The Oromo Federalist Congress (OFC) (Oromo: Koongiresii Federalawaa Oromoo, KFO; is a political party based in Ethiopia that was created in 2012 from the merger of the Oromo Federalist Democratic Movement and Oromo People's Congress.[1]
Oromo Federalist Congress | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Leader | |
| Chairperson | Merera Gudina |
| Founded | July 2012 |
| Preceded by | |
| Headquarters | Addis Ababa |
| Youth wing | Oromo Youth League |
| Ideology | |
| House of Peoples' Representatives | 11 / 547
|
| Website | |
| oromofederalist | |
Creation edit
In July 2012, Oromo Federalist Democratic Movement and Oromo People's Congress merged, creating the Oromo Federalist Congress.[2][1]
Leadership edit
Senior leaders of OFC in early 2020 included Merera Gudina and Bekele Gerba, both who had spent long periods as prisoners. Merera was chair, Bekele was deputy chair, and Desta Dinka was Youth League chair.[3]
Jawar Mohammed became a member of OFC on 28 December 2019.[4]
Electoral strategies edit
In preparation for the 2021 Ethiopian general election, that had been constitutionally scheduled for May 2020, OFC agreed to form an electoral coalition with Oromo Liberation Front (OLF)[3] and Oromo Nationalist Party (ONP) led by Kemal Gelchu.[4]
Policies edit
Tigray War edit
On 25 November 2021 during the TDF–OLA joint offensive of the Tigray War, OFC called for an inclusive transitional government to be created. OFC described the situation as "an avoidable war ... raging all over the country[,] consuming the lives of tens of thousands and bringing misery for tens of millions ... not limited to armed factions, but also [including] ordinary citizens with no real training for war or [who] have no knowledge of international rules of engagements in war [and who became] active actors of the horror." The OFC's proposal included an immediate ceasefire, the release of all political prisoners, and "a total repudiation of all incitements to violence and hate speech in all forms". The OFC called for the immediate creation of a 3–6 month interim government headed by a mutually accepted person, and the main goal of the interim government being to create an "all-inclusive transitional government that shall last for 18 months", followed by "free, fair and credible elections".[5]
References edit
- ^ a b "Bekele Gerba speaks!". Addis Standard. 16 May 2015. Archived from the original on 18 February 2021. Retrieved 18 February 2021.
- ^ "'Because I am Oromo' – Sweeping repression in the Oromia Region of Ethiopia" (PDF). Amnesty International. 21 October 2014. Archived (PDF) from the original on 20 February 2021. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
- ^ a b Shaban, Abdur Rahman Alfa (11 September 2018). "Major Oromia parties agree merger for Ethiopia's 2020 polls". Africanews. Archived from the original on 20 February 2021. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
- ^ a b Mumbere, Daniel (3 January 2020). "Ethiopia's opposition parties merge as election fever rises". Africanews. Archived from the original on 20 February 2021. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
- ^ "News: OFC calls for establishment of interim gov't; negotiation towards all-inclusive transitional gov't". Addis Standard. 25 November 2021. Archived from the original on 26 November 2021. Retrieved 26 November 2021.
External links edit
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