The Macha-Tulama Cooperative and Development Association (MTA) would like to announce that

on March 19, 2016, it will be hosting a benefit concert featuring famous Oromo artists, namely, Hacaaluu

Hundessa, Jambo Jote, Tuujii Mudde, Abdi Nuressa, and Dawite Mekonnen. It will take place at the

Fillmore Silver Spring Concert Hall, a nationally renowned venue in the Washington, DC area. This benefit

concert is a fundraiser particularly focused on providing much needed financial assistance to the Oromo

victims of state violence and their families.

During these past couple of years since the student protests began in 2014, Oromo individuals and

communities across North America and Europe have been financially contributing to the MTA to assist

Oromo victims of state violence. Since Fall 2014 to present, MTA has sent over $60,000 to Oromos in

Oromia, Kenya, Egypt, and the Middle East. These funds were sent to assist families of the deceased,

rehabilitate the injured, support those in prison to get legal counsel, medical expenses, and general

assistance with food and shelter. Now, MTA is appealing to all Oromos in the Diaspora to continue

contributing more funds and to attend the Oromo Benefit Concert so that more Oromo victims can be

MTA’s very founding and history is rooted in supporting and mobilizing the Oromo people to solve

their political, cultural and economic problems. The unrelenting subjugation in the 1960s by the Ethiopian

government of the Oromo people, forced a few Oromo individuals who worked within Ethiopian

government institutions (such as schools, the parliament, the military, and the administration), and Oromo

merchants started to think about ways of improving the well-being of the Oromo and protecting their rights

and liberties. During its founding days, the association had two main objectives. The first was the

establishment of schools and health clinics and the construction of roads in Oromia. The second was the

construction of churches and mosques and the provision of financial and legal assistance for disabled and

unemployed persons. These objectives expanded exponentially to create the current role of the MTA, which

is helping Oromo victims of state violence from every walk of life, in every way possible.

In 1963 and 1964, the core of Oromo nationalists, including Haile-Mariam Gamada, a lawyer, and

Alemu Qixxeesa, a retired colonel, and others joined their small self-help associations together to form the

MTA. The emergence of General Taddasa Biru and Captain Mamo Mezemir as its prominent leaders

increased the reputation of the association. The creation of this self-help association and the development

of Oromo national leadership marked the modern rise of Oromo nationalism. Throughout those decades to

recent years, MTA carried out relief activities such as financially supporting those without housing or work,

providing legal assistance to unjustly imprisoned Oromos, helping college students, and even paying

transportation costs for individuals who could not afford it. The MTA USA was formed after the banning

MTA in Oromia by the Ethiopian government in 2011 to continue the objectives of the association with the

support of the entire Oromo Diaspora. The sense of nationalism that MTA was founded on is the

revolutionary Oromo flame that would eventually ignite across Oromia, although it would take decades to

reach its current level.

Today, as Oromo youth, their parents, farmers, teachers, and all continue to sacrifice their precious

lives to demand their rights and liberate their nation, the Oromo Diaspora have moral and historical

obligations to stand with their heroines and heroes and to support them by any means. We must stand with

our people and support them during this time of horror and darkness so that they can reach the light. Please

come to the MTA-hosted benefit concert and join us in supporting our Oromo brothers and sisters in our

collective struggle for our rights, human dignity and self-determination.

If you are not able to attend the benefit concert, you can show solidarity and support in other ways:

● Share information about this event with your network, send out an email through your list-serve,

and encourage your others to attend

● Buy Tickets online at www.universe.com/oromobenefitconcert

● Make a money transfer to the Macha-Tulama Association Emergency Fund

Bank of America

Account #: 446031130697

Routing #: 052001633

● Mail a donation to the Macha-Tulama Cooperative and Development Association, USA. Send

your check or money order, payable to MTA USA, to 811 Upshur St. NW, Washington, DC

● Donate or become a member online at www.machatulama.org

If you would like to send a donation on behalf of your organization to this event, to show our appreciation,

your organization’s name and donation amount will be acknowledged on stage the night of the benefit

Board Chairman, Macha-Tulama Association

The post OROMO BENEFIT CONCERT PRESS RELEASE appeared first on Bilisummaa.

