Dire Dawa | July 17, 2025 (HornCurrent.com) – In a forum aimed at reviewing government and party performance and addressing Ethiopia’s pressing cost-of-living crisis, one notable absence has sparked political speculation: Somali Region President Mustafe Omar was reportedly absent from the Dire Dawa meeting, despite the attendance of high-level federal and regional officials.
The high-level event, organized by the Democracy System Construction Coordination Center and attended by Vice President of the Prosperity Party (formerly EPRDF), Adam Farah, emphasized regional cooperation as a key strategy to reduce inflation and improve market stability across Ethiopia. However, sources close to the organizing committee confirmed to HornCurrent that President Mustafe Omar was not in attendance, allegedly due to a worsening fallout between him and Adam Farah, who also oversees federal coordination in regional affairs.
“There is credible information that Mustafe Omar’s absence is linked to the deteriorating relationship with Adam Farah. The tension has reportedly deepened over political disagreements and power rivalries within the Somali wing of the ruling party,” a source familiar with internal Prosperity Party affairs told HornCurrent.com.
In his address, Adam Farah underscored the urgency of bolstering regional collaboration to address the cost-of-living crisis. “To ease economic pressure on citizens, regions must coordinate closely, improve product supply chains, and crack down on contraband trade,” he stated.
Farah also emphasized:
- Strengthening inter-regional trade ties
- Enhancing productivity by identifying local market potential
- Supporting nutrition and family planning initiatives
- Improving access to microloans and job training
He urged all levels of leadership to focus on sustainable, locally-driven solutions to reduce dependency on foreign humanitarian assistance and ensure food sovereignty through robust planning and preparedness.
Our approach must shift. We cannot rely indefinitely on emergency food aid. We must boost internal reserves, target high-risk areas, and respond swiftly,” Farah said.
While other regional leaders participated in the forum, Mustafe Omar’s absence has not been officially addressed. However, several observers see it as a symptom of deeper political fragmentation within the Prosperity Party, particularly in the Somali Region, where recent reports of intra-party rivalry have intensified.
As Ethiopia faces intertwined political and economic challenges, insiders warn that unresolved leadership conflicts could undermine national strategies designed to stabilize living conditions and foster regional unity.
