Jaal Battee Urgessaa, a political officer of the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF), was shot dead yesterday night at his hometown of Maqii, East Showa. Battee was back in his hometown from his residence in Finfinne to see his mother. He was staying in a hotel around a neighborhood referred to as NOC. He was then taken from his room by security forces during mid-night hours and executed point-blank. In the past few years, Mr. Battee was repeatedly arrested and imprisoned by PM Abiy`s government, and with direct orders of the infamous Koree Nageenyaa, most recently during an interview with a French journalist and deceptively charged with an attempt to incite violence in collaboration with the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) and Fanno. Security forces have been preventing the recovery of his body, and later inhibiting the conduct of further autopsy. They have also downed communication lines to the area.
The indefatigable Jaal Battee Urgessa was the epitome of defiance in the face of injustice. A champion of freedom whose unwavering courage and commitment to his people knew no bounds. Battee stood tall in the face of oppression, he fought tirelessly against chains of oppression daring to dream a future where every voice could be heard and every soul could flourish. In the face of power, he was the voice of the voiceless, champion of the marginalized, and a relentless advocate of the downtrodden. He believed in the inherent dignity of every human and dedicated his life to the pursuit of a just and equitable society for all.
But alas, his journey was cut short by the cruel hand of tyranny. This beacon of hope has been extinguished by the callous hands of dictatorship. In a cowardly act of brutality, he was taken from us, and silenced by those who feared the power of his convictions, and the strength of his character.
Yet his sprit lives on, a guiding light for all who dare to challenge the dark forces of oppression and injustice in Ethiopia. We honor his memory not with tears of sorrow, but with vows of solidarity as we continue to fight for the ideals he held dear.
The spirit of Jaal Batte Urgessaa remains eternally woven to the fabric of our nation´s history, inspiring his generation and generations yet unborn to rise up and carry forth the torch of liberty. Battee walked among us, the people, and embodied our aspirations, shared in our joys and sorrows; in our triumphs and tribulations. We will forever remember him by the heavy sacrifices he paid for us, by the lives he touched and the hearts he inspired.
Rest in power, comrade! Many similar budding dictators have tried to emasculate the Oromo nation by robbing its leadership, but to no avail. The cause for which you were treated to six bullets point-blank, lives on to see victory, and soon!
OLF-OLA High Command
April 10, 2024
