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The U-OROMO is a humanitarian organization that was founded in 2017 in honor of the Oromo QEERROO generation, who peacefully resisted and ultimately overthrew the autocratic rulers of Ethiopia. The organization is inclusive and has a large, global membership that advocates for human rights, equal opportunities, and the preservation of African resources for Africans. It is recognized as a grassroots-based organization that is widely loved and supported.
President, USA
TREASURER, USA
Professor Peter Eichten was born in the United States of America from his peaceful and peace-loving families and deep rooted Christian values. The multi-tasker born genius, has earned his three degrees in History, Education, and Theology.
Professor Eichten has been elected to service at a public school board and has served on the board of directors of two non-profit organizations. Professor Eichten has several years of experience and expertise from being a high school teacher, counselor, and coach, to even working in the honored Catholic Campus Ministry.
Professor Eichten is the professor of the graduate students in the Masters level at the Metropolitan State University located in Minnesota.
The courses Professor Eichten currently lectures are Public Ethics and Managing with Respect. Professor Eichten and his beloved wife Jane are both returned Peace Corps Volunteers (Iran 1970-72).
They have five adult children and five grandchildren.
VICE PRESIDENT, USA
Armand Halbert is a young scientist, web backend developer, and designer. Experienced developer in C/C++/Python/PHP/JavaScript.
Halbert is currently working for the professional company after graduating from his school at the University of Massachusetts.
Halbert studied database and logistics management. Experienced in developing web backends for small and large companies in a variety of languages.
Halbert is mostly familiar with Django and Spring, but easily navigates any framework or language quickly.
Website Designer and Developer
Nebert is a highly skilled website developer and designer with over 8 years of experience in the industry. He first began his career in 2014, when he discovered a passion for building and creating visually appealing and user-friendly websites.
Since then, Nebert has worked on a variety of projects for a range of clients, from small businesses to large corporations. His expertise spans across various technologies, including HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Wordpress, Moodle, and responsive design, making him a versatile and valuable asset to any project.
In addition to his technical skills, Nebert is known for his strong communication and collaboration abilities. He is adept at working with clients to understand their vision and goals, and is able to translate that into a successful and effective final product.
Throughout his career, Nebert has consistently delivered high-quality work, earning him a reputation as a reliable and professional website developer and designer. His dedication to his craft and commitment to delivering excellent results have made him a valuable asset to any team.
GENERAL SECRETARY, AFRICA
REPRESENTATIVE, EUROPE
Eskindir Hassen was born in Oromia and attended school in Hararege. Hassen continued his higher education from 2007-2009 at Jijiga Health Science college and graduated as a Medical Laboratory Technician. Hassen again continued his further education from 2012-2014 at Jijiga University.
Then, due to political problems in Ethiopia and the ongoing Human Rights Abuses against the Oromo Nation, Hassen fled to Germany in 2015. Upon arriving in Germany, Hassen continued pursuing his life of service to his Oromo Nation by voicing his concern from wherever he is like every diaspora around the world is doing.
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS, CANADA
Mr. Baati was born and raised in Oromia, the country currently called Ethiopia. Baati studied both Primary and Secondary Education at Jeju Junior and Asella Comprehensive High School.
Due to the ongoing ethnic cleansing since the 1991-to-current Human Rights Abuses against the Oromo nation by the minority Tigray government ruling Ethiopia, Baati fled Oromia in 1992 and found refuge in the Republic of South Africa and lived in South Africa until he was given the third country.
While in Oromia, Baati has worked at African Development Aid Association (ADAA), as emergency aid coordinator, in Finfine-Oromia. Thanks to the Canadian government, Baati was privileged to finally resettle in Canada in 2000. After moving to Canada, Baati studied Social Work at the University of Calgary and graduated with a Bachelor of Social Work.
As a social worker, Baati is committed to the work of social justice and advocates for voiceless and oppressed people regardless of who they are and where they come from.
Baati is currently working as a resettlement counselor with the Canadian government.
