Why Non-Oromo Officials Endorse the  “Oromumma Apartheid Regime” 

By Tewabe Debas 

Political Survival and Fear of Exclusion 

For many non-Oromo elites, loyalty to the Oromo-led regime is a matter of self-preservation. Ethiopia’s security apparatus has a long record of silencing dissent and eliminating disloyal figures. Dissenters risk being branded as “anti-federalist” or “anti-Oromo,” a label that often ends political careers. In this environment, silence and cooperation offer the only path to survival. 

Access to Power, Privilege, and Resources 

Government offices in Ethiopia are a gateway to influence and wealth. Those who align with the ruling order enjoy access to appointments, contracts, and protection for personal businesses. Non-Oromo officials who play along are rewarded with opportunities for advancement that would otherwise be denied. For many, loyalty to the regime outweighs loyalty to their own constituencies. 

The Legacy of Ethnic Federalism 

The ethnic federal system introduced in the 1990s entrenched identity as the foundation of politics. Many non-Oromo elites are products of this framework and have adapted to its realities. Backing Oromo dominance is viewed as the only workable formula under the current constitutional order. Breaking away would require dismantling the very system that sustains them—a step few are willing to risk. 

Weak Opposition and Lack of Alternatives 

Non-Oromo officials often see little hope in opposition movements, which remain fragmented, regionally confined, and heavily suppressed. Faced with weak alternatives, many choose to stay within the system. For them, participation in an unjust structure seems safer than isolation in a powerless opposition. 

Co-optation Through Ideology and Symbolism

The regime presents “Oromumma” as a project of equality and liberation from historic “Amhara dominance.” Some non-Oromo elites accept this narrative, while others adopt its language as a survival tactic. By echoing the ideology, they shield themselves from marginalization and secure a place in the ruling coalition. 

Divide-and-Rule Politics 

Oromo leaders have mastered divide-and-rule tactics to keep non-Oromo elites compliant. Rivalries between Amhara, Somali, Sidama, and others are deliberately fostered, preventing a united front. Token appointments are handed out to give the regime a façade of inclusivity. This leaves non-Oromo officials dependent on Oromo power-brokers for protection and status. 

Global and Regional Pressures 

International partners—from the African Union to Western donors—often prioritize stability over democratic reform in Ethiopia. Non-Oromo officials who oppose the Oromo-led system risk being branded as destabilizers. Staying loyal, therefore, ensures both domestic security and international legitimacy. 

Complicity Through Necessity and Choice 

Non-Oromo officials back the “Oromumma apartheid regime” out of fear, opportunism, and structural constraint. Their complicity does not always reflect true belief in Oromo supremacy—it reflects Ethiopia’s political reality, where survival often matters more than principle. 

But this strategy comes at a cost. By enabling ethnic domination, these officials risk deepening Ethiopia’s fractures, prolonging authoritarianism, and delaying the emergence of a truly inclusive order. 

Tewabe Debas is a political commentator and writer on Ethiopian affairs.

Editor’s Note : Views in the article do not necessarily reflect the views of borkena.com  

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