The post ‪#‎OromoProtests‬ Global Solidarity Rally jointly by Saskatoon and Regina , Canada March 11, 2016 appeared first on Bilisummaa.

SALT LAKE CITY — Holding signs depicting bloodied victims of the violence that has erupted in the Oromia region of Ethiopia over the past several months, Utah’s Oromo community rallied Friday in front of the federal building.

The group is demanding U.S. help in bringing justice to their friends and families living in Ethiopia, where government forces have killed hundreds of peaceful protesters opposing the annexation of the country’s capital Addis Abada into surrounding towns.

“We’re here today to protest the killings taking place in every corner of Oromia and to bring that violation of human rights to the government of the United States so that the United States can make some pressure to stop the killing,” said Geleta Fite, who came to the U.S. in 2013. But his family, he said, remains in Ethiopia.

“We will not sit back until we see some change and we see some justice for the murdered,” he said.

Fite joined several dozen other Oromo community members to deliver letters to Utah’s U.S. senators, demanding that the United States “condemn the brutal acts of the Ethiopian government and ensure these acts stop immediately,” the letter states.

Among its requests, the group urged the U.S. to advise its business community to limit spending in Ethiopia until the violence ends and pressure the Ethiopian government to establish an independent investigation into the killings.

The Human Rights Watch has said that there have been “almost daily accounts of killings and arbitrary arrests” since the beginning of the year as Ethiopian forces have suppressed peaceful protests in a government crackdown.

The Associated Press has reported that the protests were led by students who opposed what they believed to be a government plan to expand the capital, which would ultimately lead to the displacement of thousands of families and farmers. The Ethiopian government has denied the protestors’ claims, saying it only seeks to link Addis Ababa with nearby towns.

In January, after the deadly protests erupted, the AP reported Ethiopian officials canceled plans to integrate the capital with surrounding communities. However, the Human Rights Watch has said the bloody crackdown has continued, after the plan’s cancellation did not halt protests.

“This is genocide,” said Genemo Bedaso, chairman of the Utah Oromo Community. “We appeal for America to stop it. They have the power.”

Bedaso and Fite tried to meet with Sen. Orrin Hatch and Sen. Mike Lee on Friday to deliver their group’s letter. The senators were not available, but staff members accepted the letters. Hatch’s spokeswoman, Heather Barney, said the letter will be relayed to the senator in Washington.

“Sen. Hatch is always responsive to his constituents’ concerns and has directed staff to meet with them,” she said. “He’s very concerned about the problems that they’re sketching out and he’s happy to listen.”

The European Parliament adopted a resolution in January to condemn the peaceful protest killings, call for an investigation of the violence, and demand immediate release of arrested Oromo activists.

Email: kmckellar@deseretnews.com

Twitter: KatieMcKellar1

The post ‪#‎OromoProtests‬ Utah Oromo community calls for U.S. pressure to end Ethiopia violence appeared first on Bilisummaa.

The post Hiriira Mormii Oromootii Waashingiton,DC keessatti Bahan appeared first on Bilisummaa.

The post Hiriira Mormii Hawaasa Oromoo biyya Swiizerlaand appeared first on Bilisummaa.

The post Hiriira Mormii Hawaasa Oromoo biyya Beeljiyeem appeared first on Bilisummaa.

The post ‪#‎OromoProtests‬ Global Solidarity Rally, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia March 11, 2016 appeared first on Bilisummaa.

The post ‪#‎OromoProtests‬ Global Solidarity Rally, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia March 11, 2016 appeared first on Bilisummaa.

The post ‪#‎OromoProtests‬ in Lagahare school in Dire Dawa. 6 students arrested so far. March 11, 2016 appeared first on Bilisummaa.

The post ‪#‎OromoProtests‬ Global Solidarity Rally, Upstate New York, March 11, 2016 appeared first on Bilisummaa.

The post ‪#‎OromoProtests‬ Global Solidarity Rally in Seattle, WA March 11, 2016 appeared first on Bilisummaa.

The post #OromoProtests Global Solidarity Forum in Kuwait, March 11, 2016 appeared first on Bilisummaa.

The post Ummanni araddaalee baadiyyaa bifa kanaan gara magaalaa Dadar ( Harargee Bahaa) hiriiraaf yaa’aa jira appeared first on Bilisummaa.

