The Free Oromia Podcast

This week, your usual co-host Jaal Aangoo and return guest co-host Jaal Leelloo, are joined by  global governance scholar and former humanitarian worker, Denebo Wario, to discuss the emerging prospect of independence for Oromia from a human rights and international law perspective. Denebo shares illuminating insights about global trends in state formation, and explains why restoring sovereignty to Oromia is an indisputable question of fundamental human rights. Listen and let us know what you think at 430-755-0727 (voicemail or text), or reach us on our Instagram or Twitter @teamfreeOromia. Intro/outro song credit: "Rosamo" by Yasiin Bouba, OGE_R, and Adill Jamaal.

In today's episode, your hosts Jaal Maroo and Jaal Aangoo have the immense honor of being joined by Jaal Dr Baaroo Keno Dheressa, a medical doctor and a freedom fighter who served as a soldier in the Oromo Liberation Army. Jaal Baaroo shares his incredible life story, and gives profound insight into the reality of being active in combat with the OLA. The song played in this episode is "Reebii Loli" by Amin Hussen. Listen and let us know what you think at (+1) 430-755-0727 (voicemail or text), or reach us on our Instagram or Twitter @TeamFreeOromia. Intro/outro song credit: "Rosamo" by Yasiin Bouba, OGE_R, and Adill Jamaal.

In this week's special episode, we cover the major Oromo holiday Irreecha, also known as Irreessa or Dhibaayuu. We were honored to have Obbo Lubee Birru answer all of your questions about Irreecha. We also had the pleasure of being joined by returning guest Jaal Boonii. What did you learn from this episode? Share with a friend! May your Irreecha be full of hope, peace, and reconciliation. Listen and let us know what you think at (+1) 430-755-0727 (voicemail or text), or reach us on our Instagram or Twitter @TeamFreeOromia. Intro/outro song credit: "Rosamo" by Yasiin Bouba, OGE_R, and Adill Jamaal.

This episode is a special tribute to the life and legacy of Haacaaluu Hundeessaa. Join us in remembering and honoring Haacaaluu along with friends of the podcast including some of Haacaaluu's friends, colleagues, and fans. We hope you enjoy. Note that Haacaaluu's posthumous album "Maal Mallisaa" is out now on iTunes, Spotify, and Apple Music. Links are at freeoromia.org/podcast -- Listen and let us know what you think at 430-755-0727 (voicemail or text), or reach us on our Instagram or Twitter @teamfreeOromia. Intro/outro song credit: "Rosamo" by Yasiin Bouba, OGE_R, and Adill Jamaal.

In November 2022, the Oromo nation lost a legendary and iconic artist, Ali Birra. Throughout a career that spanned six decades, Ali Birra's music inspired, comforted, and brought joy to generations of Oromo people; both at home and abroad. This very special episode is the first part in a series dedicated to Ali Birra, in which we speak with Oromo people from across the world about Ali Birra’s legacy, and the impact he has had on the renaissance of Oromo music and culture, as well as the cultivation of Oromo nationhood and national pride. We had the privilege of speaking with renowned scholar and lifelong friend of Ali Birra, Professor Mohammed Hassen, who shared a detailed, contextual, and intimate story of his life. This rich account of Ali Birra’s journey is intertwined with some of his marvellous songs, which you can find listed below. Listen and let us know what you think, you can reach us on our Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook, @TeamFreeOromia.Intro/outro song - Nagatti Si JedhaSong 1 - Birraa Dha BariheSong 2 - Maal Ja'aniSong 3 - Awash (1973)Song 4 - Oromiyaa Biyya Abbaa KootiSong 5 - Afaan OromoSong 6 - Bareeda UumaaSong 7 - Falmi Mirga Keetif

This month, your hosts Jaal Leelloo and Jaal Aangoo are rejoined by special guest Jaal Raggaatuu to discuss the launch of the new media platform Oromia Worldwide, the recently published political manifesto of the Oromo Liberation Army, and the ongoing ethnic cleansing of Oromo people in the Wollo region. Jaal Raggaatuu shares her process of establishing Oromia Worldwide, and her thoughts on the themes within the OLF-OLA manifesto. Diaspora efforts to advocate for the people of Wollo, as well as the liberation struggle in general, are also discussed. Listen and let us know what you think, you can reach us on our Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook, @TeamFreeOromia. Visit olacommunique.com to read the OLF-OLA manifesto. Intro/outro song credit: "WBO Malee" by Sabboonaa Tafarraa.

