ADDIS ABABA (Halbeeg News) – Over 30 people have been killed and thousands displaced from their homes in week-long ethnic clashes in Moyale town in Southern Ethiopia.
Surewe Mohammed, deputy head of communications head office of Somali regional state on Saturday said 31 people died after deadly clashes erupted along Somali-Oromia border.
According to Surewe, in three days, the fighting killed 21 people in Moyale town on the border of Kenya and left 61 injured.
Surewe said the injured people are being treated in nearby medical facilities and discussions are being held with local and federal government and security officials to prevent a recurrence of the ethnic violence.
Both ethnic Oromos and Somalis claim Moyale town.
Despite close relations, the two ethnic groups have experienced occasional conflicts over resources, including land and water, over the past 25 years.
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.
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