‪#‎OromoProtests‬ rural residents marching towards Dadar, East Hararge. One person has been shot so far. March 12, 2016

The post Naannoo magaalaa Dadar yeroo ammaa appeared first on Bilisummaa.

The post Hiriira Mormii hawaasa Oromoo idil addunyyaa appeared first on Bilisummaa.

‪#‎OromoProtests‬ total of 43 people were reportedly killed in the historic Gara Multat region of East Hararge during the month of January-February 2016. Nineteen (19) people were killed in Gurawa District while 24 were gunned down in various villages and towns of Badano district. Gara Mulata was the headquarters of our liberation struggle from 1970s-1990s hence paid perhaps the heaviest sacrifice of all provinces. The notorious Dergue mass murderer Major Zeleke massacred hundreds of people in the 70s & 80s. More people people martyred in Oromo Liberation Army. In the 1990s the TPLF army under the leadership Samora Yunus waged scorched earth campaign focusing on elders, teachers and businessmen. But mass killing by successive regimes did not force people of Gara Mulata to surrender. Once again they rose up for martyrdom placing themselves at the forefront of the struggle to complete the liberation journey. History shall never forget!!
===========
Harargee Bahaa naannawa Gaara Mul’tatti baatilee Amajjiifi Gurraandhalaa bara 2016 ilmaan Oromoo 43 wareegamuu gabaasni walitti qabamee ni gahe ni agarsiisa. Namni 19 aanaa Gurawaa keessatti, namonni 24 ammoo araddaalee aanaa Baddannoo garagaraa keessatti wareegaman. Konyaan gaara Mul’ataa baroota 1970-1990moota keessa jiddugala qabsoo hidhannoo bilisummaa Oromoo ta’uun yaadatamti. Yeroositti ilmaan Oromoo kumaatamaan kitimaa qabsoo tanaa ta’anii turan. Daraguun ummata Gaara Mullataa dhibbatamaan rashanaa ture. Kanneen biroo ammoo qabsoo hidhannoo keessatti wareegaman. Baroota 1990moota keessa ammoo waraanni Wayyaanee Saamoraa Yuunisin hogganamu duula haxaawwii hamaa manguddoota biyyaa, barsiisotaafi abbootii qabeenyaa irratti xiyyeeffate deemsiisaa ture. Ajeechaan maatii hunda waliin geesse tun ummata keenya kan Gaara Mul’ataa harka hin kennisiifne. Kunoo har’as wareegama qaalii akkanaatiin duula xumura gabrummaa kanarratti tarree duraa irratti hiriiranii jiran. Biyyeen ilmaan isaanii nyaattus, kaayyoon isaanii galma gahuu hin hanqattu, seenaanis isaan hin dagatu

The post ‪#‎OromoProtests‬ total of 43 people were reportedly killed in the historic Gara Multat region of East Hararge appeared first on Bilisummaa.

To mark the World Day Against Cyber Censorship, Edward Snowden talks to Amnesty about how governments are watching everything we do online, and why we must bring mass surveillance back under control.

Today, the government is granting itself the power to police every citizen’s private life. Every man, woman, child, boy, girl. It doesn’t matter who you are, how innocent or not innocent you are, they are watching everything you’re doing. They’re intercepting it, analyzing it and storing it for increasing periods of time.

If somebody who is programmed to see patterns of criminality looks at your data, they’re not going to find you – they’re going to find a criminal.

The fact that we’ve got agencies like the GCHQ looking through webcams into people’s bedrooms, into the four walls of their homes, is terrifying. The NSA is collecting billions of phone location records a day, so they know where you got on the bus, where you went to work, where you slept and what other cell phones slept with you. We have to ask: “Do we want to live in a society where we live totally naked in front of government, and they are totally opaque to us?”

Some people say: “If you’ve done nothing wrong, you’ve got nothing to hide from government spying”. But it’s not about having nothing to hide, it’s about being you. It’s about being friends with who you want to be friends with, without worrying about what it looks like on paper or inside some private record in some dark government vault. It’s about realizing there’s a reason we close the bathroom door. There’s a reason we don’t want the police to have a video camera so they can watch us sitting in the bubble bath.

