Letter to South African Government from Oromo residents in Ottawa

We, the Oromo residents of Ottawa, would like to express our deepest condolences on the passing away of Nelson Rolihlahal Mandela, a visionary leader and fellow Africa freedom fighter.

Madiba is not only a champion for human dignity and freedom, peace and reconciliation but also a global icon of unparalleled grace and compassion. He is remembered not only as a freedom fighter but also a beacon for perseverance, hope forgiveness.

We are grieving Madiba’s death; however, we are comforted by the fact he lived and departed as a hero and a great leader. Indeed, humanity is better off because of this universal message of love, peace, harmony, understanding, human rights and democracy.

As we grieve his death and celebrate his achievements, as Oromo we would like to note that there has been a unique connection between the Oromo of the Horn Africa and the people of South Africa in their unrelenting fight against discrimination, injustice and oppression. The Oromo people have always been supporters of the struggle of the people of South Africa against Apartheid. The Oromo have been and are still fighting against the injustices, discriminations and prejudices being perpetrated against them by the totalitarian Ethiopian Regime. Mandela’s struggle against discrimination and oppressed will inspire us to continue fighting for the rights of the Oromo People and other oppressed peoples around the world. Mandela was a prisoner of conscience, but he was a free man at last. Today, we wish freedom for the tens of thousands of Oromo Prisoners of conscience.

We would like to use this opportunity to note the role played by our Oromo hero GENERAL TADESSE BIRRU, in hosting and training Madiba while in Finfinne Oromia in 1962 as noted in Mandela’s “Long Walk for Freedom”. General Tads’ was one of the pioneers of Oromo struggle for freedom as was Madiba for South Africa. We are very glad Madiba was free man at last. General Tadesse was murdered by the Ethiopian government after languishing in prison under successive regimes; we are comforted and encouraged by Madiba’s success and have a great to learn from his experience and achievements.

As a sign of friendship between the Oromo of the Horn Africa and the people of south Africa and as expression of their mutual solidarity in the fight against injustice, we are presenting you the PHOTOGRAPH of our two pioneers, taken in 1962 in Finfinne Oromia prior to Madiba’s imprisonment.
As we mourn Madiba’s death and celebrate his achievements, our prayers go to the family of Nelson Mandela and to the people of South Africa. We wish peace and prosperity for the people of South Africa.