“Generally right from the start, I had informed the executive committee and all of them know in details that it was not something I agreed to. Because I believe the merger of this party is wrong and even if it was right it is not the time for it, I have made myself not to be a part to it. The reason I said it is wrong is , number one, the ODP leaders have promised to answer some of the big questions the Oromo people have entrusted us with. Our people gave us these question as leaders of the ODP and not to this nationally formed party. Doing this without answering these questions is wrong and it’s failing to deliver on the promises we made. So we have to first answer on the challenges they gave us.” Lemma Megersa

The map is Amhara dream. 2020 will be an interesting year. Apparently VOA Amharic refused to air Lemma's interview.

They steal taxes or short change projects funded by IC.

Despite his large following, it is easier to ignore Jawar Mohamed; however, it is difficult to ignore Lemma considering he is part of the machinery. Abiy lost the Jawar's youth and Lemma's OPD. He never had OLF and OLA. As usual SPD and Cagjar are in the wrong column.

Strange world and in Xamar, people are getting their houses every day! It seems these fiefdoms are set up so a few can rob the rest. If you think, are Somalis in Puntland and Somaliland and other lands economically or socially any better than let's 10 years ago?

Insha Allah!

Is there ever a positive article that celebrates the north which doesn't involve taking a dig at Xamar? I wonder if they teach Somali as subject?

I agree with you. I think they will. This gives the ONLF a chance to be THE Somali party. It looks like EPP might end to be a party without base.

If he had his way, this would never have taken place. Let's see what he does about other nations that will predictably demand statehood. Gurage and Wolayta will likely be the next two groups that will demand statehood.

A unfortunate reality and the curse of being Somali.

Muse and Deni are something else.

If I would have loved to disintegrate Soviet style least violence but I fear it might turn into Yugoslavia. It doesn't who runs it. Its all the same.

You really want them to come back

I gotta agree with Observer. These parties forming the new party have little home support. The only part that's intact is TPLF. ADP will be challenged by NAMA, OPD by Jawar/OLF and Caqjar is becoming irrelevant fast. The ONLF checkmated him by inviting some Amhara to the conference and they continue to maintain the idea of self-determination. If they are smart, they should reach out to other Somalis.

The man is showing Abiy has no base in Oromia. More importantly, he's pushing for Balkanization of Ethiopia. He worked hard to make sure the Sidama get their referendum which is on Wednesday.

Lighten up folks. You read too much into things.