By Bantii Qixxeessaa
🎧 Listen to the Audio Version (5 minutes)
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Introduction: From Collaborator to Captive Ta'ayyea Dendea once stood among Ethiopia’s ruling elite. As State Minister for Peace under Abiy Ahmed’s Prosperity Party (PP), he operated from within the machinery that now hunts him. Today, he is imprisoned, persecuted by the very regime he served. His journey reflects a bitter truth familiar to many Oromos: in Ethiopia’s imperial system, even obedience offers no protection. Loyalty is transactional, and Oromo voices, whether cooperative or defiant, are silenced when they stop serving power. |
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This is not just Ta'ayyea’s story. It is a cautionary tale about how the regime manipulates Oromo figures, exploits internal divisions, and crushes all dissent, especially when it comes from within.
From Advocate to Agent of Repression
Ta'ayyea began his political life speaking for Oromo rights.
But rather than join the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) or support the Oromo
Liberation Army (OLA), he opted to work within the state’s so-called
“reformist” framework. In 2021, he became State Minister for Peace—a title
that masked a campaign of violent suppression.
During his tenure, Ta'ayyea helped implement policies that
targeted Oromo youth and activists. The government labeled the OLA a terrorist
organization, weaponizing this designation to justify sweeping crackdowns
across Oromia. Thousands were jailed. Protests were crushed. And the
state’s “peace” efforts became a cover for occupation.
Ta'ayyea, though silent in public, was instrumental in this
agenda. He enforced policies that criminalized Oromo identity and
resistance. In doing so, he became a tool of the very system Oromos have
fought for generations.
The Break: From Insider to Enemy
But in late 2023, the script flipped. Ta'ayyea broke ranks.
He questioned the government’s sincerity in peace negotiations with the OLA in
Tanzania. He denounced the suppression of opposition rallies. And on
social media, he accused Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed of “playing with human
blood.”
The regime responded with characteristic speed and
brutality. He was fired on December 11 and arrested the next day. The
state accused him of conspiring with the OLA, citing planted evidence, including
firearms and an OLA flag allegedly found in his home.
Released briefly on bail, the courts reversed course. On
June 2, 2025, just hours after charges were reinstated, he was
re-arrested. His fate now hangs in the balance.
What Ta'ayyea’s Fall Reveals
Ta'ayyea’s story should be a wake-up call for all
Oromos. Here are some of the lessons:
First, You Can’t Reform Colonial Power from Within. Ta'ayyea
tried to work inside a system built to dominate Oromos. His fall proves
what many already knew: the Prosperity Party tolerates no true reform, only
submission.
Secondly, Repression Has No Favorites. Ta'ayyea helped
criminalize Oromo resistance. Yet the very tools he wielded were turned against
him. Today it’s him. Tomorrow, it’s the next obedient Oromo who dares to
speak.
Thirdly, Division Is the Regime’s Weapon. Ta'ayyea’s past
antagonism toward the OLF and OLA reflects the fractures in Oromo politics. But
his imprisonment must unify, not divide. The regime targets all Oromo
nationalists, regardless of faction or former loyalty.
Last but not least, Speaking Truth Still Matters. Despite
his complicity, Ta'ayyea’s public break was courageous. He used his voice when
silence was safer. That act, however late, reclaims some dignity and
reminds us that resistance can begin at any point.
Conclusion: A Traitor or a Turned Ally?
Ta'ayyea Dendea’s story is tragic, but not unfamiliar. Too
many Oromos have learned too late that the Ethiopian state does not forgive
Oromo pride, whether it’s loud and defiant or quiet and hopeful. If
Ta'ayyea emerges from prison ready to stand for the people he once betrayed,
his experience can serve as a warning—and maybe a turning point.
In the Oromo struggle for freedom and dignity, there is room
for the redeemed—but no room for illusions. The road to liberation demands
unity, clarity, and the courage to speak, even when the cost is everything.
Thank you!
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