O-Dispatch # 3 - Independence as a Negotiating Tool: When Demands Were Used for Leverage

By Bantii Qixxeessaa

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The pursuit of independence is often framed as an all-or-nothing proposition: either you achieve full statehood, or you fail. But history shows that maximalist demands - especially for independence - can be powerful tools of negotiation, even when they are not fully realized. These demands often generate leverage, shift political discourse, and force concessions that would never have been possible from moderate or ambiguous starting points. This article explores how movements that demanded independence, despite knowing it might not be immediately achievable or even desirable, secured significant political, cultural, and legal gains.

Here are some national struggles that gained significant rights because they demanded independence.

1.      Quebec (Canada): Leveraging Independence to Secure Cultural Sovereignty

The Quebec independence movement, led by the Parti Québécois and supported by mass mobilization, has held two referenda on sovereignty - in 1980 and 1995. Though both failed narrowly, the movement achieved substantial cultural, linguistic, and political gains.

Key Outcomes of the demand for independence in Quebec are:

●        The 1982 Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms enshrined language rights.

●        French was made the official language in Quebec and federal accommodations followed.

●        Quebec gained more autonomy in areas such as immigration and education.

●        Even though Canada remained united, the mere threat of separation reshaped the federation.

What lesson should Oromo political groups take from Quebec’s pursuit of independence? It is that a strong, well-organized independence movement compelled the Canadian federal government to recognize and institutionalize Quebec’s distinct identity. Without the referenda and assertive demands, these protections would likely never have been secured. By adopting a similarly strategic approach, Oromo political actors can help ensure that Oromia’s unique identity is safeguarded and never again subjected to the threats it faces today.

2.      Scotland (UK): Autonomy Gained Through Pro-Independence Pressure

The Scottish National Party (SNP) long advocated for full independence. A 2014 referendum, though unsuccessful, captured 45% support. Since then, the UK government has granted Scotland expanded devolution powers in response to rising nationalist sentiment.

What has Scotland achieved as a result?

●        Creation of the Scottish Parliament (1999) and expanded powers since.

●        Increased control over health, education, and taxation policy.

●        Scotland’s pro-EU stance post-Brexit has elevated its international voice. 

The key lesson for the Oromo liberation movement is that persistent demands for independence can reshape a state's internal structure. In the case of the UK, even without achieving full independence, Scotland emerged as a semi-autonomous political entity with meaningful policy authority - driven largely by the pressure of secession. Similarly, Oromia, as a regional state within Ethiopia, can strengthen its self-rule by consistently advancing the call for independence.

3.      Palestinian National Movement: From Maximalist Demand to Incremental Gains

The Palestinian national cause began with calls for the complete liberation of historic Palestine. Over decades, facing geopolitical realities and international pressure, the movement adapted its strategy but maintained its core demand: statehood and dignity.

What have Palestinians achieved as a result?

●        The Oslo Accords of 1993 led to the creation of the Palestinian Authority and limited self-governance in parts of the West Bank and Gaza.

●        The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) gained global diplomatic recognition.

●        Palestine achieved observer state status at the United Nations in 2012. 

What should the Oromo liberation movement learn from Palestine’s experience? While full independence remains out of reach, the PLO’s unwavering commitment to sovereignty secured incremental recognition, international support, and partial statehood. Had it relied solely on moderate demands, those efforts might have been ignored. Likewise, without a persistent and principled demand for independence, the Oromo struggle risks continued dismissal as merely an internal Ethiopian matter - an unfortunate label it already faces.

Why Maximalist Demands Matter

Movements that demand more than what is “pragmatically” possible often end up achieving more than movements that start with modest goals. Why?

●        They shift the baseline of negotiation. What is considered “reasonable” is always relative; bold demands reset expectations.

●        They energize the base. Movements need a moral cause and a bold vision to mobilize youth, diaspora, and supporters.

●        They create space for compromise. Ironically, demanding more can make it easier to achieve middle-ground outcomes on better terms.

Relevance to the Oromo Liberation Movement

The Oromo movement has too often refrained from boldly and publicly articulating its commitment to independence or even self-determination in front of the Ethiopian state and the international community, despite many leaders and fighters privately supporting these goals. This reluctance weakens its negotiating position and limits the scope of achievable outcomes.

By putting independence on the table:

●        The movement can frame structural autonomy as a concession, not a starting point.

●        It affirms the historical justice of the Oromo cause, even when tactically flexible.

●        It builds long-term leverage, keeping aspirations high and options open.

Ask Boldly, Win Strategically

While this author believes independence should be the goal for Oromia, it need not be viewed solely as an end in itself. It can also serve as a strategic tool - both for those who support full independence and for those who envision other outcomes. The most effective movements are those that make bold demands, negotiate wisely, and remain grounded in principle. Regardless of whether Oromia achieves statehood in the near term, firmly and unapologetically asserting the right to independence will strengthen the position of those shaping its future.

The moral of the story is that these movements show that demanding independence, even symbolically or strategically, can shift political landscapes, strengthen cultural identities, and secure legal reforms - even if actual secession is delayed or unrealized. The act of demanding more than is immediately achievable often creates the space to win what is otherwise unreachable through moderate appeals alone.

You don’t win by asking for what’s acceptable - you win by demanding what’s just.