To the Family, Friends, Colleagues and nation of Professor Hamdesa Tusso,
It is with profound sorrow and a heavy heart that the Oromo Community of Minnesota extends its deepest condolences on the passing of our revered elder, intellectual, and advocate, Professor Hamdesa Tusso. The loss of such a distinguished figure leaves an immeasurable void in our hearts and in the global community he served so tirelessly.
Professor Tusso was a towering presence whose life was a testament to his dedication to justice, peace, and scholarship. His legacy is deeply imprinted across a multitude of regions, and specifically in areas of academic excellence and transformative community advocacy.
A Scholar of Peace and Indigenous Wisdom: In his academic career, Professor Tusso was a foundational voice in the fields of Peace and Conflict Studies. As a long-serving faculty member, he challenged conventional theories by dedicating his research to Indigenous Processes of Peacemaking, notably captured in his role as lead editor for the book Creating the Third Force. He educated countless graduate students at institutions like the University of Manitoba, and his scholarly works on ethnic conflict and the refugee crisis in the Horn of Africa provided critical insight and moral clarity to the world. Furthermore, his work to establish organizations like the Oromo Studies Association (OSA) ensures his intellectual contributions will continue to shape future generations of Oromo scholars.
A Champion for the Oromo People and the Diaspora: Beyond the lecture halls, Professor Tusso was a constant and powerful advocate for the Oromo nation. His social contributions, rooted in his early mobilization of people of Oromia, spanned decades and continents. He famously served as the Chairman of the Shanachaa Jaarsummaa Peace Mission (2001-2004), working to unify the Oromo movements and leadership —a monumental effort that showcased his commitment to Oromo unity and Oromummaa. Globally, his work on the Board of Directors of the Immigration and Refugee Forum led to impactful legislation like the Immigration Reform Act of 1986, directly benefiting countless new Americans, including many Oromo refugees.
The Oromo Community of Minnesota benefited directly from his wisdom, his unwavering spirit, and his powerful example of blending theory with practical advocacy. We mourn a father, a teacher, and a beacon of hope.
