At least nine people have been killed in clashes between Oromo and Somali communities in Ethiopia’s border town of Moyale, forcing thousands to flee across the border into Kenya amid escalating tensions.
The violence reportedly erupted over a dispute concerning the flag of Ethiopia’s Somali regional state, which was raised in Kebele 02, an administrative area claimed by both the Somali and Oromia regional states.
Tensions escalated on October 18, when members of the two communities clashed, resulting in the death of a 13-year-old girl identified as Diqqoo Jaataan Aagaa, according to local accounts.
Reports differed over the circumstances of her death. Some accused Somali regional police of shooting the girl, while others said she was killed by gunfire exchanged between the two sides. The circumstances could not be independently verified.
Reuters, citing a health official at a hospital in Moyale on October 23, reported that nearly 30 injured people had been brought to the facility over several days.
The official said four people died on Thursday and another five on Friday, bringing the reported death toll to nine.
The clashes have also reportedly resulted in houses being set on fire in parts of the town, while public transport, businesses and hotel services have been disrupted.
Residents have been left stranded in their homes amid fears that the violence could spread further, according to local reports.
Stanley Kamande, governor of Kenya’s Marsabit County, told Reuters that at least 2,500 Ethiopians had crossed into Kenya, seeking safety in the Kenyan town of Moyale.
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Kenyan police also reported that a woman had been struck in the neck by a stray bullet. Her condition was stable after she received medical treatment, according to the reports.
Moyale, which straddles the Ethiopia-Kenya border, has long been affected by territorial and administrative disputes involving the Borana community in Ethiopia’s Oromia region and the neighbouring Somali regional state.
The contested areas have periodically experienced tensions linked to competing territorial claims and local administrative boundaries.
Ethiopian federal security forces have reportedly intervened in an effort to restore calm, although the extent of their deployment and the latest security situation remain unclear.
Meanwhile, the Kenya Red Cross has begun preparing emergency assistance for families displaced by the violence, with an initial plan to support 1,000 households.
The influx of people into Kenya has raised concerns about the humanitarian consequences of the clashes, particularly for families forced to leave their homes and seek shelter across the border.
The security situation in Moyale remains a concern, with reports of casualties, displacement and property damage continuing to emerge.
The total number of people affected and the precise circumstances that triggered the violence have not been independently verified.
About the Author
Ahmed Omar is a senior journalist for Somali Report, based in Mogadishu. He has two decades of experience reporting on Somalia for international and local media. He covers politics, security, governance, business, trade, economic developments and regional affairs.
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