Borana Zone NorthK-SouthE

30/09/2026

Borana

21/09/2026

When a former Kenyan president tells the world that democracy was not born in the West, but that the West learned or borrowed from older African systems such as the Borana Gadaa, he touches a history too often forgotten.

Gadaa was not a seed planted by Europe on African soil; it was a tree that had already grown deep roots in Borana society.

Long before modern parliaments became symbols of democracy, Borana communities had systems of consultation, accountability, participation, rotational leadership and peaceful transfer of power.

The lesson is simple: Africa did not merely receive democracy; Africa also produced traditions of democratic governance.
As the proverb teaches, “A river does not begin where strangers first see it; its source may be hidden deep in the mountains.” Likewise, the history of democracy did not begin when the West gave it a name.

Gadaa reminds the world that Borana wisdom had its own political language long before colonial history wrote Africa into the margins.

11/09/2026

BORANA SON, Your music hath touched the deepest heart and stirred the noblest soul. Your melodies shall live beyond your time—engraved forever in the minds of generations thou hast inspire.
Jarra Gollisa Roba

Sirba khana kheessatti akka namii waan durii bira dabre itti gadi d...

10/09/2026

Our land should first revert back and other issues to follow.

Let all Borana living son and daughter have intelligently crafted what was suppose to be said now and going ahead even as Ethiopia is shaping up from shackles of dictatorship and misrule of many decades .

The Borana undoubtedly paid ultimate price individually and collectively not to mention huge chunk of land we lost as we can correctly mentioned our gallant sons lost in this struggle were so many to be mentioned by names, families disenfranchised by killings of their bread winners are uncountable to be precise.

The mentioning of some spectacular minds in the names of OLF though death having taken them from us their name and legacies has been inherited and carried on from generations, the late lawyer Hussein Sora Agole who was murdered while trying to unravel that of Jattani are but some key highlites that must be carried on for the purpose of not only recognition in the archives and annals of history but also some conferment of some posthumous of sort and may be compensation for the family is an issue Borana Oromo leadership should consider with Ethiopian authorities if at all Ethiopia may do that for other independence heroes of this struggle.

Some monumental structure with the names of our heroins and heroes wall or corner also should be considered going ahead along Kenya Ethiopia border where we lost many of our sons in cold blood murder. Even in the many Oromo liberation songs SOLOLO has always been conspicuous although many don't know how many chiefs and ordinary Borans were killed, some burnt wholesale with their families while asleep at the weer hours of night.

*Gadha system* should be considered in the Oromia curriculum of education since its recognition by UNESCO is good enough to emphasize it's relevance and importance remember currently south Africa has adopted Kiswahili into their curriculum alongside Afrikkana language of its own natives.

We have lost many genius son of this community like Jantani Ali, name all , who was murdered in Nairobi in broad daylight in June 1992 when OLF was still in transitional government.

*Many people never ask why kills Jatani Ali in Kenya when they could kill all the OLF leadership in Finefine.*

The murder was orchestrated through the intelligence supplied by outside source not worth for email correspondence nonetheless coordinated effort. The biggest achievement for planned murder of Jantani Ali is to deprived Booraaana Oromo , a leadership that will galvanize support for OLF.

Regardless of the ex[pansive effort of TPLF to deprive Borana the strong leadership, the unwavering support for OLF and emancipation of Oromo continued to this day.

Coming back to our important point, for Oromo Boran to move forward to and redress the injustice is to remove the region five occupations of the Oromo region in Borana for lasting peace and launch an investigation to the murder of the thousands and missing Oromo Borana men and women including The Father of Our nation HIS EXCELLENCENCY ABBA GADAA JALDESA LIBAN in Nairobi.

Let's keep the pressure on the emancipation of Oromia and pursuit of justice to families who lost the loved one while keeping up with the nation building, working on development priorities to bring the region's economic emancipation

regards.

Ashane Jaldesa Jr.

09/09/2026

A MUST READ ARTICLE.

THE GREAT SACRIFICE BY BORANA IN THE OROMO LIBERATION STRUGGLE

1). The political emancipation of Oromo and the ignominious defeat of Tigrey/TPLF and their affiliates in Ethiopia is a culmination of many years struggle and sacrifice. Tens of thousands paid the ultimate sacrifice while many others were arrested, maimed or displaced throughout Oromia. All Oromo groups contributed to the triumph over Tigrean oppressors. In particular, the Boranas of Southern Ethiopia and Northern Kenya contributed significantly to this struggle. This post is a reflection on the contribution of Borana in the Oromo national liberation struggle and briefly provide inside story that has not been in public domain. This is for the benefit of members on this forum and for the sake of history.

