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Tuesday Oct. 27, 1992

Subject: BOOK COLUMN

Today, I am posting a letter written from Emperor Menelik to Abba Jiffar, the governor of Jimma.

LETTER (Page 32)

The Oromo that came to your administrative region from Jangero should not and must not be treated as a slave claiming owner-ship of their offsprings to sell them, exchange them, and mistreat them below human dignity.

The fact that their forefathers and themselves lived for so long with you should make them part of you, and you should not label them as slaves. Also, do not claim, and argue in public that they are your belongings. No human being is as such a slave. All of us are slaves to one God only. Just because one is destined to be a ruler, it does not give this person the right to be inhuman to others.

With the will of God, the Gondere's reside in Shoa with me after my return. If it is their will to go back, will I hinder them from doing so, or will I claim that they are my slaves?

As a matter of fact, people have the right to reside wherever they wish; if they want to move to Jangero or to some other place from your region, you must not stop them. If the people from Jangero choose to live in your region, the governor of Jangero should not and must not have any objection, and bar them from doing so. The poor should be free to live wherever they wish.

Yekatit 8, 1902 Eth. Calendar, written in Addis Ababa.

Ke'akbirot gar,

Theodros