Puntland Faces Growing Influx of Ethiopian Migrants Amid Escalating Conflict Across the Border

Puntland’s Interior Minister defends the presence of thousands of Ethiopians in the region as cross-border migration intensifies amid ethnic violence and instability in neighboring Ethiopia, announcing plans to register the arrivals as refugees.

Garrowe (WDN) – Puntland is facing growing pressure from an influx of Ethiopian migrants crossing into its territories as conflict and insecurity in neighboring Ethiopia continue to drive people from their homes.

Puntland’s Minister of Interior, Abdi Hirsi Ali Qarjab, has defended the presence of Ethiopian nationals in the region, rejecting calls for their expulsion amid rising public debate over their growing numbers and settlement in Puntland communities.

Addressing the Puntland Parliament, the minister argued that forcibly sending Ethiopians back would be unreasonable, particularly given the thousands of Puntland residents and other Somalis who live, study and work in Ethiopia.

Qarjab said he had recently received a call from Somalia’s consul in Ethiopia, who reminded him that approximately 5,000 Puntlanders and other Somalis were studying at Ethiopian universities, with many having graduated from institutions across the country.

Minisiter Qarjab

The minister urged the public not to react emotionally to the issue, stressing that Puntland would continue registering foreigners entering its territory and would formally register Ethiopian arrivals as refugees.

His remarks come amid growing tensions in parts of the Somali-inhabited areas of Ethiopia, where clashes between Somali and Oromo communities, particularly around the Moyale area, have contributed to insecurity and displacement. The violence has triggered public resentment towards Ethiopians in some Somali communities, with calls for their return across the border.

The situation presents Puntland with a delicate challenge. Its authorities must balance border security, pressure on local communities and the humanitarian responsibility to protect people fleeing conflict. The increasing movement of Ethiopians into Puntland also raises questions about the region’s capacity to manage migration, provide essential services and monitor cross-border population movements.

Qarjab’s announcement that Ethiopian arrivals will be registered as refugees signals an attempt to move away from informal settlement towards a more organized system of migration management. Proper registration would help authorities establish how many people have entered Puntland, identify their circumstances and determine their protection needs.

Ultimately, the growing influx is not simply an immigration issue; it reflects the wider consequences of Ethiopia’s internal conflicts spilling across international borders. Unless the insecurity driving people from their homes is addressed, Puntland and other neighboring Somali territories could face increasing humanitarian, economic and security pressures.

WardheerNews