The Free Oromia Podcast

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

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.

It's Black History Month in the USA, and in this episode, we want to honor and recognize Black activism globally, particularly the African American civil rights movement. For this occasion, we are joined by special guest Professor Asafa Jalata, who authored the book “Fighting Against the Injustice of the State and Globalization: Comparing the African American and Oromo Movements". We discuss the origins and meaning of Black History Month,  and Professor Asafa shares his insightful knowledge on the quests of the African American and Oromo  movements to dismantle colonialism, slavery and racial/ethno-national hierarchies, and the relationship between these movements. 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.