The Gazira Press

Got through the first chapter of the book. Very powerful writing and true stories related by veterans. The first chapter was written from the perspective of a martyred OLF soldier being carried on the back of his comrade and highschool sweetheart. She carried him to a nearby forest and refused to leave him behind despite the commanders orders. The story went through their time together in school, and some of their risky experiences in the bush. Such as one incident where he escaped certain death at a checkpoint outside of Dirre Dhawa while smuggling rebel supplies. Abbaa Urjii's descriptive writing makes you feel as though you're standing right there in the midday heat watching Raammiso's stomach churn as the soldier walks over to the vehicle to search his supplies. The chapter closes with commander Caalaa dragging Raammisoo's sweetheart away from his corpse and escaping before the enemies arrive and discover his body hidden under a tree. Raammisoo reflects "I s...

Photo of Mogadishu, Somalia - 1980's "I brought you a guest today" said Abba Yusuf as he entered and greeted my father. Abba Yusuf was the organizations envoy in Mogadishu for almost 20 years. He was practically raised by the organization and was in charge of all of it's dealings in the city. On this occasion he was hosting the OLF's Head of Political Affairs, Nadhi Gamada, who was in Mogadishu to officially open diplomatic relations with the Somali gov't. The meeting was brief and they agreed to meet again the next day for lunch. When Nadhi arrived in Mogadishu he was briefed by Somali National Security, who told him that he was free to move about in the city. But they placed undercover agents outside of his hotel to watch him. This was done so that they can identify and gather information on OLF members in Mogadishu (incase relations went bad and they needed to round them up in the future). However, Abba Yusuf came up with a clever plan and they were a...

Written on Feb 8th 2014 With the recent kidnapping of ONLF diplomats in Nairobi, my mind wandered back to the rendition of Tesfahun Chamada, and Mesfin Abebe, the killing of Jatani Ali, and the murder of one of the unsung heroes of the Oromo resistance, Abba Yusuf. Surprisingly I've never seen anything written about Abba Yusuf, the veteran OLF diplomat killed in Nairobi, Kenya in 1 999. So I would like to share what I have heard about him. Abba Yusuf, born Muhammad Amin, hails from the Jarso county of eastern Hararge. Like many young men following the Ethio-Somali war he sought refuge in Somalia. He joined the OLF where his talent was immediately recognized and his discipline and commitment helped him quickly rise through the ranks of the organization. While attending Gamal Abdelnasser School in Mogadishu as a full time student Abba Yusuf was entrusted as the organizations envoy in Mogadishu. He was remembered as charismatic and friendly, but also a skilled diplomat and politicia...

Callaa's Angriest Day "TPLF soldiers were combing the streets rounding up suspected OLF members and supporters after a fire fight. I had nowhere to go so I ran into a nearby house, took a marxoo and took a seat in the living room. An elderly woman walked into the living room and saw me. She said nothing. She knew who I was and that the soldiers outside would do anything to get their hands on me. When she left, some younger ladies came. They shouted at me "Get out! Get out! You wanna get us killed!?". I got up and left. With nowhere to go I went and sat on the pavement. I really didn't care if they caught me. I had never been so angry in my life. I was angry at myself. A short while later a voice over my shoulder shouted  "what are you doing out here? Get in!" the elderly lady from the house ran up to me, grabbed me and pulled me back into the house."

Dhuma bara 1875 kheeysatti bulchaan biyya Misraa, Khedive Ismaa’il Baashaan, mootummaa isaa gaanfaa Aafrikaa keeysatti gad dhaabuuf magaalaa Harar (ykn Adaree biyyoo) dhunfachuu karoorfate. Baatii Fulbaana kheeysatti waraana isaa kan Jeneraal Raa’uf Baashaadhaan hoogganamu, bahara Zeeylaa tiin seensisee gara Biyyoo Adareetti bobbaase. Zeeylaa fi Harar idduu fageenya amna guyyaa 10tu jira (guyyaa 8 gammoojjii Issa kheeysaa dabartee, guyyaa 2 biyya Noolee kheeysa deemaa oolta). Oromoon Afran Qalloo kan sirna Raabaa Doorii jalatti if bulchaa turan waraana Misraa ifirraa deebisuudhaaf qophii turan. Magaalaan Harar walakkaa biyya Afran Qallootti waan argamtuuf, humni guddaan kan waraana Misraa dura dhaabbatu waraana Afran Qalloo akka tahe qajeellootti hubatee ture Baashaan. Haa tahu ammo magaalaan Harar bulchiinsa walabaa kan Amir Muhammad Alii dhaan hoogganamu jala ture. Bulchiinsi Harar sirna Raabaa Doorii jala hin turre. Garuu bulchaan Harar, Amir Muhammad, bifa sadiini sirnich...

By Jilcha Hamid Sunrise brought calm and serenity over the village of Walensu and villagers woke up to the call of the roosters. The farmers washed up for the morning prayer, had breakfast and headed out to their fields for another day of work. It was another day in the village. Well...almost. “Do you have anything in your pockets?” Ararso asked a man laying on the floor mat. “..hin qabu” replied his guest, quietly. “Okay, hold this and come outside. You can't sit here by yourself.” The man reluctantly complied as he was handed a farmers tool. Although he was somewhat suspicious of his host, he had no choice but to comply. After all, he was a guest. As the farmers worked in the fields a column of soldiers entered the village and began questioning people about last night. Their base came under heavy fire and they believed that their attackers may have come from Walensu, or at least passed through the village. It was a common occurrence and the villagers had grown...