Gambella, Ethiopia – In Ethiopia’s politically restive Gambella Region, Othow Okoth has emerged as one

Othow Okoth

of the most powerful and controversial figures shaping the region’s future.

Currently serving as Chief of Cabinet Affairs and closely related to Regional President Alemitu Umot, Othow is widely seen as the driving force behind a rapid and unsettling shift in Gambella’s power structure.

Through family connections, strategic appointments, and the steady removal of rivals, Othow has consolidated influence across key political, economic, and security institutions.

Critics argue that this concentration of power is not only weakening democratic norms but also threatening the already fragile stability of the region.

What once appeared to be quiet influence exercised behind closed doors has now turned into open, assertive control as President Alemitu’s authority reportedly declines.

One of the clearest signs of Othow’s growing dominance was his forceful takeover of a regional speaker finance position traditionally associated with the Nuer Zone.

Political observers describe this move as part of a wider campaign to centralize authority and silence the bopposition.

Shortly afterward, four senior officials from the Anywaa and Nuer Zones were abruptly dismissed after publicly criticizing him. These removals were widely interpreted as a political purge, reinforcing concerns about his intolerance for dissent.

“Othow is not merely filling a vacuum,” noted one political analyst. “He is deliberately reshaping Gambella’s political system to serve his personal ambitions through calculated and unchecked power grabs.”

This pattern has raised fears that the region is drifting toward authoritarian-style governance.

Othow’s strategy extends deep into the structure of regional institutions. Following a poorly explained cabinet reshuffle four months ago, he installed individuals with controversial links to the former Omot Ujullu administration, often referred to locally as “shadow operatives” into key offices overseeing agriculture, city administration, water resources, and infrastructure.

These appointments have drawn sharp criticism, with many accusing him of valuing loyalty over competence.

According to critics, Othow’s real intention is to tightly control these offices from behind the scenes, allowing him to manage resources and security while avoiding direct responsibility for failures.

“By placing loyal but unqualified allies in powerful positions, he controls the system while shielding himself from accountability,” said one prominent observer. This approach has intensified fears of corruption, poor service delivery, and long-term institutional damage.

Othow himself reportedly views his role as that of a de facto successor, often likening his style to that of powerful crown princes known for centralized authority and zero-tolerance for rivals. However, his methods are carefully adapted to Gambella’s unique political and ethnic landscape.

As head of the regional cabinet, he blends formal authority with informal maneuvering, using his close relationship with President Alemitu to act as the region’s real decision-maker.

“He’s no longer a co-pilot,” said researcher Pam Chuol Joack. “He’s changing the direction of the plane while it’s still in the air.” In this context, some analysts argue that other senior figures in the administration have been reduced to symbolic roles.

With President Alemitu reportedly preparing to exit office, Othow Okoth’s rise appears increasingly inevitable. Yet his aggressive tactics have deepened divisions within the ruling party and the regional administration, sparking public frustration and concern.

As he positions himself for the presidency, many fear the emergence of an autocratic leader whose reliance on patronage and control could further destabilize Gambella.

The future of Gambella’s politics now rests heavily on Othow’s pursuit of power, secured one loyalist at a time. As his iron-fisted ascent continues, the region stands at a critical crossroads, where the balance between authority and accountability is being tested as never before.

This article is authored by Pam Chuol Joack, a scholar and analyst specializing in Gambella affairs.

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