In this episode, J/Aangoo and J/Leelloo are joined by Professor Milkessa Midega Gemechu, a former Ethiopian government official, to discuss the war that is being waged by the Ethiopian military and Fano militia forces in Oromia, and the barbaric atrocities that were recently committed against Oromo civilians. Professor Milkessa shares his insights on the motivations and intent of the current Ethiopian regime, and the response of domestic and international entities to the abominable crimes suffered by Oromo people. Listen and let us know what you think, you can reach us on our Instagram, Twitter or Facebook, @TeamFreeOromia. Intro/outro song credit: "Rosamo" by Yasiin Bouba, OGE_R, and Adill Jamaal.

In this month's episode, J/Aangoo and J/Leelloo are joined by an eminent figure in the history of the Oromo liberation struggle, Abbaa Caalaa Lataa, a  founding member of the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF), to discuss his recently published autobiography entitled “Abbaa Caalaa Lataa: Jireenya fi Qabsoo ABO”, which translates to “Abbaa Caalaa Lataa: My life and the struggle of the Oromo Liberation Front”. Abbaa Caalaa shares some eye-opening and grounding truths about the arduous journey of establishing the OLF, and gives perspective to how the Oromo nation has reached the current stage in the liberation struggle. He also shares his thoughts on the new generation of freedom fighters, as well as lessons that can be applied to charting the way forward. Listen and let us know what you think, you can reach us on our Instagram, Twitter or Facebook, @TeamFreeOromia. Visit oromiasupport.org for further information and reports on human rights abuses in Oromia. Intro/outro song credit: "Rosamo" by Yasiin Bouba, OGE_R, and Adill Jamaal. 

In this episode, your hosts Jaal Leelloo and Jaal Aangoo are joined again by Dr Trevor Trueman, director of the Oromia Support Group, to discuss the recent spate of massacres in Oromia, and how such atrocities are systematically used to propagate disingenuous narratives that serve anti-Oromo agendas. Dr Trueman describes the pattern of disinformation strategies that have been applied to numerous killings in Oromia, and explains how international institutions have come to possess an obfuscated view of human rights abuses in Ethiopia, which distorts their understanding of what would constitute real accountability and justice. Listen and let us know what you think, you can reach us on our Instagram, Twitter or Facebook, @TeamFreeOromia. Visit oromiasupport.org for further information and reports on human rights abuses in Oromia. Intro/outro song credit: "Rosamo" by Yasiin Bouba, OGE_R, and Adill Jamaal.

Today’s episode is dedicated to honoring and celebrating the life of Dr. Fido Taddesse Ebba, a beloved leader and freedom fighter, and a co-founder of the Oromo Liberation Front, who passed away on the 1st May 2022. We are joined by special guest Jaal Xaha Abdi, also a founding member of the Oromo Liberation Front, and close friend of Dr. Fido, to commemorate the illustrious life of one of Oromia's national heroes. Listen and let us know what you think, you can reach us on our Instagram, Twitter or Facebook, @TeamFreeOromia. Intro/outro song credit: "Rosamo" by Yasiin Bouba, OGE_R, and Adill Jamaal. 

Today, J/Aangoo and J/Leelloo are joined by entrepreneur extraordinaire Lamme Yousouf, founder and owner of the lifestyle brand OromoWear, to talk all about the brand, entrepreneurship, fashion as a form of resistance and expression of identity, and how a business like OromoWear fits into the Oromo national struggle for liberation. A spontaneous and exciting announcement is also shared! Listen and let us know what you think, you can reach us on our Instagram, Twitter or Facebook, @TeamFreeOromia. Intro/outro song credit: "Rosamo" by Yasiin Bouba, OGE_R, and Adill Jamaal. 

This week, your hosts Jaal Aangoo and Jaal Leelloo discuss the current escalation of war in Oromia, which is happening as a result of the recent declaration by the Ethiopian regime that they are on a mission to wipe out the Oromo Liberation Army in 30 days. April 15th is the annual commemoration of Oromo Martyrs Day, or Guyyaa Gootota Oromoo, and in honor of this day, OLA leaders have put out a call to the Oromo nation to strengthen their support for OLA, and to show up in the example of our heroes like never before. Listen in to hear the details of this message, directed at Oromo people at home and abroad.  Let us know what you think, you can reach us on our Instagram, Twitter or Facebook, @TeamFreeOromia. Intro/outro song credit: "Rosamo" by Yasiin Bouba, OGE_R, and Adill Jamaal.

