Abdi Mohamoud Omar | |
---|---|
Cabdi Maxamuud Cumar | |
President of the Somali Region | |
In office 2010–2018 | |
Succeeded by | Mustafa Mohammed Omar |
Personal details | |
Nationality | Ethiopian |
Political party | Ethiopian Somali People's Democratic Party |
Abdi Mohamoud Omar (Somali: Cabdi Maxamuud Cumar) also known as Abdi Ilay (Somali: Cabdi Ilay) is an Ethiopian politician who was the president of the Somali Region of Ethiopia from 2010 to 2018. He served as in the Somali regional parliament and was a member of the ruling Ethiopian Somali People Democratic Party (ESPDP),[1] as well as a number five of the Meles Zenawi Foundation. However, he was removed from his positions and arrested a few months after Abiy Ahmed assumed office.[2]
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]
Under the 10 year rule of Abdi Mohamoud Omar, the region development in every aspect never seen before, despite the human atrocities that took place under his administration.
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 guilty to the charges.[9]