Veteran politician and parliamentarian Bulcha Demeksa, a prominent figure in Ethiopian opposition politics, passed away on Monday morning at the age of 94.

Known for his wit, oratorical skills, fearless debates, and strong convictions, Bulcha Demeksa was the founding chairman of the Oromo Federalist Democratic Movement (OFDM). He served as a vocal member of the Ethiopian parliament from 2005 to 2010.

“An elder statesman and a true public servant has left us,” Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said in a statement. “He gave his all to his country and Africa, stood firm in his convictions, worked relentlessly to unite people, and always spoke his truth, no matter the time or place.”

Bulcha Demeksa’s career in government dates back to the regime of Emperor Haile Selassie, during which he served as Vice-Minister of Finance for nearly a decade.

Born in the Bojji Diremeji Woreda of the West Wollega Zone, Bulcha was the fourth child and the only son among his siblings.

He received his primary education at Gimbi Adventist School and his secondary education at Kuyera Adventist Church.

He then joined Haile Selassie I University, where he earned a BA in economics, ranking among the top ten students. He was subsequently sent to the United States on a scholarship to pursue his master’s degree. He graduated from Syracuse University with a master’s in public finance and went on to serve as a member of the World Bank Board (1970–1975) and as a policy analyst at the United Nations in New York for 17 years.

After returning to Ethiopia, he co-founded Awash Bank SC in 1993 and served as its president until 2000.

The former General Manager of Awash International Bank, Leykun Berhanu, remarked that Bulcha played a pivotal role in advancing the country’s economy, especially during a period when private sector banks were scarce. Together with his colleagues, he made significant contributions to the establishment and growth of Awash Bank, Leykun added.

The Oromo Federalist Democratic Movement, which Bulcha founded and led until his retirement, was among the opposition groups that mobilized thousands of people onto the streets of Addis Ababa in 2005 contested elections. The movement advocated for the realization of Oromo rights to self-determination within a fully democratized Ethiopia. In 2008, the party joined the Forum for Unity and Democracy (Medrek), a political coalition formed that same year to contest the 2010 elections.

In an interview, he once said: “The main objective of the Oromo Federalist Democratic Movement is to reclaim the rights that the Oromo people have lost. At the time, most Oromo were sitting behind closed doors, so we formed the party to declare, ‘There’s an Oromo cause that needs attention.”

Mulatu Gemechu, a member of the executive committee of the Oromo Federalist Congress, stated that at a time when Oromo political parties were virtually non-existent, Bulcha Demeksa founded a party to advocate for the rights of the Oromo people. “In parliament, he was known for speaking his mind and openly challenging ideas he believed to be flawed. He remained a steadfast supporter of our party, offering assistance whenever possible,” he said.