Jawar Mohammed, one of Ethiopia’s most influential and polarizing political figures, is set to release his memoir titled “I Will Not Regret” next week in Nairobi, Kenya. Written in Amharic (“አልፅፅትም “), and Oromo (“Hin Gaabbu”), the book recounts Jawar’s journey through Ethiopia’s turbulent political landscape, chronicling his life, his role in the Oromo struggle, and the challenges he faced both as an activist and politician.
The Context Behind the Book
Jawar began writing the book during his 18-month imprisonment following the political unrest triggered by the assassination of Hachalu Hundessa in 2020. His arrest, along with other prominent politicians, coincided with widespread protests across Addis Ababa and the Oromia region, leading to significant loss of life and destruction of property. Jawar was eventually released on December 29, 2021, following a controversial decision by Ethiopia’s Ministry of Justice to drop charges against him and other opposition figures.
The memoir, spanning over 500 pages, was reportedly written under difficult conditions in prison. Jawar revealed in a recent BBC interview that he smuggled pages out of prison, thanks to assistance from prison guards and outside supporters. “At first, when I asked for paper, it was denied,” he said. “But a police officer gave me a notebook, and I started writing. Later, in Qaliti prison, writing was not prohibited, though taking the pages out was a challenge.”
Why Nairobi? Why Now?
When asked why the book launch is taking place in Nairobi rather than Ethiopia, Jawar candidly stated that the political climate in Ethiopia made it impossible to launch the book at home. “The rulers were not happy,” he said. “Given the current situation in our country, I did not want to get into trouble for the sake of a book.”
Although he considered launching the book in Europe, he decided to begin in Kenya due to the strong connections and support he has among the Oromo diaspora there. He added, “Apart from launching the book, I will also travel to European countries to discuss Ethiopia’s current situation and explore ideas on what should be done for the future.”
Jawar emphasized that the book could not wait for better times. “I had hoped that after the war had subsided, people could read the book in peace. But things are getting worse, not better. People who knew the book was ready were pressuring me to publish it.”
What Does the Book Contain?
The memoir is both a personal and political chronicle, beginning with Jawar’s upbringing and tracing his journey through Ethiopia’s socio-political landscape. Jawar describes it as “a memoir of the path we traveled during the queer struggle from my birth to 36 years ago (until two years ago).” He provides insights into the protests that led to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s rise to power, as well as the strategic and ideological shifts within the Oromo movement.
Jawar also reflects on the mistakes made during Ethiopia’s post-transition period, stating that understanding the past is crucial for charting a better future. “Politics has a yesterday, a today, and a tomorrow. Unless we understand the past well—how past successes were achieved and how mistakes were made—it will be difficult to plan for the future.”
The book is divided into two parts. The first part recounts Jawar’s journey up to his release from prison. The second part, which he plans to release next year, will propose strategies and governance models for Ethiopia’s future. “I have added a chapter at the conclusion of this book on what should be done in the future,” he said.
Does Jawar Regret Anything?
The title of the book, I Will Not Regret, has sparked curiosity about whether Jawar has any regrets about his political actions, especially given the controversies surrounding him. Jawar is often credited with coordinating Oromo protests that led to significant political change in Ethiopia, but he has also been criticized for the violence and unrest that sometimes accompanied these protests.
In the BBC interview, Jawar acknowledged making mistakes but stood by his choices. “I have paid a lot for my political participation—sacrificing my personal life and family life. However, it was a successful journey. I gained more than I lost. Therefore, I do not regret it.”
He admitted to making mistakes but argued that they were part of a larger effort to achieve strategic goals. “The mistakes I made were not to hurt individuals or teams but to achieve the goal. The success compensates for the mistakes, shortcomings, and harm caused. When I look back, the benefits outweigh the harm.”
Jawar’s Life and Legacy
Jawar’s political career is as storied as it is controversial. Born in Ethiopia, he left the country as a young man and received a free education in Singapore in 2003. He later moved to the United States, earning a bachelor’s degree in political science from Stanford University and a master’s degree in human rights from Columbia University.
He gained prominence as the founder of the Oromia Media Network (OMN) in 2013, which became a key platform for Oromo activism. Initially a strong supporter of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, Jawar later became one of his most vocal critics, even renouncing his U.S. citizenship to fully commit to Ethiopian politics.
Conclusion: A Controversial but Timely Memoir
I Will Not Regret promises to be a detailed and candid account of Jawar Mohammed’s life and the Oromo struggle. The book is not only a reflection of Ethiopia’s recent political history but also an attempt to chart a course for its future. By writing this memoir in prison and choosing to launch it in exile, Jawar continues to position himself as a defiant and unyielding voice in Ethiopian politics.
The release of I Will Not Regret is likely to spark further debate about Jawar’s legacy and Ethiopia’s path forward, making it one of the most anticipated political books in recent Ethiopian history.
Such autobiographies by former and current leaders of groups should be seen as the right thing to do. Others who used to be leaders of groups before him going back to the 1960’s, 1970’s and 80’s had penned their own versions of their biographies that gave us glimpse of the inner working of their outfits what provided valuable lesson for current and future leaders of groups. I preferred to describe them as ‘groups’ rather than ‘parties’ for obvious reasons.
Keep writing young man.
Meanwhile, I want to share something that delighted me so much lately. My weekday was wrapped by something that once again made me proud to be a product of the legendary country called Ethiopia and it happened with my most favorite music genre, jazz. One of the greatest jazz artists of these days, Kamasi Washington, paid tribute to his source of pride, Ethiopia, by blending traditional dance varieties from that country with his jazz riff on The Tonight with Jimmy Fallon.
How many times did I tell you the old country that produced us all is the gem of the colored? I have told you that a million times already and I will keep telling that until these bigots and connivers who have been stinking up neighborhoods in Minnesota, Toronto, Tennessee, Michigan, Oslo and Down Under drop unconscious. Here is Washington’s masterpiece from Jimmy Fallon:
https://www.nbc.com/the-tonight-show/video/kamasi-washington-lesanu/NBCE939973551
The video clip comes with a commercial.
I hope Kamasi will travel to Ethiopia so he can see it himself how it is a museum of vibrant cultures of more than 80 groups of noble people that will make him even more proud.
I want to interject something here that has nothing to do with the affairs of the old country. It is what is heading towards our dear African brothers and sisters in Mozambique. A very intense typhoon Chido is at their doorstep with winds gusting at 160 miles per hour. It could be heading to Malawi and Zimbabwe after that. The same system had killed several people in Mayotte already. Let’s have our African kin and kit in our thoughts and prayers.