2. Tigrey sunset days was characterised by politically instigated ethnic clashes and massacre of Oromos in Nagelle, Udat, Borbor, Moyale, Bale, Hararge. Consequently, over one million oromos, among them thousands of Boranas, were displaced. Loses from similar sporadic ethnic clashes where the Tigrey government openly took the side of our opponents cannot be quantified but our victory was always assured.

3). The Oromo diaspora who fled repression internationalised the Oromo struggle through massive demonstrations in various countries. In particular, the Oromo Olympian Lelissa Fayissa became an international icon of Oromo liberation movement. Fayyissa Lelissa is an unsung hero who catapulted the Oromo struggle to global arena with a simple symbolic sign of Oromo resistance as he approached the finishing line receiving double victory. The Oromo musicians kept the fire burning during the high and low moments of the struggle. Oromo professionals changed the toxic narrative of TPLF and provided guidance. Oromo religious leaders were steadfast in prayers. We cannot complete this diaspora paragraph without devoting a space to our brother business man Jawar Mohamed and Oromia Media Network who provided visibility and galvanised the struggle through strategic communication. We all need to emulate a virtue of sacrificing for the community without being motivated by selfish and highly personal political interests. Thank you our heroes and heroines for the spirit of teamwork.

3). The dramatic arrest of OLF Chairman Daud Ibsa and proposal to repatriate him to Ethiopia was a serious challenge. His subsequent release by Borana individuals of goodwill will forever be part of enduring legacy of the Oromo liberation. The release of Dawud Ibsa was secured at great risk to the Borana individuals involved given his tag of High Status Value (HSV).

4). Borana took a leap of faith and provided the much needed gravitas to the Oromo emancipation from yoke of tyranny and slavery. The stride taken by Borana registered indelible mark that will linger into eternity. Borana people, leadership, institutions and individuals of goodwill sacrificed with their blood, life, properties. The community was pressed between a rock and a hard place.

5). Borana rejected TPLF adventurism in favour of the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF). Consequently for 27 years, Borana endured state-sponsored terrorism (recently admited by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in Ethiopian Parliament). What happened in Borana areas and beyond were monumental and have left a scar on all Borana leaders, individuals and the institutions. Everyone suffered especially our kiths and kins at the frontline both in Ethiopia and Moyale, Sololo, Waso, Marsabit and Isiolo belt. Thank you the great people of Sololo, Moyale, Saku, Waso, Southern Ethiopia and diaspora at large.

6). Consequently, the TPLF regime and their surrogates planned to disempower Borana in all dimensions including politics, economy, culture and security. The TPLF regime punished Borana by slicing their land especially the Wayama belt and grafted it to Region 5. It was a tactics of creating protracted and perpetual war in Southern Ethiopia. The loses cannot be quantified.

7). Borana took this great sacrifice out of their fervent desire to uphold and protect the overarching interests and heritage of the Oromo people.

8). It is worth emphasising that Borana people, leadership and individuals of goodwill contributed greatly to the Oromo struggle. Those at the frontier acted in unison in supporting the struggle providing critical resources, advice and prayers. Hon. Mohamed Galgalo, received the initial pressure and put on the radar by the TPLF regime. When the struggle and it's challenges gathered pace in post 1997, the late Hon. Abdi Tari and Dr. Guracha Galgalo strived to overcome the negative narratives perpetrated in the corridors of government offices questioning their loyalty and that of Borana as a whole. Many of our compatriots were intimidated through cheap lies and innuendos. Our leaders and masses remained steadfast, thereby enabling the victory we are celebrating today. Thank you our people.

9). Borana leaders, elders and individuals of goodwill provided public diplomacy for the Oromo national liberation struggle. An issue that has not been in public domain is the meeting between Gen. Mohamed Farah Aideed and Borana leadership organised by the late Adv. Hussein Sora and waso leaders. Gen Aideed who was on an official visit met elders from Moyale, Sololo, Marsabit and Isiolo. It was a cordial meeting where elders requested Gen Aideed to support OLF. Gen Aideed and later Hussein Aideed established the rear bases for OLF in central and lower shabelle in Somalia. These bases were the target of Ethiopian invasion in Somalia in December 2006.