You could be the most innocent person in the world, but if somebody who is programmed to see patterns of criminality looks at your data, they’re not going to find you – they’re going to find a criminal. Having been an analyst sitting at the desks and targeting people using surveillance, I know that the information that’s in data banks can lead people very easily to the wrong conclusion – particularly when the people who are looking at this data are looking for terrorists and criminals.

We could have the most responsible government in the world today but tomorrow there could be a change. And in times of conflict, when we face serious foreign adversaries and the threat of terrorism, it’s even more important that we protect our values. Because it is in times of panic that we lose rights. We don’t want our politicians to think: “I’m concerned that people will say I didn’t do enough, so instead I did too much.”

They know where you got on the bus, where you went to work, where you slept and what other cell phones slept with you.

Suddenly we have an algorithmic enforcement, investigation and prediction of criminal activity.What we’ll find is that, when we realize that the person to our left or right got arrested for some incredibly minor infraction of law, we are going to rigidly avoid anything that could be considered controversial. There will be no free speech.

Privacy is for the powerless. Transparency is for the powerful. You don’t need to say why you want to be left alone by the state. It is the natural state of being that we are allowed in a free society to be free. If they want to restrict and monitor our activities it really changes the nature of human society.

Amnesty International has joined with AdBlock on the World Day Against Cyber Censorship to raise awareness about the crackdown on free speech across the world. AdBlock is a tool that helps web users to block unwanted ads, and on 12 March 2016 it will replace banner ads with content censors in certain countries wouldn’t want people to see. 

The post Edward Snowden: ‘Privacy is for the powerless’ appeared first on Bilisummaa.

The post Oromo TV: #OromoProtests, Hojii Yeroon Gaaffattu – Nagessa Oddo Duubee appeared first on Bilisummaa.

Haasaan Abbaa Duulaa Gammadaa miseensota paarlaamaa Itoophiyaa kanneen Oromiyaa bakka bu’an waliin godhan gama lamaan laalama. Gara tokkoon dhugaa Oromoo dhaabni isaanitifi mootumummaa Wayyaanee umrii guutuu awwaaluuf hojjachaa ture as baasani dubbachuun ‘haqxi afaan qaban funyaaninxiixxi’ kan mirkaneessuudha. Oromoo lafti isaa bahaa dhihaa, kaabaa kibbaan saamamaa akka jiru, ilmaan Oromoo baratan akkuma jiruun hoji dhablummaan dararamaa akka jiranifi dhugaa biroo hedduu dubbatee jira. Dhugaan kun saba keenyarraa takkaa dhokatee hin beeku. Qondaalonni mootummaa badii kanaaf sababa tahan ragaa yoo bahan arguun garuu bu’aa injifannoo qabsoo bilisummaa Oromooti.Gama birootin haasaya tarkaanfii qabatamaa ta’een dabaalame waan hin ta’iniif amanamummaanifi faaydaan qabsoof qabu xiqqaadha.

The post ‪#‎OromoProtests‬ Haasayni Abbaa Duulaa, Dhugaa Oromootiif ragaa kan bahe ta’us gahaa miti appeared first on Bilisummaa.

Qabsoon bilisummaa tan arraantana xiqqaa fii guddaa lammii Oromiyaa fudhatte baroota afurtam dura haala kanaan faallaa keessa turte. Yaroon san, gaafa sirni gabrummaa Habashaa Oromummaa fii aadaa hooda lammii teenyaa awwaalee, hidda sirna bulchiinsa isaa hawaasa keenya keessatti akkaan jabeeffate. Haala san injifachuuf biyya keessaa fii alattiis qabsoo cimtuu tu godhame. Wareegamni kafalamees guddaa dha.

Oromummaa diinni awwaale qabrii keessaa baasuuf qabsoo baroota afurtam dura biyya alaa keessatti godhamte keessaa tan biyya Jabuutii-tti gaggeeffamte seenaa qabsoo bilisummaa ummata Oromiyaa keessatti qooda ol’aanaa qabdi. Jabuutiin, gaafasii fii arraas, biyya warri mootummaa Xoophiyaa bulchan gunaa adda-addaa tiin dantaa siyaasaa isaanii keessatti tiiyfatani. Kanarraan kan ka’e, gama Embaasii isaanii malees, karaa namoota mootummaa Jabuutii keessaa gunaan dhunfataniin, miidhaan namoota fedhii isaanii dura dhaabbatan irratti fidan guddoo. Nama barbaadan hamma biyyatti deebisiisuu takka aangoo qaban. Haala akkasii keessatti, Oromoonni fedhii diinaa tan gaafasii irratti fincilanii maalummaa isaanii ifatti beeysisuun hawwii jaraa hoongeessuurraatti bobbahan, akkuma Qabsaawota qabsoo bilisummaa ganamaatti, seena-qabeessota.

