TBOA Press Release
July 15, 2000
Frankfurt am Main

The Union of Oromo Students in Europe successfully conducted its 27th annual congress held on 13th - 15th July, 2001 in Frankfurt/Main, Germany. The Congress was attended by members and delegates of the Union's branches in Belgium, The Czech Republic, Germany, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. The Congress also received solidarity and mandating messages from branches of the Union in Greece and Norway.

The 27th Congress of TBOA was preceded by a one day seminar on which scholarly papers were presented on the socio-politics of the Ethiopian empire in general and that of Oromia in particular. Scholarly papers addressed the continued human rights violations by the current authoritarian regime in Ethiopia, and the deep crisis the ruling autarchy is submerged in.

The congress deliberated in depth on the crisis within the Meles regime and analysed the possible senarios that would follow the inevitable collapse of the dictatorial rule of the TPLF/EPRDF. The Congress noted that the regime is practically defunct, and fears that unless the change is properly channelled, the state may sink into chaos or may be taken over by a fascistic military junta . The Congress finds equally apprehensive the possibility that the autocratic Meles regime may be made to continue with minor facelifting with the help of foreign powers, like the one currently being planned by the US. The Congress noted that whichever way the turn may take, it would be hostile to the right of peoples and nations to self-determination. The situation would worsen the already precarious human right situation and deepen the humanitarian disaster in the empire in general and in Oromia in particular. The congress fears that, Oromia would be the battleground, and Oromos would be the ones who would face the brunt of the consequences of the chaos or that of a military takeover.

The Union once again reiterated its stand for the inalienable right of the Oromo people to self- determination as enbodied in the constitution of the OLF. The Congress unanimously resolved that it would oppose any Oromo organisation that would take a political option not in line with this principle without prior consultation and consent of the Union. The Congress recognised that the current situation is very complex, and that it demands utmost care and ingenuity from our leaders, and unity and solid organisation from rank and file Oromo compatriots. The Congress concluded with a call upon all independent Oromo organisations worthy of the name to come together to forge a united stand and to consolidate unity of the Oromo people in the face of this hostile development targeting the Oromo nation as a whole.

The Congress also ratified few amendments to the Union's constitution.