London Oromia Conference for National Consensus
14-16 October 2016
The ongoing Oromo protest has shown the existence of unprecedented popular need of change for democracy, justice and freedom. Now it seems to have reached a critical point. Despite partial and unclear admissions by government officials as to the legitimacy of the demand of the people no significant policy change has taken place. Yet, the protest continues to expand.
In this stand off between government security forces and peaceful mass protest, hundreds of peaceful protesters have been killed by security forces. Tens of thousands are reported to have been locked up in different prisons, concentration camps and unknown places. Large numbers are shot dead even in high security prisons. Such actions not only prove the prevalence of repression but also seems to have set the Oromo protest alive and going. This Oromo protest has now attracted other oppressed people to begin collaborating. It also caught the attention of the international community. This popular protest is becoming serious and is growing into a solid yet peaceful resistance. In short, it has brought the current ruling party near collapse.
Oromo people from all walks of life took part in this movement and are eager to see a better future at the end of it.
Cognizant of the success of this movement and the precarious scenario it poses to the incumbent; and with anticipation of potential indeed sudden collapse of the government; and therefore with a view to create a platform for robust discussion, IOLA have organized a two-day Conference. On this conference Oromo people, political and civic society organizations, Oromo historians and other elites (academics/scholars/speakers) are invited to discuss issues of common concern. The following points will be the main focus of the conference.
1. Positive lessons learned from the ongoing protest,
2. New ideas on what has to be done to ensure a positive ending to the movement and maintain the unity of the people in the process.
3. What preparation has been or should be made by Oromo political organizations in anticipation of further crisis including a sudden collapse of the regime.
4. What lesson can the Oromo people learn from history to build national consensus including the current ensuing crisis.
Leaders of Oromo political organizations and activists, Oromo intellectuals, Oromo Community and civic society organizations are invited to take part.
Individuals interested to present papers at the Conference should send abstracts of their presentation (including a brief biography) of no more than 150 to ebiola@googlegroups.comwords to by 30th September 2016 to IOLA.