Abdi Mohamoud Omar
Abdi Mohamoud Omar or Abdi Ilay was the president of the Ethiopian Somali Region from 2005-2018. He is a member of the Somali regional parliament and a member of the ruling party Ethiopian Somali People Democratic Party (ESPDP[1]), as well as a number five of the Meles Zenawi Foundation. However, he has been removed from his positions & got arrested few months after Abiy Ahmed assumed office[2].
Abdi Ilay | |
---|---|
President of the Somali Region | |
In office 2005–2018 Serving with Mohamed Rashid Isak | |
Succeeded by | Mustafa Muhummed Omer |
Personal details | |
Nationality | Ethiopian |
Political party | Ethiopian Somali People's Democratic Party |
Career
Abdi Omar’s name appeared on the electoral list during the 2005 Ethiopian election,[3] when the Somali tribes in Somali Region were loggerheaded for sharing electoral seats. Beyond his military links, Godfather and his special adviser is Abdi Ciro, who was a Somali colonel of the national security services (known as NSS), behind his promoting into the tribal electoral contests.
Becoming a member of the parliament did not come easy to Abdi, because he originated in a small sub-clan of Abdille, the major clan of the Ogaden. Those had no district with the Korahe region. His candidates caused a lot of controversial talk, with the interference of indisputable Ethiopian military commanders resulted to register him to be a parliament member acting of the Korahe region.[4][5]
Resignation and criminal charges
On 6 August 2018, Abdi Mohamoud Omar resigned as President of the Somali Region amid violence in the regional capital, Jigjiga.[6] He was replaced as president by Mustafa Muhummed Omer. On 27 August, it was reported that Abdi had been arrested by federal forces and charged with crimes.[7]
On 30 January 2019, Abdi was additionally charged with attempting to incite violence and "overthrow the constitutional order".[8] On 6 February, he pleaded not guilty to the charges.[9]
References
- "Ethiopia: ESPDP and ONLF the lesser of Two Evils". Wardheer news. 2011-08-23. Retrieved 2014-01-28.
- "Africa News, "Ethiopia police arrest ex-Somali region president Abdi Illey"".
- "Abdi Mohamud Omar: From Humble Beginning To The Greatest Achiever". waamonews. 2013-09-14. Retrieved 2014-01-28.
- ""We are Like the Dead": Torture and other Abuses in Jail Ogaden, Somali Regional State, Ethiopia". ReliefWeb. Retrieved 2018-07-25.
- "Ethiopia: Swedish journalists must be released immediately and unconditionally". www.amnesty.org. Retrieved 2018-07-25.
- "Ethiopia: President of Ethiopia's Turbulent Somali Region Resigns". allafrica.com. 2018-08-06.
- Shaban, Abdur Raman Alfa (August 30, 2018). "Ethiopia's Somali regional politics: new leader, Abdi Illey charged, Liyu police". Africa News. Retrieved 26 February 2019.
- Maasho, Aaron (January 30, 2019). "Ethiopia charges former regional president". Reuters. Retrieved 26 February 2019.
- Maasho, Aaron (6 February 2019). "Ethiopia ex-official pleads not guilty to fomenting ethnic violence". Reuters. Retrieved 26 February 2019.
External links
- Ethiomedia, the regional administration chief (President) led by Abdi Mohamud Omar is convincing the Federal government
- "Ethiopia 'kills 123 ONLF rebels'". BBC. 15 September 2010. Retrieved 25 July 2018 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
Abdi Mohamoud Omar, president of the Somali region of Ethiopia