JIGJIGA (Halbeeg News) – Police officers in Jigjiga, the capital city of Ethiopia’s Somali regional State have been directed to effectively tackles the various security challenges facing the city.
Speaking to the media in Jigjiga town, the President of Somali Regional State, Mustafa Omer ordered the security agencies to take decisive action to stem the insecurity in the region.
“We will not tolerate any attempt to cause insecurity. I hereby order the police to take legal action against any individual found violating the peace and security of this town,” he said.
The directive comes barely a day after supporters of Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF0 who were welcoming ONLF representatives clashed with supporters of the ousted leader of the region, Abdi Mohamud.
The police have reportedly intervened and dismantled the demonstrotions staged by the two groups. According to medics, one person was injured during the clashes between the sides.
On Sunday, ONLF delegation led the group’s spokesman, Abdkadir Hassan Hirmoge arrived in Jigjiga for the first time in 20 years to hold talks with authorities of Somali Regional State.
The ONLF is one of the oldest separatist rebel groups established in 1984.
The group has been on Ethiopia’s terror list until recently when the Ethiopian parliament removed three opposition rebel groups: OLF, PG7, and ONLF, off the list. On August 12, ONLF declared a unilateral ceasefire and some of its members have returned to Ethiopia.
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