In this episode, Jaal Aangoo and Jaal Leelloo are rejoined by Dr Awol Allo, to discuss what the invasion of Ukraine by Russia has taught us about how the international community, and  particularly the West, relates to and responds to resistance movements against imperialism and movements for democratization in different parts of the world, and how this impacts the international perspective on conflict, war, and humanitarian crises in Oromia and Ethiopia. Listen and let us know what you think, you can reach us on our Instagram, Twitter or Facebook, @TeamFreeOromia. Intro/outro song credit: "Rosamo" by Yasiin Bouba, OGE_R, and Adill Jamaal.

This week, your hosts Jaal Maroo and Jaal Aangoo are rejoined by Jaal Qaxalee, to discuss the overwhelming crises that are currently taking place across Oromia, and the worsening plight of Oromo refugees who are detained in Saudi Arabia.  Jaal Qaxalee explains the factors that are causing the suffering of Oromo people to intensify, both in Oromia and Saudi Arabia.  Listen and let us know what you think at (+1) 430-755-0727 (voicemail or text), or reach us on our Instagram or Twitter @TeamFreeOromia. Intro/outro song credit: "Rosamo" by Yasiin Bouba, OGE_R, and Adill Jamaal.

IJA OROMIA (meaning The Eye of Oromia) is an international organization focused onproviding in-depth reporting on human rights violations in the Oromia state of Ethiopia. In this episode we were joined by Omar, a team member from the organization, to discuss more about their operations and reporting. Listen and let us know what you think at (+1) 430-755-0727 (voicemail or text), or reach us on our Instagram or Twitter @TeamFreeOromia. Intro/outro song credit: "Rosamo" by Yasiin Bouba, OGE_R, and Adill Jamaal.

In today's episode, your hosts Jaal Maroo and Jaal Aangoo discuss the recent release of Oromo political prisoners belonging to the Oromo Federalist Congress (OFC) party leadership, after 18 months of wrongful imprisonment. We discuss the motivations behind the Ethiopian regime's sudden decision to release some prominent political prisoners while keeping others jailed, the official statement published by the OFC leaders after their release, and the possible implications  of these developments for the Oromo struggle.  Listen and let us know what you think at (+1) 430-755-0727 (voicemail or text), or reach us on our Instagram or Twitter @TeamFreeOromia. Intro/outro song credit: "Rosamo" by Yasiin Bouba, OGE_R, and Adill Jamaal.

In this episode, your usual cohosts Jaal Maroo & Jaal Aangoo get a head start on commemorating WBO Day/Guyyaa WBO, which will take place on Jan 1, 2022. We were fortunate to be joined by returning guest Jaal Meessaa and new guest (but long-time friend of the show) Kayo Beshir, who shared with us some of the important fundraising efforts they are working on. Listen and let us know what you think at 430-755-0727 (voicemail or text), or reach us on our Instagram or Twitter @teamfreeOromia. Intro/outro song credit: "Rosamo" by Yasiin Bouba, OGE_R, and Adill Jamaal.

This week, your usual co-hosts Jaal Maroo & Jaal Aangoo are joined by returning guest co-hosts Jaal Ilillii & Jaal Urgaa for a candid discussion on our current state of affairs and perceived gaps in our struggle. Listen and let us know what you think at 430-755-0727 (voicemail or text), or reach us on our Instagram or Twitter @teamfreeOromia. Intro/outro song credit: "Rosamo" by Yasiin Bouba, OGE_R, and Adill Jamaal.

In this episode, your hosts Jaal Maroo and Jaal Aangoo have the pleasure of being joined by the talented filmmaker Jessica Beshir, director of the exceptional documentary film, Faya Dayi. This is the first film predominantly in Afaan Oromo to showcase at the Sundance Film Festival, it has received numerous awards, and it is currently touring film festivals globally. Jessica explains the genesis of the film, and we discuss the intriguing themes that emerge from an authentic portrayal of the diverse community in and around the city of Harar. Listen and let us know what you think at (+1) 430-755-0727 (voicemail or text), or reach us on our Instagram or Twitter @TeamFreeOromia. Intro/outro song credit: "Rosamo" by Yasiin Bouba, OGE_R, and Adill Jamaal.

This week, your hosts Jaal Maroo and Jaal Aangoo  were rejoined by Jaal Raggaatuu, co-founder of Walaboomuu Coalition, to discuss the prospect and applicability of a referendum for Oromia’s political future, and what the implementation of a referendum might look like in Ethiopia’s tumultuous political context. Listen and let us know what you think at 430-755-0727 (voicemail or text), or reach us on our Instagram or Twitter @teamfreeOromia. Intro/outro song credit: "Rosamo" by Yasiin Bouba, OGE_R, and Adill Jamaal.