Haile Larebo, an associate professor of History at Morehouse College, draws criticism following his recent statements calling for extreme measures on Oromo leaders in Ethiopia.
Larebo, who has a history of making derogatory remarks against the Oromo people, also suggested that dividing the Oromos along religious lines could be a potential solution to Ethiopia’s ongoing challenges.
Larebo’s controversial statements were made during a virtual conference organized by Vision Ethiopia, a diaspora association that is predominantly composed of ethnic Amharas.
During the conference, the professor proposed a series of solutions, including the need to “correct” Ethiopia’s history and to take measures against “extremist” Oromo leaders in Ethiopia if necessary. Clarifying his statement, the professor mentioned that the measures he referred to can be legal measures, but also extended to the life and existence of those leaders.
“If the country can’t exist, no one can,” he added.
The professor also proposed that dividing the Oromos along religious lines could potentially serve as a solution to Ethiopia’s ongoing challenges.
In a PowerPoint presentation, the professor proposed creating an alliance with Oromos who love Ethiopia, the “Shawa Oromo,” fragmenting others along religious lines (Orthodox, Catholic, and Islamic affiliations), and isolating Protestant Oromos.
This is not the first time when the professor has made derogatory statements targeting the Oromo people. Back in 2017, during an interview with Ethiopian Satellite Television (ESAT), he made a series of similar derogatory statements against the Oromo people that sparked outrage among the Oromo community.