UN reports that thousands have been displaced by the Somali-Oromo clashes

The United Nations has stated that nearly 36,000 people have been displaced due to armed clashes that have occurred in southern Ethiopia in recent days, involving the Somali and Oromo communities, with many crossing the border seeking asylum in Kenya.

These clashes erupted in the town of Moyale, located on the border between Ethiopia and Kenya, after the flag of the Somali regional government of Ethiopia was raised there. The town is jointly administered by the Somali and Oromo regions, and there have been ongoing disputes regarding administrative boundaries in recent times.

The United Nations has reported that the majority of those who crossed the border are women and children, some of whom have found shelter with relatives and local communities, while others have been accommodated in temporary sites.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has warned of the urgent need for humanitarian assistance, particularly food, clean water, shelter, sanitation services, and medical care.

UNHCR spokesperson Yujin Byun told the AFP news agency that since Thursday, there has been a significant increase in the number of people crossing from Ethiopia into Kenya, particularly in the border areas near the town of Moyale.

The UNHCR has stated that it is working with the Red Cross in Kenya and other aid agencies to support the response led by the Kenyan government.

Ethiopia has long struggled with armed conflicts and border disputes occurring between the regions of the country. The administrative boundaries established in 1991 have often led to tensions and clashes between the communities living in those areas.

The federal government of Ethiopia has also been engaged in years of conflict with armed groups operating in the Oromia and Amhara regions. In the northern part of the country, tensions have resurfaced in the Tigray region, where a heavy conflict occurred between 2020 and 2022.

Additionally, there are diplomatic tensions between Ethiopia and Eritrea, which have heightened concerns about the security of the Horn of Africa region.

The displacement of thousands of people due to the Mooyaale conflicts highlights the impact that conflicts and border disputes have on civilians, as aid agencies are calling for urgent action to address the needs of those fleeing the violence.