Jigjiga, Ethiopia (Dawan Africa) — The Somali Regional State has become the second regional government in Ethiopia to officially launch the second phase of the national #CleanEthiopia campaign, a transformative initiative aimed at tackling pollution, improving sanitation, and embedding environmental protection into long-term development.
The regional launch ceremony, held in Jigjiga on June 17, 2025, was officiated by Mustafe Muhummed Omer, President of the Somali Regional State, alongside Lelise Neme, Director General of the Ethiopian Environmental Protection Authority (EPA). The campaign, under the slogan “Clean Environment,” focuses on raising environmental consciousness, enforcing anti-pollution regulations, and aligning local development efforts with sustainability principles.
“We must educate, mobilize, and where necessary, enforce the law to secure a cleaner future for the next generation,” said President Mustafe at the launch.
The first phase of the #CleanEthiopia campaign was inaugurated on April 26, 2024, in Addis Ababa by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. Branded with the motto “Clean Cities – Healthy Lives,” Phase I centered on urban sanitation projects, including the construction of modern public toilets, public education drives, and nationwide clean-up initiatives. A digital fundraising telethon, held on April 28, 2024, mobilized millions in contributions—both financial and in-kind.
Building on that momentum, Somali Region is now taking a leading role in Phase II, becoming the second regional state to implement the campaign’s next chapter. The new phase expands the campaign’s focus to rural and pastoralist communities, addresses unregulated plastic dumping, and reinforces institutional accountability across zones and woredas.
Key Focus Areas of Phase II:
- Community Awareness & Behavior Change: Rolling out education campaigns targeting schools, youth groups, and local media.
- Policy Enforcement: Enforcing penalties on illegal dumping and the burning of non-biodegradable waste.
- Sustainable Integration: Embedding environmental goals in urban planning, land use, and regional development strategies.
The Somali Regional State’s Office of Environmental Protection and Pastoral Land Administration is spearheading the effort locally, ensuring grassroots participation and inter-agency coordination.
As climate change, urbanization, and pollution continue to pose existential challenges across Ethiopia, the Somali Regional State’s leadership in the second phase of #CleanEthiopia offers a promising path forward—where federal vision meets regional execution.
