Mustafa Omer appointed the new acting president of Ethiopia’s Ogaden region

Mustafa Muhumed Omer has been nominated as the acting president of the Somali region in Ethiopia.(Courtesy)

By: Kevin Kyalo

ADDIS ABABA—Mustafa Muhumed Omer has been nominated as the acting president of the Somali region in Ethiopia.

The unanimous decision was made on Wednesday by the Ethiopian Somali People’s Democratic Party(ESPDP) executive committee members and clan elders in Addis Ababa

Mr. Omer will head the region in acting capacity until the next party congress elections in May 2020.

The position is currently being held by former Finance Minister Ahmed Abdi Mohammed “Ilkacase” who took over the position on interim basis, after the resignation of the embattled ex-president Abdi Iley.

The seat fell vacant following a break down of relations between the Federal Government of Ethiopia and Iley. This followed a standoff that led to the Ethiopian national army taking over the security of the Somali region.

Abdi Omar Iley was a dictator who on several occasions was accused of violating the basic human rights.

According to HRW, Abdi has detained thousands of prisoners at Jail Ogaden, most of whom experience routine abuse and neglect. Many of the prisoners have never been convicted of or even charged with a crime.

Mustafa Muhumed Omer was born in 1973 in Degahbour, Somali regional state. He has long been a vocal critic of Abdi Iley on issues of human right violations and abuse of power.

Prior to holding different positions in the Somali region, Omer has served as a humanitarian liaison officer for the United Nations in Mogadishu, Zimbabwe, the United Arab Emirates and Kenya.

His nomination has elicited mixed reactions, with those in support praising the Ethiopian government for the move.

“I have known Mustafa Omer for nearly two years now and have had extensive conversations with him on the politics of Somali regional state, Ethiopia and the Horn of Africa. I can’t think of a more intelligent, decent, and perceptive candidate that can move the Somali region forward,” read a tweet from Awol Allo, a lecturer in law at Keele University School of Law.

ONLF organisation has however protested the nomination of Omer.

“It is now very clear that #OPDO has decided to follow the footsteps of #TPLF and infringe on the right of #Somalis to self determination granted by the Ethiopian constitution by nominating a stooge leader to the Somali regional administration without the consent of the people”read a tweet from the organisation