The process of establishing Oromiyaa liberation Council has passed through various stages:
This historical seminar on Oromo self-determination and national unity of August 2 and 3,1997 that was held in Washington DC is a rock-bed for the formation of OLC. The seminar was organized by Union of Oromo in North America. Fronts and organizations that accepted the invitation and actively participated include: Islamic Front for the Liberation of Oromia (IFLO), Oromo peoples Liberation Organization (OPLO), Union of Oromos in North America (UONA), Oromo Democratic Organization in America (ODOA), United Oromo Association in North America (UOANA), and Gurmu Sabaa (GS). Many Oromo nationalists who have serious concern on national unity and who wish to make their utmost contribution towards the effort of forging unity of purpose among all political organizations also took part in the seminar.
The seminar participants explored and discussed the international political situations that have implications on the Oromo national movement for Self-determination. Likewise, they looked into issues that may impede Oromo national unity. After thorough discourse, the participants formulated a memorandum of understanding and made recommendation that could help promote unity among Oromo liberation forces. To overcome the impediments to the Oromo national liberation movement, the participants agreed upon the urgency of formulating a solution and recommended that a task force consisting of representatives of each organization that has taken part in the seminar be established to:
QYT is a task force created from among the organizations which attended a two day seminar on Self-determination and national Unity, organized by Union of Oromo in North America, August 2 - 3 /97 in Washington Dc. Based on this memorandum of understanding they formulated, the participant organizations issued joint instructions to the task force with a main objective of organizing an all inclusive convention of all oromo forces within a time period of one year, for the ultimate objective of establishing a united and effective leadership that leads the Oromo liberation movement to its final goal - bilisummaa.
In order to carry out its assignments, QYT has announced that a convention will be held in Toronto, Canada at Toronto University from August 1 - 3 / 98. QYT has also arranged for a specific committee to take over the work of accommodation for the convention.
QYT has issued a communique in which it contacted and extended an invitation for all those groups who had not participated in the first gathering in August, 1997 and to all Oromo communities in north America to help organize and join in the effort to coordinate oromo efforts to unite in a substantial and meaningful way.
QYT has also proposed agenda of the convention and suggested topics to be discussed on. It has also requested all participating groups and individuals for their suggestions and ideas regarding the agenda of the convention. On its part, In view of this QYT organized hosted a three day convention comprising of Oromo liberation forces, political and community organizations and individuals. The convention was held form august 2 to 4, 1998, at University of Toronto, Canada.
Many political, social and community based organizations and Oromo individuals who participated in the Oromo convention of August 2 to 4, 1998, presented their opinions and views on how to forge unity of purpose among Oromo liberation forces in order to facilitate the coordination of Oromo national liberation struggle. Among the political Organizations who fully participated in the convention were: IFLO, OPLO, OPLF, UONA, GS and also several Oromo community and social organizations. At the conclusion of this three-day Convention, the participants agreed and signed an Accord known as THE TORONTO ACCORD. ) To facilitate and accomplish this mission the participants established a transitional council known as Transitional Oromiyaa Liberation Council (TOLC).
(for full text see TORONTO ACCORD)
The participants of Toronto convention further agreed and mandated the transitional Oromiyaa liberation council to draft the program and Constitution for Oromiyaa liberation Council, invite all Oromo political Organizations to a general assembly where the drafted program and constitution will be ratified. The TOLC drafted the program and constitution and made available for public discussion during the year 1999. After it put together all necessary documents, the TOLC convened a general assembly July 10 to 12, 1999, in Toronto, Canada. The General assembly of TOLC which was held on July 10 to 12, 1999 in Toronto, ratified the program and constitution and formally founded Oromiyaa Liberation Council(OLC),{Gumii Bilisummaa Oromiyaa (GBO)}. (see OLC Program)