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Oromo
Liberation Front Press Release
September 9, 2001
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Colonel
Alamu Qitessa
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It
was with deep sorrow and grief that we, the leadership,
members and sympathisers of Oromo Liberation Front,
heard the death of Oromo national hero Colonel Alamu
Qitessa. Even though it is a natural factor for any
human being to die, the death of our beloved hero Colonel
Alamu brought sorrow and grief on us. It is not only
the family, friends and relatives of Colonel Alamu that
are grieving but the whole Oromo nation. Hence, we extend
our heart-felt condolence to the family, relatives and
friends of Colonel Alamu and the leadership of Macha
and Tulama Self-help Association.
Even
if death is a common phenomenon that exists among human
beings, the death of certain individuals is very lacerating.
There are individuals, even if they die, who will be
remembered in history forever. The death of Colonel
Alamu Qitessa is undoubtedly of this type.
Colonel
Alamu was an Oromo national figure who contributed to
the history of Oromo people significantly. Macha and
Tulama Self-help Association is an Association that
was created during the Emperor Haile Sillasse’s rule
by conscious Oromo individuals that laid the bases of
Oromo people’s unity and ignited the first Oromo awareness.
Colonel Alamu was one of the founders of this Association
and later became the symbol and its sole leader until
his death. Because of his historical role in this Association,
Colonel Alamu was arrested, tortured and exiled from
his home area to another region for eight solid years
by the Haile Sillasse regime. Detention, harassment,
intimidation and political persecution did not deter
Colonel Alamu from his conviction and self-appointed
mission to liberate the Oromo people from oppression
and servitude. This unwavering dedication and determination
of Colonel Alamu will be a national exemplar.
The
death of Colonel Alamu Qitessa is a national loss to
the Oromo people. However, the Oromo people are very
proud to have such individuals in its society. Even
if we miss Colonel Alamu Qitessa, his deeds and spirit
will remain with us forever and give us guidance in
our future activities. We will up hold and further the
creed and banner that Colonel Alamu lived and worked
for and intensify the national liberation struggle of
our people until liberation and independence.
Once
again, we extend our heart-felt condolence to the family,
relatives and friends of Colonel Alamu Qitessa. Similarly,
we extend our condolence to the leadership and members
of the Macha Tulama Self-help Association. We are confidant
and hopeful that the Association leadership will continue
on the path of our national hero and develop and strengthen
it. We want to assure you that we are ready to pay any
sacrifice needed in assisting you carry out the responsibility
that you have inherited.
Victory
to the Oromo People!!
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