Ethiopia’s Somali Region President Mustafe Mohamed Omar has praised Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, crediting his government with driving major political, security and economic changes in the region.
ADDIS ABABA (Somali Report) — The president of Ethiopia’s Somali Regional State, Mustafe Mohamed Omar, has credited Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s government with contributing to political and security changes in the region, saying residents had experienced a major transformation during Abiy’s tenure.
Mustafe made the remarks in a congratulatory message to Abiy after the Ethiopian prime minister was reappointed to lead the federal government. He praised Abiy’s leadership and said Ethiopia had entered what he described as an “irreversible process of change” during his time in office.
The regional president pointed to developments in federalism, religious freedoms and the economy as among the changes that had taken place under Abiy’s administration. He also highlighted several government initiatives, including a nationwide environmental greening programme, urban redevelopment and reforms within the security institutions.
Mustafe also cited efforts to expand agricultural production, strengthen food security, improve self-sufficiency and increase industrial output. He said such programmes were contributing to broader economic and institutional changes across Ethiopia.
The Somali regional president placed particular emphasis on the impact of the changes on residents of the Somali Region. He said the region had moved away from a period he described as a place where people were killed and had become an area where residents could live with greater peace and freedom.
Mustafe has led Ethiopia’s Somali Region through a period of significant political and security changes, with his administration repeatedly presenting peace and political stability as central priorities. His remarks appeared to credit both regional and federal authorities for the changes witnessed in the region during recent years.
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His message came as regional leaders and other Ethiopian officials continued to congratulate Abiy following his appointment to a new term at the helm of the federal government.
Abiy, who became prime minister in 2018, has overseen major political reforms as well as significant challenges, including armed conflicts, ethnic tensions and disputes involving Ethiopia’s federal and regional authorities.
The Somali Region has historically been affected by political tensions and armed conflict, but authorities have in recent years promoted a narrative of improved stability and greater integration into Ethiopia’s federal political system.
Mustafe’s statement reflects the close political relationship between his regional administration and Abiy’s federal government. It also underscores the importance regional leaders have placed on continued cooperation with Addis Ababa as Ethiopia seeks to advance its political and economic reform agenda.
The Somali Region, one of Ethiopia’s largest federal states by territory, borders Somalia and has a predominantly ethnic Somali population. Its political and security developments have implications beyond Ethiopia’s borders because of its location along the frontier with Somalia and its links to trade and cross-border communities.
About the Author
Ahmed Omar is a senior journalist for Somali Report, based in Mogadishu. He has two decades of experience reporting on Somalia for international and local media. He covers politics, security, governance, business, trade, economic developments and regional affairs.
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