Haala armaa olii kanaan, Oromoota maalummaa isaanii tiif qabsoo godhaniin Oromummaa biyya Jabuutii keessatti utubuun, seenaa qabsoo bilisummaa ummata Oromiyaa tan biyya alaa keessatti galmeeffamuu qaban keessaa tokko Mahammad Husseeni. Mohammed Husseen abbaa isaa Husseen Alii fii haadha isaa Aashaa Imar irraa Baha Oromiyaa, Godinaa Humbannaa Aanaa Kombolchaa Araddaa Dirree Xayyaaraa Ganda Tuulaatti, Onkololeessa 05, bara 1952, dhalate.

Mohammad, barnoota amantii Islaamaa barachuuf xiqqeenyaan qe’eerraa sossoohee, odoo miila gandarraa fageessuu, bara 1971 keessa, haboo isaa waliin magaalaa Jabuutii seene. Haalli biyyaa isa fudhatee achumaan achi qubatee, lammii biyya isaa barbaadee waaheleeffate. Waahiloota kanaa waliin jam’aatummaan barcaaf odoo walitti yaa’anuu sab-boonummaan dhunfatamuu jalqabe. Bara 1973 irraa kaasee haasoyni barcaa gubbaa dhibdee Oromoo tii fii Oromummaan dhunfatamte. Akkaasiin, bara 1977, gaafa Jabuutiin gabrummaa Faransaayii jalaa bilisoomtu, isaaniis, dhiibba dooginyoo Habashaa kan maqaa waldaya hawaasa Xoophiyaa tiin dhaabbate jalaa if walabeessuun, maqaa Caayaa Oromoo tiin mootumma biratti if galmeessan.

Caayaan Oromoo magaalaa Jabuutii akka hin-jaaramne godhuurratti mootummaan Xoophiyaa heddu qabsooyte. Akkuma Wayyaanee ammaatti, Oromoota yaroo sanitti biyya Jabuutii keessa jiran dhibdee mudachuuf jiraataniin doorsisan. San malees, gunaan bittineessuuf ijibbaatan. Haala kanarraan kan ka’e, warri abuura Caayaa Oromoo magaalaa Jabuutiirratti miseensummaa isaanii ifatti beeysisan, nama kudha sadihi qofa turan. Isaan keessaa tokko Mahammad Husseeni. Kanneen hafan, Abuubakar Khaalos, Yuusuf Ibraahim Daawud, Hassanee Galmoo, Aadamee Yuusuf (Dhaga Affeel), Yaaqubee, Ibrahim Khaliilee, Ahmad Shaakh Usmaan Qawwee, Abdulmajiid Raaree, Muumee (Qaxii), Abdalla (Yaquulii), Bakharee fii Abdusalaam Yuusufi.

Gama biraa tiin, Mahammed, ogummaa makaanikummaa makiinaa tan akka biyya san seeneen barateen, jireenya achii tolfatee, bara 1976 keessa, Aadde Aminaa Yuusuf waliin bultii jaarratte. Baruma kana, lola Soomaalee fii mootummaa Xoophiyaa jiddutti dhalatee fii haala sossoohinsa qabsoo bilisummaa ummata Oromiyaarraa kan ka’e, Oromoota biyyarraa baqatanii Jabuutii seenuu jalqabaniif, Mahammad, haadha warraa waliin, Oromoota waan qabaniin lammii isaanii bira dhaabbatan keessaa tokko. Mohammadii fii Aaminaas, waan dandayaniin nama isaanii gargaaruu malees, Oromoota manaa fii mooraa isaanii baqattootaaf banan irraa tahan. Biyya oowwi isii azaaba adunyaarraa, tan bishaan xaasaan gurgurmu keessatti, nyaataa fii dhugaatii malees tin’isin hamilee kan sab isaanii tiif laatan sanmmuu baqqattoota fuul-durri dukkanaa meeqaantam sabachiise. Gargaarsa kanarratti dabaluun, Mahammad, qabsoo bilisummaa ummata Oromiyaa tiif, gama Caayaa tii fii dhunfaaniis qooda guddaa laate.  

