The Free Oromia Podcast

Ep. 60: Voice of a Nation - The Life of Ali Birra

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 Jedha Song 1 - Birraa Dha Barihe Song 2 - Maal Ja'ani Song 3 - Awash (1973) Song 4 - Oromiyaa Biyya Abbaa Kooti Song 5 - Afaan Oromo Song 6 - Bareeda Uumaa Song 7 - Falmi Mirga Keetif

Ep. 59: Oromia Worldwide, the OLF-OLA Manifesto, and Crisis in Wollo

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.

Ep. 58: War in Oromia

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.

Ep. 57: In Conversation with Abbaa Caalaa - The Founding & Struggle of the Oromo Liberation Front

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.

Ep. 56: Death & Disinformation - Ethiopian State Exploitation of Massacres

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.