The democratic power transition of the Oromo Gadaa System

 The democratic power transition of the Oromo Gadaa System

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The Oromo people occupy a vast geographical area in Ethiopia, the home of the ancient Cushites, and the largest population in the country.

1.1. Gada System

The Gada system is an ingenious political, social, and socio-economic management system that has played a significant role in the long-term organization of the Oromo people, and it is difficult to give a unambiguous definition of the meaning or meaning of the system, according to various historians and cultural scholars. These same scholars explain that the art of governing the Gada system is a vast and complex system involving many institutions.

Although these scholars do not give a definitive definition, it does explain that the system is as complex as any system of government, with a long life span that is closely linked to the overall life and development of the Oromo people. In addition, according to the historical and cultural research documents, the Gada system is an independent system of the people.

It is a system that divides the people into five political parties and organizes them into age groups and establishes political, economic and social institutions.

In addition, the system is an ancient, equitable, democratic and participatory system in which the people and the country are governed by an ancient, equitable system that has never before been weakened by the history of the Oromo people, the spread of religion and the history of oppressors. In order to have a system of government in particular (legislature, legislator, interpreter and executive), the Gada system is called Legislative or “Chafe Oromo” Legal Interpreter “Abba Sera” and Executive “Abba Alenga” and “Abba Boku”. There are elements in the organization, and it can be understood that these structures have been part of the Oromo Gada leadership since time immemorial.

The Gada system is comprised of all five Oromo political parties, and the names of the parties vary according to the location of the Oromo settlement, but all Oromo tribes operate under the same law. In addition, the organization of political leaders is very complex and receives orders from a single center, and unrelated political groups work together for a common purpose. Therefore, from the point of view of scholars, we understand that in this complex system of government, a large community has a wide range of political institutions, individuals and individuals who are politically competent and capable.

The Gada system has always been based on the principle of participatory democracy, especially in the area of democratic transition.

Gada system age stage organization

Name of Gada Steps ………………… Age Stage —————– Work Role

1. Game …………………… 0 – 8 years ————— Heroic song practice and game

2. Debbelle ———— 8 – 16 ————— Block the hero song and the calves

3. Kusa (Folle) ————- 16 – 24 ————— Practicing Obedience and Warrior Experience for Fathers

4. Raba (Kondala) ——— 24 – 32 ————— Serving as an army

5. Dori ————- 32 – 40 ————– Learning the philosophy of management education

6. Luba (Gada) ————- 40 – 48 years ————- He is the head of state

7. Yuba ————– 49 – 72 years ———–

8. Gedamoji —————- 73 – 80 years ————

9. Jarsa —————– 81 – 88 years ————-

After Yuba or Gada, he serves as an advisor to the Gada leaders, from Yuba, who is in the 1st to 4th levels, to the elders. At this age stage, the system is only 8 (eight) years old at each age level

It requires stay, and staying longer is a violation of customary law, and is subject to legal action. It is also a process in which the political sector divides into five divisions, at the age of attaining political power, and the process by which a person assumes the social and political responsibilities that he or she should perform every eight years, from the age of birth to the age of 88 (eighty-eight).

The five parties will each return to power every 40 years, and according to the Gedi government structure, Abba Gedi will be replaced every eight years by the parties. Accordingly, the Gedi parties come to power every eight years and accept the administration and peacefully hand over the administration to the next party. One party will return to power after 40 years, not by that generation, but by that generation.

It is said that Gada’s political organization is participatory and will enable all Oromo people to participate in politics freely and transparently at all levels, from Game to the 88th year of the Jarsa. Women also participate with their brothers before they get married, but after marriage they become part of their husband’s political party.

In general, as we understand from this system of democratic transitions and the opinions of scholars who have studied various fields in this field, the system is still in its infancy, a manifestation of the ancient African political system and is currently a hotbed of power in many parts of the world. It can serve as an example of democracy for people to live in dignity and tolerance, and for a group to be willing to put pressure on each other.

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