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Sunday March 10, 2024
A reconciliation committee has been established to resolve the longstanding disputes in the border areas between the Somali and Afar regional states. (Photo by Jeilu TV)
ADDIS ABABA, (HOL) — A newly formed reconciliation committee is making strides toward resolving the prolonged disputes between the Somali and Afar regions of Ethiopia, according to the Ethiopian Islamic Affairs Supreme Council. The initiative marks the latest attempt to mitigate a conflict that has led to significant casualties and extensive property damage.
Historical tensions between the two regions center around essential resources, notably the Awash River and crucial infrastructure, including the trade route connecting Addis Ababa to Djibouti. These have been exacerbated by an ethno-federalism system implemented in 1991, intended to provide autonomy based on ethnic lines but instead often fueling regional disputes.
Previous efforts to address these conflicts, such as a 2014 agreement allocating disputed territories to the Afar region while granting the Somali residents political autonomy, have failed. The Somali region’s withdrawal from this agreement in 2019, combined with ongoing dissatisfaction among local leaders, underscores the enduring complexity and fragility of peace agreements.
The conflict’s persistence underscores a broader challenge for Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s administration in managing Ethiopia’s diverse regional dynamics. Clashes between the regions, such as those reported in April 2021, resulting in over 100 deaths, emphasize the urgent need for a lasting resolution.
The new reconciliation committee, comprising representatives from both the Somali and Afar regions, aims to foster dialogue and cooperation. This latest approach follows previous attempts, like the 2022 agreement to withdraw regional special forces in favour of federal security, indicating a commitment to peaceful conflict resolution.
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