from all of Eritrea, Somali, Afar, most of Tigre, Wello, Gojjam and of course the Oromos. Eritrean and Somali Askari soldiers- indigenous colonial troops- became major part of the colonial Italian troops. The high-tech military superiority, support from Europeans and Roman Catholic Pope coupled with massive internal support they had gained gave the colonial Italian troops absolute advantage over the savage Abyssinian army. On top of that Ras Gugsa of Tigre joined the Italian forces with his army.
The war ended shortly but with massive causalities. After seeing the direction and seriousness of the war, Ras Hailu of Gojjam and Ras Seyoum of Tigre deserted back to their territory. The disintegrated (mainly) Shoa army had to face the skirmish battle from within. The Wello blocked the way and ambushed retreating Shoan army led by a Ras and even pursued to capture escaping Emperor Teferi Mokonnen. Following news of the defeated Emperor’s escape, the surrounding Oromos rushed to Addis Ababa on horseback for revenging. They went on the rampage, looting and killing of the Neftegnas. Most Europeans sought refuge at foreign embassies based in the capital. The Egyptian patriarch escaped to his country. Hararghe, Arsi, Bale, and Borana Oromos collaborated with Italian army in evacuating the Shoa Neftegna-Melkegna settlers- most of who managed to escape. To the southwest, Abba Jobir of Jimma was hunting for remnants of Neftegna army in collaboration with Italians. The first measure Italy took at arrival of Addis Ababa was to demolish the statue of Menelik. Unable to find safe heaven, part of the disintegrated Abyssinian army fled to neighboring countries of Djibouti, Kenya and the Sudan. Many surrendered to the Italians while other parts of the defeated army were either forced or chose to be guerilla fighters, latter to be called ‘Arbegna’. Those who opposed the Neftegna party were called ‘Banda’. Strangely, there were a number of famous Oromo Arbegnas, mainly from Shoa-Tullama, who bravely fought the Italian colonizers undermining the Neftegna colonizes. I have difficulty calling Abyssinianized Oromos who consciously or unknowingly collaborated with brutal regimes against their people real Oromos, even though they have pure Oromo blood.
The five years 1936-1941 period of Italian occupation was a blessing in disguise for majority of southern non-Abyssinian Ethiopians, including the Oromos. The formal and practical abolition of slavery and internal colonization, the religious freedom, especially for Islam, the massive construction, modernization and civilization and the like can be mentioned. It is during this time the first Afan-Oromo Radio started transmission from Harar and Jimma. It is also during this time, Mosques were constructed in Addis, Jimma, Harar, and Desse. It was during this time the first Oromo confederacies established. Sadly, however, all these humanizing initiatives got back to even more brutal savagery level when H. Sillassie of Shoa started enslavement and counter revenging campaign following British assisted evacuation of the Italians. In short, the second Italy-Abyssinian war was conducted over another internal colonization. Strictly speaking, the war was conducted between Italian colonizers and Shoa colonizers; as the recent Ethio-Eritrea war was between TPLF and EPLF. The others were nothing except being fun like ‘Andu Siyageba, Lelawu Gagaba”. From my understanding of the Abyssinian-Ethiopian history, the five years of Italian occupation of Ethiopia were the first best time since Menelik’s holocaust. The second best may be Emperor Iyasu’s time and the third best was the initial stage of the Derg regime, thanks to Dr. Haile Fida. The writer can be reached at
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Comments
But I think the Oromo role and reaction to the fascist invasion was not solely that of support for the Italians.It is true that in the East and Western part of the the country, Oromos and others saw the Italian a liberators of religious and ethnic repression. In contrast, the Oromos of central Oromia, the administrative region known as Shewa,opposed the Italians and fought them to the bitter end. In fact most if not all of the arbegna's and black lions were Oromos. And they did not fight to re-instate the King but to defend their homeland. Hence we would be making the same mistake as Abyssnians to claim that Oromos took one side on the war.
It was because Hailesia[censor ed]sie backstabed those heroic resistance fighters that led to gradual birth of Metcha Tulama and development of modern Oromo nationalist movement. Then if we are going to make facts bitter, then we are going to have to reveal what is bitter to both sides.
the truth is Italians come to occupy Oromia. Tigre and Eritrea was under their control. The same is true of Somalia. The only independent country was central Oromia. One may say ideologically the Shewa Oromo made huge mistake. It is true they handed over power to Amharas. But let no one doubt their heroism. This writing lacks historical backing. It should n't have been posted here with out further edit.
I read Tola Biya's article. It was meant to remember Oromo heroes. This article is an insult and intended to shame our heroes. Shame on you.
Editor of this site should get someone to assist him on what to publish and what not. This is divisive article that should not have been published. O you might be living in the US. In Germany we have common sense lol
We value you feedback's and would like to assure you that we did not post the above article without considering some of the statements that can come off as offensive.Or as some of you have implied not to divide Oromos.
Nonetheless, I ask you all to calm down, stop blaming the writer, the editor and state the facts so that the writer and readers can learn from it.
Mind you, one cannot hope to correct historical misrepresentati ons by emotionally reacting to everything that is written.
Thus, I urge you all to be patient and send us your rebuttals...that way the record can be set straight.
Thank you.
Oromsis Adula, Editor
Lately your site was providing very good prespective on Oromo issues. Keep on the good work.
But this article should not have been published. I read on Jimma Times a person by name Kamel calling Abdisa Aga a traitor. That person might be the writer of this article. I am sure you might have felt bad about what you posted here.
Until one or two website emerge as good websites for Oromo cause do not abuse your power sir.
I join all those who made comments to remove this rabish. Shame on the writer. He must be one of the bandas.
We will overcome TPLF fascism and Nazism. But let not the likes Tuji distruct and divide us.
I will write you personalised email if I get time.
Your reader from Adama.
Please remove this article from this site. He is not Tuji he is tuqa --filfel.
I agree with Jarso, this guy is konka quil eras.
I would like to assure you one thing, oromos and other ethioipans suffered equaly during all the repressif regims, and of guys like you think otherwise, exile is a better option, since if you fight you can only get killed.
Thank you taju
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