Demissie Tulu
schrieb am 3. Juni 2026 um 19.46 Uhr
How I remember J/Wolde-Yohanis Hunde
I first heard about J/Wolde-Yohanis Hude in the 1980s through Amnesty International reports while he was a prisoner of conscience. Reports of Oromo political prisoners during that period helped inspire the formation of the Oromo Support Group (OSG) and the Oromo Community UK, and the campaign for the release of Oromo political prisoners.
I met J/Wolde in Berlin at the TBOA Annual General Meeting in the early 1990s. Although it was our first meeting, it felt as though we had known each other for many years. From then on, we maintained a close friendship for more than 30 years, speaking regularly by telephone and meeting whenever possible. My last visit was for his 80th birthday celebration in Berlin.
Through J/Wolde, I gained a deeper understanding of Oromia, its people, culture, and history. He shared his knowledge, life experiences, and the challenges he faced in the Oromo struggle. Despite many hardships and health problems, he never lost hope or compromised his principles.
I will always remember J/Wolde as a man of integrity, wisdom, and conviction. For more than three decades, he was not only a friend but also a brother. His passing is a great loss, but his memory and the knowledge he shared will remain with me forever.
J/Wolde, I leave you in eternal peace
Rest in Peace,
Demissie Tulu