INTERNATIONAL ATTORNEY, USA
Dr. Nuro Dedefo is currently working at a private law firm in Minnesota. Dedefo fled to U.S. in 1995 from the political persecution against the Oromo ethnic group in Ethiopia. Dedefo then started building a legal career serving fellow immigrants from his office in Columbia Heights, Minnesota.
Dedefo is the first Oromo attorney and one of only two to serve the Twin Cities area. Dedefo served for four years as president of the Oromo Community of Minnesota, which represents the state’s approximately 40,000 Oromo people. In his native land working as a judge, Dedefo released many political prisoners, prompting threats against his life.
Dedefo worked as president of the Arsi Regional High Court, an arm of the Oromia Supreme Court in Ethiopia. Dedefo returned to school in the U.S. and earned his doctoral degree in law from Hamline University in St. Paul, Minnesota in 2001.
CHIEF STRATEGIST, USA
Don Babai is an associate in research at the Center for Middle Eastern Studies at Harvard University. He recently finished co-editing Recovering the Iraqi Economy: Before and After 2003, and his current research focuses on the evolution of the private sector in the Persian Gulf. Babai teaches international organization and international political economy.
Babai has a special interest in international economic institutions such as the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, and the World Trade Organization, and their roles in globalization.
Babai received his Ph.D. from the University of California at Berkeley. In 2010, he was honored for 25 years of teaching at Harvard University.
BOARD OF ADVISER, USA
Rev. Tim Crawford was born and raised in Minnesota and is dedicated to serve the Lord through the Lutheran Church in Minnesota.
Rev. Crawford worked with several mission teams to tell people about implementing the mission strategy of peace, love, and harmony. Activities include Word and Sacrament ministry, Bible studies, mercy missions, instruction in the Lutheran Confessions and the preparation of future leaders.
Rev. Crawford also mentors and counsels missionaries. Upon graduation, Rev. Crawford was commissioned as an officer in the United States Army and served for 14 years. After he retired from the Army, he studied theology at Concordia Theological Seminary.
He and his wife currently serve God as pastor. His OROMO wife Destaye, received a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree from Colorado College, Colorado Springs, and a second master’s degree in library and information science from the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee.
Rev. Crawford is currently serving as the senior pastor for a Lutheran Church located in Columbia Heights, Minnesota.
AFRICA, MIDDLE EAST-ISRAEL RELATIONS, ISRAEL
Rabbi Avraham Ettedgui was born and grew up in Morocco. Rabbi Ettedgui is currently serving as spiritual leader at the Sharei Chesed Congregation since 1999, and has guided it during the transition period from St. Louis Park, Minnesota to the current home in Minnetonka, Minnesota.
A native of Morocco, Ettedgui studied and was ordained at the Ohr Joseph Yeshiva in France. Rabbi Ettedgui continued his studies and graduated from the Telshe Yeshiva in Cleveland, Ohio, and holds a Master’s in Education from the University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, Minnesota.
Rabbi Ettedgui served on the faculty of the Talmud Torah of Minneapolis for over forty years, first as a teacher and then as its executive director for over 25 years.
Rabbi Ettedgui continues to teach in the Bet Hamidrash department and serves as the director of the Talmud Torah Foundation. Throughout his years of service, he has also served as the visiting rabbi to many outlying Jewish communities including Hibbing, Minnesota, Mason City, Iowa and Fargo, North Dakota.
Rabbi Ettedgui is married and has 7 children and 15 grandchildren.
JUSTICE ADVISER, USA
Donna Schmitt is currently working as Mayor for the City of Columbia Heights, MN.
Schmitt received her Associate of Arts degree from Crown College and her Bachelor of Science degree from University of Minnesota. Schmitt has a strong community involvement such as Master Water Steward; Member of HeightsNext group; Mississippi Watershed Management Organization Board Member; Reading Corps Tutor; Monthly Interfaith Dialogue at the Islamic Center of Minnesota; League of Minnesota Cities Policy Committee since 2013.