Shimelis Abdisa

Shimelis Abdisa was born near Ambo, West Shewa Zone, Oromia Region, Ethiopia. Before appointed as President of Oromia Region, he has served in various roles including chief of staff of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. For instance, he served as Head of the Office of the Prime Minister replacing Fitsum Arega, who had served as Ambassador of Ethiopia to US. On 18 April 2019, the Oromia Regional State Council appointed Shimelis as the president of the Oromia Region, preceded by Lemma Megersa. The Oromia Broadcasting Network called the election to replace Lemma Megersa.[4][5]

Since Shimelis took office, the Irrechaa celebrations, returned to Finfinnee the capital for the first time in 150[6] years on 4 October 2019. The Irrechaa[7] festival is usually held in Bishoftu, a town located in the Oromia region, about 40 kilometres (25 miles) south of Addis Ababa since it was banned by the neftenya system during the Ethiopian Empire rule.

During emergency meeting by Holy Synod of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church on 5 September 2019, Shimelis vowed to protect the Church.[8] Shimelis made a clear statement condemning the oppression of Oromo people by neftenya system during Ethiopian cEmpire rule.