Mahammad, bara 1984 keessa, jiruu if dura tarkaanfachiisuuf, warraa waliin, Jabuutiirraa Bahara Diimaa ceehee Sa’uudii seene. Akka achi dhaqeen, sab-boonota Riyaad keessatti maqaa Tokkummaa Hojjattoota Oromoota Riyaad, (THOR)-n, gurmaawan irraa tokko tahuun, qabsoo bilisummaa Oromoo gargaarutti seene. San malees, daawwii dammaqiinsaa tan dhaabni THOR miseensaa fii Oromoota iddoo biraa tiif qopheessaa turerraa qooda fudhachuun dirqama sab-boonummaa fiixa baasutti seene. Odoo haala saniin jiruu, Sa’uudii keessa turuu irraa hegereen itti mul’achuu diddee, bara 1986 keessa, warraa waliin, Xaaliyaan seene. Roomattiis, sab-boonota Jabuutii fii Riyaaditti waliin qabsaawaa turan waliin wal-arkatanii, Tokkummaa Oromoota Roomaa dhaabuun seenaa, aadaa fii qabsoo Oromoo gabbisutti seene.

Isaa san keessa ture, walakkaa bara 1978 hiree qubsuma biyya Kanadaa arkatee, warraa waliin, Torontoo seene. Guyyaa Torontoo seenerraa kaasee miseensa Tokkummaa Oromoo Ameerikaa Bitaa Damee Ontaariyoo tahuun, gumaacha qabsoo bilisummaa tiif godhaa ture, keessaa huu, tan aadaa Oromoo guddisuu fii agarsiisuu irratti if qusannaa malee bobbahutti seene. Faaruu fii weedduulee Mahammad dooyaarratti wallisaa turee keessaa kanneen armaa gadi warra yaroo hunda afaanii hin baane.

Ka’aa qeeyroon Dargaggoon biyyaa

Yaa humna warraaqsaa shamarran aayyaa

Qabsoof hidhadhaa yaa ilmaan biyyaa

Bahaa Dhihaa kaabaa kibbaa

Isin yaamtii biiyti abbaa

Yaa ilmaan koo nadhaqqabaa

Salphinarraa ol na qabaa

Haala armaa olii kanaan, Mahammad Husseen, sossooha qabsoo bilisummaa ummata Oromiyaa tan biyyoota alaa keessatti nama seena-qabeessa tahe. Seenaa wal’aansoo ganamaa tan ummanni keenya maalummaa isaanii beeysisuuf biyya Jabuutii, Sa’uudii, Xaaliyaanii fii Kanadaa keessatti godhaa turan irraa qooda fudhachuun gumaanni qabsoof laate himamtee hin dhumtu.

Mohammed qaama malees nama haalaa fii amalaan ulfaataa, sab-boonaa fii murataa dha.  Mahammad arjaa qabeenya isaa qabsoorraa if duuba hin kaayyatini. Mahammad nama obboleeyyan afur waliin dhalate. Garuu isaan biraa fagaatee nama Oromoota arku hunda obboleessaa fii obboleettii godhatee jaalalaa fii kabajaan nama waliin jiraachaa bahe. Duuba, dhibdee yaroo gabaadu keessatti isa mudditeen ji’a afran dabran rakkachaa bahee, warra lamadaa, Aadde Fooziyaa Mahaamed-rraa ilmaan reefu arkate, Obsan, Boonaa fii Boonsan waliin odoo taphatee hin quufin, bitooteessa 11, bara 2016, biyya Kanadaa magaalaa Kaalgarii keessatti boqote.

Rabbiin Jannatul-Furdoosiin isa haa qananiyu!

Oromiyaan bilisummaa isii hawwaafii bahe ni bilisoomti!

Bitooteessa 12, 2016

Abbaa Urjii

The post SEENAA GABAABDUU MAHAMMAD HUSSEEN (QONDAALA) 1952 – 2016 appeared first on Bilisummaa.