Oromia Region

Oromia ( Oromo: Oromia Region, Oromiya ኦሮሚያ Amharic ) is one of nine administrative regions of Ethiopia. The largest ethnic group are the titular nation and Oromo.

Oromia is area- and population by far the largest region of Ethiopia, and includes areas in the west, center and south of the country. The region was formed in 1991 from parts of the historical provinces Wollega, Illubabor, Shewa, Arsi, Sidamo and Bale Harerge. First, was the country's capital, Addis Ababa - called by the Oromo Finfinnee - also the capital of Oromia, in 2000 it became the independent city and explains Adama / Nazret to the new regional capital.

Population

According to the census of 2007, the Oromo with 87.83 % ( 23,708,767 ) are by far the largest ethnic group. Next largest groups are the 7,20 % ( 1,943,578 ) Amhara, Gurage 0.92% ( 248 100 ), 0.90% ( 242 529 ) Gedeo and 0.33 % ( 89 533 ) Somali.

Because of the different historical development of sub-groups and regions, the Oromo are now in various religions. In the former provinces of Shewa and Wollo, where the Oromo were in close contact with the Ethiopian empire, among them the Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity is widespread. In most other areas Oromo are mostly Muslims, especially in the south there are still next to parts of the traditional belief in a God Waaqa. Protestantism was widespread especially in the West in the former province Wollega by German missionaries. According to census are 47.5 % of the population of Oromia Muslims, 30.4% Ethiopian Orthodox Christians, 17.7 % Protestant, and 3.3 % followers of traditional religions.

12.3% live in urban areas, which is below the national average. The largest city is Adama / Nazret, other cities with over 20,000 inhabitants according to data of the Central Statistical Agency in 2005 Gimbi, Dembi Dolo, Shambu, Nekemte, Bedele, Metu, Jimma, agarose, Ambo, Holeta Genet, Sebeta, Waliso, Fiche, Walenchiti, Wenji Gefersa, Mojo, Debre Zeit, Meki, Zway, Arsi Negele, Shashemene, Asela, Asebe Teferi, Dodola, Ginir, robe, Goba, Kibre Mengist, Shakiso, gaunt Mariam, Negele Boran and Moyale.

2005 visit 42.7 % of children in Oromia ( 43.9 % of boys, 41.4 % girls ), a primary school, which is about the national average. 14.5 % (18% boys, 10.5 % girls ) attending a school to secondary school. 87.2 % of women were circumcised, 2.5 % were in the severe form ( infibulation ). 29.8 % of women reported that they endorse the continuation of the circumcision.

History

The region was formed after the revolution in 1991, when the new federal administrative divisions of Ethiopia, the historical provinces were dissolved and the largest ethnic groups were each given their own state. It was initially known as Region 4.

Not all Oromo territories were part of Oromia. Thus, the northern Oromo groups in the provinces of Tigray were ( the Rayya and Azabo ) and Wollo regions of Tigray and Amhara allocated. Parts of the province Wollega Benishangul - Gumuz were slammed, also had the benefit of the Somali, Oromia Region and the Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples Region waive some areas.

Still remained, particularly with the Somali region border disputes. In the border area, groups like the Gabbra, Garre, Jarso and Guura traditionally regarded both as Oromo as well as Somali. The claimed by both regions city of Harar, where Oromo make up the majority of the population, was for their own state with the Aderi as titular nation, which is also controversial Dire Dawa became an independent city.

Policy

The regional government, the Democratic organization of the Oromo people ( OPDO ), which belongs to the ruling coalition EPRDF since the establishment of Oromia. It had been founded in 1989 by the TPLF, who with her previous partner among the Oromo - was not satisfied - the separatist Oromo Liberation Front OLF. In 2000, the OPDO gave their consent to outsource the former regional capital Addis Ababa, Oromia and make Adama / Nazret the new capital.

In the elections for the regional parliament with 537 seats in 2005, the OPDO won 387 seats. 105 seats went to the Oromo People's Congress ( OPC / KUO ) from the opposition coalition UEDF that seeks greater federalization of Ethiopia and is anchored mainly on the Oromo. The other major opposition coalition CUD / Qinijit that was on the contrary again advocated more centralism and chosen by some Oromo and Amhara, Oromia in protest against the EPRDF, received 33 seats. The Oromo opposition party OFDM / WAFIDO won ten seats and the Geda system Advancement Party two.

The OLF remains committed to using force, but largely unsuccessful, for the independence of the Oromo of Ethiopia. The central government as well as the alliance with their regional government therefore sees any statements of Oromo culture, Oromo nationalism and political criticism as a potential threat. Oromo who support the independence movement or where this is alleged to be tracked.

Administrative Divisions

Oromia is divided as the other regions in administrative zones. These are further subdivided into 100 woredas, with the number of zones and woredas has changed through various Neueinteilungen. The Woredas are further divided into kebeles.

Below the Kebele level were god and garree as the next lower administrative levels introduced. Critics say this even finer administrative structure also serves to strengthen the control of the ruling OPDO / EPRDF over the population.

The zones are West Wellega ( mirab Wellega ), East Wellega ( Misrak Wellega ) Illubabor ( Illu Aba Bora ), Jimma, West Shewa ( mirab Shewa ), North Shewa ( Semen Shewa ), East Shewa ( Misrak Shewa ), Arsi ( Arssi ), Western Harerge ( mirab Harerge ), Eastern Harerge ( Misrak Harerge ), Bale and Borena; in documents from the Central Statistical Agency in 2007 further West Shewa, Guji, West Arsi, Kelem Welega, Horo Gudru as well as Special Zones Adama Jima and Burayu are listed.