10). The goodwill of former President Daniel Arap Moi is unforgettable. It was recently highlighted at a thanks giving session. President Moi took unprecedented steps to reshape the Oromo struggle ( to be in public domain very soon). This was inspite of the diplomatic offensive by the TPLF regime to spoil the budding relations between Kenya and the Oromo people. Infact, the reigning Oromo leadership in Ethiopia and the OLF in particular should pay homage to President Moi to thank him for the crucial facilitation and moral support he provided.

11). The take home message is that Boranas have been at the helm of Oromo national liberation struggle. The next step is now to join their compatriots to consolidate the struggle by seeking comprehensive redress to resolve the injustices manufactured by TPLF, especially the territorial disputes of Wayama belt that was sliced off from their land by the TPLF regime. This will resolve the perennial conflict in that zone and sustain peace building between Oromia and Region 5. The resolution of Borana grievances should be led and owned by a Commitee of Ethiopian Borana with tacit support of Kenyan Borana
Cc Jarso Gollisa Roba
Jarso Jaldessa Jarso
Guyo Wariyo Aba-Jirma
Guyo Doyo Guyo
Jato BG Shalom
Jatani A. Huka
Ashane Jaldesa Jr.

08/09/2026

Hon. Dido Raso Visits Borana Zone to Condole with Family of Late 69th Aba Gadaa, Conveys President Ruto’s KSh 1 Million Contribution

ARERO, BORANA ZONE, ETHIOPIA — Hon. Col. (Rtd) Dido Ali Raso has arrived in Arero District, East Borana Zone of Ethiopia, to convey condolences to the family, relatives and community of the late Aba Gada Liban Jaldesa, the 69th Aba Gadaa of the Borana.

The visit has brought together traditional leaders, elders and community representatives at a time of mourning for the Borana community, following the passing of the respected traditional leader.

Engagement with Borana Traditional Leaders

During his first day in Borana Zone, Hon. Raso held discussions with the current Aba Gada of the Borana, alongside elders and community representatives.

The discussions focused on the broader situation of the Borana community, including the challenges affecting the people, their priorities, concerns and aspirations. The engagements also provided an opportunity for community leaders to share their perspectives and discuss constructive approaches to addressing issues affecting the Borana people.

Hon. Raso reaffirmed his commitment to standing with the Borana community and supporting efforts aimed at addressing the challenges facing the people while promoting unity, dialogue and constructive engagement.

Second Day of Engagements

On the second day of his visit, Hon. Raso continued his engagements with elders and community representatives in Borana Zone.

The meetings provided an opportunity for further consultation with community leaders and reinforced the importance of continued dialogue and cooperation in responding to the community's needs and priorities.

President Ruto Sends Condolences and KSh 1 Million

During the condolence visit, Hon. Col. (Rtd) Dido Raso also conveyed the goodwill and condolences of President William Ruto to the bereaved family and the wider Borana community.

On behalf of President Ruto, Hon. Raso presented a KSh 1 million condolence contribution to the family of the late Aba Gada Liban Jaldesa.

The contribution was received by the late traditional leader's first-born son and his brother, who expressed their appreciation to President Ruto and Hon. Raso for the gesture of solidarity and support during the difficult period of mourning.

The visit underscores the importance of solidarity and continued engagement with communities during moments of loss, while also providing an opportunity for leaders to listen to community concerns and discuss their aspirations.

The late Aba Gada Liban Jaldesa, the 69th Aba Gadaa of the Borana, is being mourned by family, relatives, elders and members of the wider Borana community, with his passing marking a significant moment for the Borana traditional leadership and community.

05/09/2026

My flag, My pride, My identity!
This is more than a flag — it is the heartbeat of a people, the symbol of our struggle, the symbol of Gadda Democracy and the embodiment of our unbreakable spirit. Each color, Each picture tells a story: of courage in the face of adversity, of hope that refuses to fade, and of a community determined to rise.

No force on earth can stop a community once it awakens.

Our dreams, our sacrifices, and our unity will carry this pride to every corner of Oromia. Very soon, these colors will fly high, visible to all — a declaration of democracy, freedom, pride, and resilience. ✊🏾🔥