Somali & Afar regions have reached an agreement to solve their territorial dispute. Afar regional president Awol Arba and Somali regional president Mustefe Omar gave a press release today.
Somali and Afar regions have been involved in a dispute over three kebeles. Three kebeles Undufu, Adaytu and Garbaisse are disputed between the two regional states. After every few weeks, clashes erupt between Somali and Afar militias for the control of these 3 kebeles. For almost a decade, the conflict has been ongoing.
Latest round of clashes between Afar and Somali militias erupted more than a month ago. Hundreds of people were displaced and dozens killed on both sides in the last one month or so.
After today’s agreement, the president of Somali region Mustefe Omar announced that they have reached an agreement to solve the problem. The two sides agreed on the return of the displaced citizens too. They announced that conflict should be resolved legally, constitutional and peacefully.
Afar region president Awol Arba said we have reached an agreement to remove misunderstandings and we will engage in public discussions to resolve differences. Awol Arba and Mustafa Omar say that they are going to start working from today by identifying and addressing contentions issues.
Last year, Ethiopian National Defense Force tried to mediate between Afar and Somali leaders. Talks were held and committees were formed but no solution could be found. Around 2 months ago, the Ethiopian Islamic Affairs Supreme Council stepped in to solve Somali Afar dispute. Under the auspices of Sheikh Ibrahim Tufa, the Chairman of the Ethiopian Affairs Supreme Council, Afar and Somali leaders met. They formed a committee to resolve the conflict. But clashes erupted between the two communities after that.
It remains to be seen if the two sides will be able to find a lasting solution to this decade-long problem after this agreement.
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