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The OPDO, which has full of commitment, ability and capacity, recognized the people as the moving force
in the fight against national oppression, exploitation and the overthrow that was imposed over them.
The protracted struggle of OPDO brought the total downfall of the dictatorial military junta or the
fascist derg regime in 1991. The event symbolized the end of the age long oppression and exploitation
which was regarded as extension of previous regimes. The shackles of oppression were broken off.
The certainty of the democracy questions, Ethiopia is home for mosaic of nations and nationalities.
However, because of the antagonism perpetuated by the ruling class the relation between some nations
and nationalities was filled with suspicion and hostility. OPDO underlined that every nation, nationalities
and peoples of Ethiopia has an unconditional right to self-determination. OPDO has also played a leading
role in guarantee of self-determination and self-administration. This has culminated in the building of the
system for the establishment and realization of regional administration in which people make decisions on
their own region.
The OPDO ensured the national and democratic rights of Oromo people and the oppressed nation and nationalities.
The full realization of democratic rights of the Oromo people to develop and use their language and culture for
education, official communication have been achieved. Thus, Oromo people as a nation has got the right to speak,
to write and develop its own language, to express, to develop and to promote its culture and to preserve its history.
Now Afan Oromo is the official language of the region, millions of children pursue Afan Oromo as their mother tongue.
Similarly Farmers, pastor lists and urban dwellers are learning the language through regular and
continuing education programs. Presently, Afan Oromo is the medium of instruction in primary schools and is taught
as a subject in secondary schools. It is even being taught in colleges as medium of instruction and is offered for
bachelor of Education
It is also offered as a subject mater in universities for first and second-degree level of education. The charter
and the constitution have guaranteed the Oromo people and others equal treatment with the right to administer themselves,
have active participation in their affairs. Therefore, Oromia came to age with its establishment and constitutional
recognition as a sovereign region.
OPDO ensured Oromo people enjoyed the fruits of their struggle especially with the creation of Oromia. Hence,
Oromo's ascertained their self-esteem in which the Oromo language, culture, tradition, literature and history started
to flourish. Further, the right to association and demonstration, freedom of religious worship, of expression, of
movement have got recognition and is being currently practiced.
On the whole, the recognition of these foundation stones for the right of the Oromo people is of paramount
Importance. It is evident that with these democratic rights, due respect is given to individual human rights
such that the democratic unity of the Oromo's with other nations and nationalities would be strengthened. Then,
people do directly and democratically participate in the democracy that now prevails.
OPDO ensured political empowerment of the Oromo people. The people of Ethiopia have gone through anguish under
tyrannical regimes. The imperial regime declares that the leaders are divinely chosen and appointed to rule over
the country. The fascist military junta or the derg, which came to power by taking advantage of the people, usurped
power and paraded as an agent with a historical mission and responsibility to govern and lead the country for better
future. But, it became more ruthless and
brutal than the imperial regime. Soon after its collapse in 1991 thought the unremitting robust struggle of the people,
the people ultimately won their right to political power.
OPDO has made certain that Oromo people are owners of political power under the democratic system that is now established.
Hence, the people elect those who could fulfill their needs, safeguard their interests, and speed up the democratization
and development process. Accordingly, the Oromo people have now assumed their rightful position to determine their own
destiny under federalism. As a consequence, they have ascertained the political power that they were denied by the
expansionist forces and dictators.
Unencumbered right to development, freedom of production with assured benefit was achieved. All the obstacles that
have retarded development are removed. One of these obstacles waste absence of democracy. Likewise, the rights of
individuals to own, administer and sell property was denied by the derg dictatorial regime. Lastly, the absence of
peace in the country and the coercive deployment of productive force in series of wars have discouraged and maimed
the engagement of the people in any meaningful development. Against this background, OPDO built strong stability,
peace and enabled the Oromo's and other nations, nationalities and peoples have through their struggle ascertained
the right to invest on land, labor, capital and intellect on development. There is now a plain and level field in the
implementation of the development agenda. The centralized economy of the derg is now replaced by free market economic
policy. More than ever before, the free market economy assures the people of being the sole beneficiaries of their
efforts. Today, the Oromo people have the right to sell their produce at any market with no restriction.
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