Caaqil News - The President of Ethiopia’s Somali Regional State, Mustafe Muhumed Omar (popularly known as Mustafe Cagjar), has categorically denied accusations from a dissident faction of the Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF), claiming that his administration was responsible for dividing the once-united political movement. In a detailed interview with BBC Somali, the regional leader dismissed the claims as baseless, politically motivated fabrications.
The controversy stems from the existence of two rival ONLF factions: one recognized by the Ethiopian federal government and led by veteran politician Cabdiraxmaan Sheekh Muuse (commonly known as Qalbidhagax), and another, operating mostly from abroad, led by Cabdikariin Sheekh Maxamed Mahdi (known as Maaday), which has openly accused the Somali regional government of interference and political sabotage.
No Arrests, No Office Closures
Speaking to BBC Somali, President Mustafe Cagjar asserted that his government had not engaged in any action against ONLF members or their organizational infrastructure. “There is no ONLF member in prison. No ONLF office has been closed down,” he said. “There was one day when tensions were high — a day when a youth was reported to have been killed and a scheduled ONLF meeting was postponed for security reasons. The police intervened, a few people were detained and others dragged off, but the matter did not escalate beyond that.”
The president emphasized that the incident had no deeper political motive and did not reflect a targeted crackdown on the opposition group. According to Cagjar, the notion that his government had systematically moved against the ONLF is entirely unfounded.
Political Legitimacy Determined by Electoral Board, Not Regional Authorities
President Mustafe further clarified that the Somali Regional State government does not hold the power to license or legally recognize political parties — a responsibility reserved exclusively for Ethiopia’s National Electoral Board. “Our government doesn’t authorize political parties. That is the task of the federal Electoral Board, and anyone seeking recognition must follow the legal channels provided by that institution,” he stated.
The comments come in direct response to criticism from Maaday, the self-declared ONLF chairman, who recently alleged that the Cagjar administration had favored one faction of the movement while working to marginalize the other. Maaday claimed that these actions had caused the internal rift that now defines the ONLF.
Dissident ONLF Faction Threatens to Return to Armed Struggle
The rift between the two ONLF factions has been growing for several months. Recently, Maaday hinted that his faction might consider resuming armed insurgency if the alleged suppression continued. This threat has stirred unease in some political circles, given Ethiopia’s fragile political stability and the region’s troubled history with armed resistance movements.
However, President Mustafe Cagjar was quick to downplay the threat, arguing that the socio-political climate in the Somali region has fundamentally changed. “It is no longer possible for an armed rebellion to emerge in our region. People want peace, progress, and development. The environment that once enabled armed groups to thrive no longer exists,” he asserted.
Cagjar further accused Maaday’s faction of having links with foreign governments, though he stopped short of naming any. “Their posturing suggests external influence. Our concern is with transparency and legality. Any grievance they have should be resolved through the proper legal and political channels,” he added.
ONLF: A Political Legacy in Turmoil
Founded in the 1980s, the ONLF fought a decades-long insurgency against successive Ethiopian regimes, seeking self-determination for the Somali-inhabited Ogaden region. The conflict led to thousands of deaths and displaced tens of thousands more before a peace deal was reached in 2018 following the ascent of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.
The peace deal brought many former ONLF leaders back to Ethiopia, with some joining the political process. However, internal disagreements soon emerged over the direction of the movement. While the Qalbidhagax-led faction accepted the new political reality and sought to work within the framework of Ethiopian federalism, the Maaday-led faction remained in exile, alleging betrayal and compromise.
Qalbidhagax currently heads the faction that is recognized by the Ethiopian government and is actively participating in local political processes. In contrast, Maaday continues to challenge the legitimacy of both Qalbidhagax’s leadership and the peace agreement itself, insisting that the original goals of the ONLF — including greater autonomy and self-determination — remain unfulfilled.
Political Fragmentation and Allegations of Interference
Political analysts observe that the fragmentation of ONLF reflects the broader challenges facing opposition movements in Ethiopia’s evolving political landscape. The tension between revolutionary ideals and pragmatic political engagement has left many groups divided.
In his BBC interview, President Cagjar acknowledged that political disagreements and rivalries are natural but insisted that his administration had no role in deepening the ONLF split. “Politics involves competition and persuasion. Leaders may disagree. Movements may splinter. But it is inaccurate and dishonest to lay the blame on our government,” he said.
He also extended an olive branch to ONLF members who remain in exile, inviting them to return and contribute constructively to the region’s development. “We are open to dialogue. If they are serious about participating in the political process, they are welcome to come home and engage legally and peacefully,” he said.
The Broader Political Context: Ethiopia in Transition
Ethiopia remains in a delicate political transition. While Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s administration initially opened political space and released political prisoners, the country continues to grapple with ethnic tensions, regional power struggles, and the challenge of democratizing after decades of authoritarian rule.
In the Somali region, President Mustafe Cagjar has been credited with improving governance, increasing development initiatives, and reducing human rights abuses that were once rampant under previous regional administrations. However, critics argue that political space remains limited and that opposition voices, particularly those operating from abroad, are still marginalized.
The current standoff between ONLF factions adds another layer to the complexities of Ethiopian federalism — a system that grants significant autonomy to ethnic-based regions while also facing pressure to maintain national unity.
Looking Ahead: Dialogue or Division?
President Cagjar’s comments suggest a preference for legal and institutional solutions to political disagreements. By emphasizing the role of the Electoral Board and offering space for dialogue, he is presenting his administration as one committed to stability and rule of law. However, whether this approach will be enough to satisfy dissident factions of the ONLF remains unclear.
The Maaday faction’s insistence on political exclusion and threats of renewed resistance reflect a level of frustration that cannot be ignored. For the peace deal that ended the ONLF insurgency to hold, both the federal government and regional authorities must work to include all voices in the political process — not just those deemed convenient or non-threatening.
The situation also raises important questions about how Ethiopia will manage its opposition forces in the long run. As the country moves toward potential national elections and continues to navigate internal divisions, maintaining political pluralism without tipping into chaos will be a formidable challenge.
Conclusion: A Test for Ethiopian Federalism
President Mustafe Cagjar’s public rebuttal of the ONLF faction’s allegations marks a significant moment in the region’s post-conflict political development. It underscores the tensions between legacy rebel movements and newly established regional administrations navigating the demands of governance, legal legitimacy, and political pluralism.
Whether the ONLF can reconcile its internal divisions and emerge as a unified political force remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: Ethiopia’s Somali region is at a critical juncture. The choices made by leaders like Mustafe Cagjar, and the responses from opposition figures like Maaday, will shape the future of politics in the region for years to come.
In the end, what is at stake is not just the legacy of a liberation movement, but the democratic credibility of an entire region.
