The President of the Somali Regional State accuses the ONLF rebel group of seeking to plunge the region into turmoil.

Mustafa Muhumed Omar, President of the Somali Regional State of Ethiopia, has strongly criticized the policy of the Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) after a faction of the organization suggested that the armed struggle could potentially be resumed.

Speaking on the region’s political and security situation, he stated that groups he described as politically failed are attempting to create an expectation among the public that political upheaval and renewed conflict are imminent. He noted that Ethiopia is currently facing security and political challenges—with armed struggles underway in parts of the country—and that certain groups are exploiting the situation.

The President specifically criticized groups that he said have been engaged for decades in a struggle that has yielded no tangible results. “There are groups telling people that change is coming, while seeking to incite conflict in the region. These are politically failed groups that have spent over 42 years in fruitless politics.”

He stated that the rhetoric and what he described as “fairy tales” being broadcast in the media cannot alter the situation in the region, noting that these groups lack the political power or public support within the region to rely upon.

He also stated that “false expectations” should not be created for the people, noting that the long period of armed and political struggle failed to yield the progress promised to the community. “In those 40 years, nothing but decline—rather than progress—was seen,” the President said, adding that this demonstrates, in his view, that those who hold such views lack viable political leadership.

The ONLF has recently faced political and leadership divisions, with two major factions claiming to represent the organization. The external faction led by Abdirahman Mohamed Sheikh Mahdi opposes the policies of the Somali Regional State and the Ethiopian government, and has recently indicated that resuming the armed struggle is a possibility.

On the other hand, there is a faction led by Abdikarim Sheikh Muse “Qalbidhax,” based in the city of Jigjiga, which has transformed into a political party registered within the region.