Leencoo Lataa: Jireenya Qabsoo
A Memoir of Struggle, Sacrifice, and Oromo Nationalism
Leencoo Lataa: Jireenya Qabsoo is the remarkable memoir of Leencoo Lataa, one of the founding figures of the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) and a veteran Oromo nationalist whose life has been deeply intertwined with the modern Oromo political struggle.
The book traces Leencoo’s journey from his early political awakening to decades of activism, resistance, exile, and reflection. His story illuminates not only the life of one political leader but also the broader history of a generation that dedicated its youth, education, careers, and personal lives to the Oromo people's struggle for freedom, dignity, equality, and self-determination.
Leencoo’s political journey took him across borders and continents. At different stages of his life, he lived in Sudan, Canada, and, for many years, Norway. Exile exposed him to new political ideas and international experiences while keeping him closely connected to developments in Oromia and Ethiopia.
Now living in Ethiopia, Leencoo looks back on decades of struggle with the perspective of both a participant and a witness. Jireenya Qabsoo preserves memories of sacrifice, disagreement, hope, political transformation, and unfinished aspirations. It is a personal memoir, but also an important testimony to the complex history of the Oromo national movement.