Should Affaan Oromo be a national language in Ethiopia?

By Idris Shaankkore

Mar 7, 2006 — Some months ago, I offered my arguments and reasoning, on the subject, on one of the Oromo Discussion Forums. My greatest concern is this notion that Amarigna should remain the national language of Ethiopia in consideration for appeasing Oromos by making Affaan Oromo a “national language” as is being pandered by some. There are serious ramifications to Oromos and one need not conduct a study to understand the implications of unilaterally mandating and imposing one’s language and culture on others.

Until such time as a referendum is held by the Oromo to decide on the future relationship between Oromiya and Ethiopia. It is a priority for the Oromo to demand and implement Affaan Oromo/ Qubee and English (as an international language) as the only “official regional languages” in Oromiya. It is reasonable to allow Amarigna, to be utilized as a “working regional language,” in Oromiya under the limited circumstances, and for the reasons, which I have outlined below. The difference between “official” and “working” languages is that all Oromo state/public/chartered institutions will be obliged to exclusively use Affaan Oromo/Qubee (or English, to accommodate non-Oromo speakers and the exigencies of globalization and international transactions/interaction) whereas “working” language may be used by non-public institutions within Oromiya (eg private schools, private businesses, restaurants, etc.)

In addition, the rights of minorities, as set out in the provisions of the principles contained in the Charter of the UN, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief, and the Convention on the Rights of the Child, as well as other relevant international instruments that have been adopted at the universal or regional level and those concluded between individual States Members of the United Nations, would be fully respected.

To mandate and impose Amarigna to be used in Oromiya in any form (under the guise of a “national language”) by Oromo public institutions is an affront to Oromos and perpetuates the social, economic, cultural, and political dominance incident to colonization and past oppression and continued Amara superiority and advantage. Amarigna should only be permitted as a “working regional language” in Oromiya, only if the Amara Region reciprocates to allow Affaan Oromo/Qubee to be used as a “working regional language” in Amara Kilil. Beware of those who summarily advocate the use of Affaan Oromo and Amarigna as “national languages” under the pretext of “democratized Ethiopia” to maintain the deleterious status quo. Making Affaan Oromo and Amarigna “national languages” serves to perpetuate the present Amara supremacy in Oromiya in view of the percentage of Oromos who live in Amara Killil vs. the Amara who live in Oromiya. The implications of the proposal is self evident by observing the relative distribution of Amara and Tigre populations who live in all other regions (particularly in the urban areas of Ormomiya) compared to the number of non-Tigres and non-Amaras who live in Amara and Tigre regions and their urban areas.

In view of the relative populations of Oromos and Amaras in Ethiopia, either Affaan Oroma or Amarigna, complemented by English can serve, as the “working federal languages” for purposes of federal public and chartered institutions only. English must be mandatory and offered as an alternative for those who neither speak nor write in Affaan Oromo or Amarigna. Why should a Somali for example or a person from Gambella be compelled to conduct business with his Regional Government in Somali or Gambella, respectively, in a language he does not speak or write or obliged to learn Affaan Oromo or Amarigna to conduct business with his/her own “Federal Government”? Each Region, which elects to do so, should be permitted to establish and promote their “official regional languages” and the “working regional language” on the basis of reciprocity and mutual arrangement. Yes, I mean if I want to go an work for the municipality of Mekelle, I should learn to speak and write in Tigrigna or if I want to work in Somali Regional government, it is fair that I should be expected to learn Somali but if I choose to work for the Federal Court in Jijigga, I should only be required to speak/write either Affaan Oromo or Amarigna complemented by English.

Aside from the social, political and cultural implications, those who argue for the sustenance of Amarigna as a “national language” have the vested interest in maintaining monopoly over Oromo public and chartered institutions and to preserve the discriminatory staffing and insidious control of those institutions by Amaras and Tigres. Why should Oromo taxpayers give preference to Amarigna speakers in Oromiya to the detriment of Oromo who do not speak Amarigna particularly, since Amarigna is no longer taught in Oromo public schools. Why should Amarigna be required as part of the curriculum in Oromiya if the same requirement does not apply in Amara Region?

