Thousands of people have fled Ethiopia’s Somali region following deadly clashes in recent days between ethnic Somalis and Oromos.

The BBC’s Kalkidan Yibeltal looks at the cause of the conflict and whether it can be stopped. Dozens of people are reported to have died in clashes across Ethiopia’s Oromia and Somali regions in recent days.

According to Adisu Arega, Oromia government’s spokesperson, 18 people have been killed.

Twelve of those victims are ethnic Somalis, Mr Adisu told the BBC. The figures are however disputed by the Somali regional government, which says that more than 30 ethnic Somalis have been killed in the Oromia town of Awaday.

The clashes have displaced at least 30,000 people, some of whom have taken refuge in makeshift camps at a stadium in the eastern city of Harar, whilst others are camping at police stations.

Local administrators have now asked aid agencies operating in the area to provide humanitarian assistance.

How serious is the trouble?

Following intense anti-government protests that plagued the Horn of Africa country during most of 2016, the government imposed a 10-month state of emergency, which was lifted in July.

While this heightened state of alert calmed most of the restive areas in the Oromia region, it did not stop cross-border clashes in the Oromia and Somali areas.

Ethiopia’s ethnic-based borders have been fuelling conflict between the two communities.

In February and March, hundreds were reported to have been killed in the southern Oromia district of Negele Borena after an incursion by a paramilitary force called the Liyu Police, which is backed by the Somali region.

Ethnic Oromos allege that the Liyu Police, which has previously been accused by rights groups of human rights violations, of being behind the current attacks.

The Somali regional government has however rejected the allegations and charged that senior officials in the Oromia government were sympathisers of the Oromo Liberation Front, which is categorised as a terrorist organisation by the Ethiopian government.

While conflicts have been common between the two bordering communities, the public finger-pointing by top regional officials is unprecedented and could exacerbate the current conflict.

“We don’t believe this is expected from a responsible senior government official,” Communication Minister Negeri Lencho told the BBC.

Ethiopia’s political arrangement – federalism structured along ethno-linguistic lines – dictates that ethnic borders are also usually political ones.

Critics argue that this structure is a tinder box that allows minor conflicts to escalate.

What is behind the conflict?

Oromia and Somali are, respectively, the two largest regions in the country by area size, sharing a border of more than 1,400 km (870 miles). While Somalis are mostly pastoralists, living from their animals, Oromos tend to be farmers, as well as pastoralists.

Both communities inhabit the areas around the regional border.

Historically, their relationship has been characterised by territorial competition which often leads to disputes and conflicts over resources, including wells and grazing land.

These conflicts can cause the displacement of tens of thousands of people. In 2004, a referendum to decide on the fate of more than 420 kebeles – the country’s smallest administrative unit – gave 80% of them to Oromia.

Following the outcome, tens of thousands of ethnic Somalis reportedly fled the areas for fear of repercussions.

The decision has still not been implemented and this is one factor behind the current conflict.




1 COMMENT

  1. Humanity; May The Noble People Of Ethiopia Open -‘Their Eyes’!!. For As (The New Terrorists) Of America Had Plans To Seek To Tear Down The -‘Ashanti Kingdom’- And Asanteman To Succeed In Tearing Down The Great And Peace-loving Nation Of Ghana, So Does (The New Terrorists) Of America Have Plans To Tear Down Not Only Ethiopia, But Egypt, Kenya, Libya, Congo, Nigeria…; Plans To Tear Down Africa From The North, South, East, West And Central Africa!!! For “They Don’t Want To See Us Unite!!They Don’t Want To See Us Be Together!! All They Want Us To Do Is, Keep On Shooting, Killing One Another”!!! Yea; (The New Terrorists) Of America!!! Therefore; “Africa Unite”!! A Time To Think. The Same Old Call. Yea; Let My People Think. Humanity; The Strategic Elimination Of African Leaders, The Treacherous Killing Of Innocent Civilians Of Africa To The Now Barbarous Lynching Of Our Courageous Soldier Of Ghana By (The New Terrorists) Of America Must Cease And Cease Now!!! Therefore; “Go Away; You And Your (CIA)”!!! And -‘Africa’- Shall Be Free!! For “All Men Are Created Equal”.
    America; I Am Saying You Can Call Me “Okomfo Anokyi” Or “Jesus” But That Can Never Thwart The Counsel Of God Or Give You Any Lotus To “Take Me Out”!!! Your (CIA) Understands This So Well. “I Am Among The Africans” And “An African; I Am”!! And “An African” I Forever Remain. My God Made Me So!! A Time To Think.

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