The current revival of Gadaa system, as advocated by OSA, the diaspora and online activists, in my view, aspires to fully reintegrating Gadaa system into functional political structure in Oromiyaa. Caffee or the Oromiyaa parliament consists elected members who promulgate policies and pass laws, and at times call to question the officials of the state. This is the only house in the state. Thus, although the system has some element of Gadaa democracy, it does not incorporate it in its constitution and embraces it in significantly unique way. It neither gives at least a nominal power to the Abbooti Gadaas to exercise in Oromiyaa as a unit. To fully integrate Gadaa system into political structure of Oromiyaa, one has to look elsewhere. For example, everyone knows about the two-house system of parliament in Britain. House of Commons is publicly elected chamber that debates important issues where the PM also presents his plans and defends his deeds. The house of Lord, on the other hand, consists appointed (by the queen), not elected, members who check the governments policies and strategies. It is part of the monarchy and it is independent of the house of commons. Gadaa revival is already successful in Tulama Oromos. The recently established Gadaa Council (Gumii Gadaa) also consists Abbaa Gadaas from Afran Qalloo (Ituufi Humbannaa), Arsii (Sikkoofi Mandoo) and Maccaa. Gadaa is already active and functional among the Gujii, Boorana, Karrayyuu and Gabra. Given there is robust works being undertaken, it is quite easy to imagine that its success if reintegrated to political structure of Oromiyaa would be both source of unity for the Oromo people and empowers an organisational capability to tackle the sporadic inter-tribe disputes and conflicts. So we demand the state of Oromiyaa to revise its constitution and follow two-house government where Caffee has the political power while Gumii Gadaa can take the model of House of Lords in Britain. An independent Gumii Gadaa has the power to (1) challenge the government and question policies and strategies (2), scrutinize their implementation, (3) recommend policy objectives, (4) enact laws related with culture, language and history of the Oromo people and (5) conduct investigations or stablish an independent enquiry commission in case of conflicts, high profile corruption and mismanagement.
Posted on: Wed, 10 Sep 2014 14:28:19 +0000
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