A cursory review of personnel in public positions in Oromiya as well as any of the other regions in Ethiopia reflects the disproportionately low number of positions held by Oromos. For example, an Amara who does not speak Affaan Oromo is eligible to be employed in Dhire Dhawa Administration while an Oromo who does not speak Amarigna is not eligible for employment in a public and chartered institution in his/er own land. Imagine the young Oromo girl who is denied a secretarial position in her own region by a bank or municipality because of her inability to write and read Amarigna. The same discriminatory tradition applies to most if not all of the positions in private institutions. Does any Ethiopian believe the municipality or a Bank in Mekelle will employ an Oromo who does not speak Tigrigna? Do you think that an Oromo who does not speak Amarigna is employable in public institutions in Gonder, or any other city in the present Ethiopia? In case you did not know, the answer is a resounding NO.

This objectionable and discriminatory manner is standard throughout Ethiopia. As a consequence, many of our young are disproportionately unemployed and for example those who have the means aspire to go into business and do not aspire to work as government employees – because to be a government employee you must speak Amarigna a reprehensible memento of Amara colonialism and feudalism. The prompt implementation of the proposed approach will reverse the present affront and give hope to our high school graduates, the majority of whom are unemployed because of lack of equivalent Amarigna language skill possessed by the likes of Birtukaan Midheksaa.

Again I caution those who seek compromise on the basis of making both Affaan Oromo and Amarigna “national languages” to reflect further on the far reaching implications for the Oromo. The Oromo position should be conceived after careful attention to the implications and I urge those Oromos who rant about “democratized Ethiopia” to contemplate further and not standardize this mode of thinking. It is my contention that Affaan Oromo and English should be the only “official regional languages” in Oromiya and Amarigna only allowed as a working language for non-public institutions if the Amara Killil reciprocates to extend the same rights and privileges to Oromos in Amara Kilil. As the majority, the Oromos should rightfully demand to add Affaan Oromo and Qubee as “federal working language” along with English for purposes of the Federal Government.

In short, each Region should be allowed to promote and establish their own language as the “official regional language” and whether, Amarigna, Somali, Sidama, Tigrigna, etc should be permitted for non-public institutions as “working regional languages” should be based upon principles of reciprocity and agreement. For purposes of the federal government, either Affan Oromo/Qubee or Amarigna complemented by English should be utilized as the “working federal language” not imposed as a “national language” on others, but purely to accommodate the major constituency in the nation and by making English a mandatory language, to oblige the exigencies of the modern age.

The concept of a “working regional language” at the regional level is important as an incentive for business to establish in Oromiya. For example a Bank which uses Amarigna for business may want to establish branches in Oromiya or vice versa. This notion allows the business to maintain their uniform system. Compelling such an enterprise to use Affaan oromo will be an undue burden and disincentive. While it could be argued that under UN Declarations, minorities have rights to use their own language (for whatever purpose including business) the Declaration does not mandate institutionalizing or integrating the language into the governmental system. Secondly, the Declaration does not apply to businesses.

This decision, I believe to be one of the most critical that faces the Oromos and the demand to make Affaan Oromo and English the only “official regional languages” in Oromiyaa should never be compromised as a bargaining chip to either appease Amaras or in consideration for superficial and consequential concessions. I am neither radical nor motivated by hate or anger but this matter, as far as I am concerned should not be negotiable but decided rationally and carefully. Personally, I do not write in Qubee nor is my Affaan Oromo fluent. I am however fluent in speaking, reading and writing Amarigna no less than any debtera from Gonder. Not withstanding, we must be guided by and apply what is in the best interests of the Oromos.

Oromiya
– Official Regional Language: Affaan Oromo and English
– Working Regional Language: based upon reciprocity

Federal Government
– Working Federal Language: Affaan Oromo or Amarigna and English (mandatory).

* Idris Shaankore, is an Oromo, based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. [email protected]