Berhanu Fida & Family
schrieb am 8. Juni 2026 um 11.53 Uhr
In Loving Memory of Wolde Hunde Huriso
N o v e m b e r 2 4, 1 9 4 4 – M a y 1 4, 2 0 2 6
As his family member, son, brother and friend, as he himself would call me
when speaking to his many friends and companions around the world. This loss is deeply personal and difficult to put into words.
Whether in moments of hardship or hope, sorrow or joy, Wolde remained a source of wisdom, strength, dignity, and encouragement to so many people across the world. His presence connected people, inspired communities, and gave hope to those who believed in justice, freedom, humanity, and Bilisummaa.
The pain of his loss is profound, but equally great is the gratitude for having known him, learned from him, and accompanied him on parts of his remarkable journey.
Though the sorrow we feel today is deep, his spirit, values, and legacy will
continue to guide and unite us.
He was not only respected, he was truly loved.
About one and a half years ago, on the special afternoon of 23 November
2024, many of us gathered, just as we do today in Berlin and virtually from
around the world to celebrate Wolde’s 80th birthday and to honor his
extraordinary book, “A Ten-Minute Mission – The Least Price for Freedom”
A book of profound historical importance, it describes with honesty, courage, and dignity the painful experiences, injustices, and suffering endured by the Oromo people, experiences that Wolde himself witnessed, survived, and carried throughout his life.
Today, we are once again united in the same spirit of connection, coming
together from different parts of the world to pay our final respects to a
remarkable man.
Obbo Wolde touched and shaped the lives of so many of us.
He was a role model, a father, a brother, a friend, a mentor, a teacher, and
an unwavering advocate for justice, equality, peace, and human dignity for
the Oromo people. He inspired countless individuals through his
extraordinary strength, integrity, resilience, fairness, and humanity.
His courage and steadfastness were deeply admired by all who knew him,
and his legacy will continue to live on in our hearts, our memories, and in
the generations to come.
Words are hardly enough to describe the kind of person he truly was. Many friends, colleagues, companions, and fellow travelers on his life’s journey have spoken and written about him, yet no words seem great enough to fully honor his life, his sacrifices, and the depth of his character.
He paid a painful and personal price for these ideals, a sacrifice he himself
once described as “the least price for freedom.”
Wolde did not leave his beloved homeland of Oromia willingly.
Oromia was the land of his birth, the home of his people, and a place he
carried in his heart throughout his life. After enduring many years of
imprisonment in the harsh and inhumane prisons of Ethiopia, he emerged
with an unbroken spirit and a steadfast commitment to the Oromo people.
Following his release, he was entrusted with the honor of representing his
people in Parliament as a representative of the Oromo Liberation Front
(OLF). It was a responsibility he embraced with humility, courage, and a
profound sense of duty. His dedication to justice, freedom, and the
aspirations of the Oromo people remained unwavering despite the suffering he had endured.
The years of imprisonment, however, took a heavy toll on his health. The
physical and emotional consequences of those difficult years accompanied
him long after his release. In the hope of receiving urgently needed medical treatment, he came to Germany.
In Germany, Wolde found not only medical care but also kindness,
friendship, and humanity. He met extraordinary people who understood the injustice he had suffered and who opened their hearts to him. They stood by him with compassion, generosity, and unwavering commitment, helping to ease the burdens he carried and bringing comfort and dignity to the later years of his life.
Wolde never forgot this kindness.
He often spoke with deep gratitude about Germany and came to regard it as his second home. Here, he formed deep and lasting friendships with many German people. Among those closest to him were Professor Dr. Jeanne Nicklas-Faust and her husband, Bernhard Faust. He spoke of them not merely as friends but as family.
Until the very end, I remained in close contact with them as we sought
together to do everything possible for Wolde. Their bond was one of trust,
affection, and profound human connection. In their care, companionship,
and friendship, Wolde found comfort during the final chapter of his life.
Few hours ahead of his eternal rest, surrounded by people who loved and
respected him, he found his final and eternal rest in the caring hands of
Professor Dr. Jeanne Nicklas-Faust on 14 May 2026 at approximately 6:20
p.m.
We remember Wolde not only for the hardships he endured, but for his
resilience, his dignity, his devotion to his people, and the warmth of his heart. His life was a testament to courage in the face of adversity, and his memory will remain alive in the hearts of all who knew him, loved him, and were inspired by his remarkable journey.
I would like to conclude these few words with a quote shared recently by
Professor Asafa Jalata during an interview with Oromia Media Network
(OMN):
“All human beings are equal. But if there were someone who stood above
others in every aspect of humanity and character, Wolde would have been
one of them.”
May his legacy continue through the new generations. May his lifelong hope and struggle for the Oromo people, for freedom, justice, equality, human dignity, and above all, Bilisummaa finally be fulfilled.
May his soul find peace and rest in knowing that his struggle, his voice, and
his vision will never be forgotten. R.I.P Obbo Wolde!
Thank you all for being here today to honor his life, his legacy, and his
enduring contribution to humanity.
Berhanu Fida & Family
Germany, Berlin 5th June 2026
