Deadly clashes between armed forces in southern Ethiopia have driven tens of thousands of people into neighbouring Kenya. The violence, which began on October 18, has resulted in an influx of around 50,000 people, according to local authorities. The conflict is between two communities, the Ethiopian Somalis and the Oromos, who are fighting over control of the town of Moyale. Moyale is a border town, and the fighting has caused significant displacement.
The conflict monitor ACLED has reported several deaths in the clashes, although the exact toll remains difficult to establish. Many people have fled the area, with some reporting that they saw dead bodies along the way. Beshir Dadie Tufa, a 51-year-old father of three missing children, fled Ethiopia and told AFP that the fighting "just won't stop, it's going on daily." He added that many people are dying, and his children are still missing.
The influx of displaced people is straining resources in the Kenyan county where two-thirds of residents live below the poverty line. At least 11,000 displaced people, mainly women and children, are sheltering in temporary sites, mostly schools, according to the UN refugee agency (UNHCR). Others are being hosted by local communities. The Kenyan Red Cross said that stray bullets had killed three people in Kenya and wounded 20 others.
The conflict in southern Ethiopia is part of a larger pattern of violence along the country's borders. Ethiopia, Africa's second most populous country with around 130 million people, is grappling with multiple armed conflicts, particularly along borders between its states. The country's federal government has been focused on fighting in Tigray, hundreds of kilometres to the north, which has exacerbated the clashes in the south.
According to Halima Hussein, a 28-year-old mother of three who fled Ethiopia, her family has suffered greatly. She reported that their houses were torched, and they have no food. AFP journalists on the Kenyan side of the border could still hear heavy artillery fire on Monday, indicating that the conflict is ongoing.
Africa analyst Edward Bach, from risk consultancy Verisk Maplecroft, warned that Ethiopia's federal government was neglecting the southern conflict. He stated that this neglect has facilitated the steady deterioration of the situation. The government's focus on fighting in Tigray has diverted attention away from the southern conflict, which has led to an escalation of violence.
The situation for those displaced is dire, with many in need of aid. The UNHCR and other aid agencies are working to provide assistance, but the situation remains challenging. With the conflict showing no signs of abating, it is unclear when those displaced will be able to safely return home. The international community is closely watching the situation, and there are concerns about the humanitarian implications of the ongoing conflict.
Key points
- 50,000 people have been displaced by the conflict in southern Ethiopia.
- The conflict is between the Ethiopian Somalis and the Oromos over control of the town of Moyale.
- The situation for those displaced is dire, with many in need of aid.
