Shimelis Abdisa Secures Second Term as Oromia President

Shimelis Abdisa has been re-elected as President of the Oromia Regional State, securing another term with the backing of 509 members of the regional council, the Caffee Oromia.

The council confirmed his re-election on Monday during its inaugural session in Adama. Shimelis has led the region as president for the past five years, following a two-and-a-half-year tenure as deputy head of the regional government.

His nomination was put forward by Kefyalew Tefera, head of the Prosperity Party’s Oromia branch office, who highlighted Shimelis’s educational and professional background. Kefyalew noted that Shimelis was nominated for a second term in recognition of his leadership in navigating the region’s key challenges.

In turn, the council approved Kefyalew as Oromia’s Vice President and government representative to the Caffee. Nominated by Shimelis as the sole candidate for both roles, Kefyalew succeeds Awelo Abdi, who completed his term as vice president.

Kefyalew, 50, previously held several key federal positions, including State Minister at the Ministry of Peace, Deputy Director of the Information Network Security Administration (INSA), and Deputy Commissioner of the Civil Service Commission.

In addition to the presidency, the council approved six deputy presidents and filled 21 executive positions proposed by Shimelis.

The newly appointed deputy presidents include Abdurahman Abdela, Mesfin Melaku, Reshad Kemal, Mengistu Bekele, Ahmed Idris, and Ahmed Haji. 

Key cabinet appointments include Tola Beriso as Head of the Office of the Oromia Regional President, Guye Wario as Head of the Justice Bureau, Abdulaziz Dawud as Head of the Finance Bureau, and Tesfaye Tulu as Head of the Revenue Bureau.