The “cessation of hostilities” between the two regions has been declared by the Ministry of peace and National Committee, which was established to settle the dispute between Somali and Afar.
This announcement was made at a meeting called by the National Committee to assess the first part of its operations. The presidents of both regions, federal and regional security officials, Temesgen Tiruneh, Deputy Prime Minister, and Binalf Andualem, Minister of Peace, were present at the meeting.
The National Committee announced that “the first phase of its operation was successful” in a statement to state media, clearing the way for the second phase of planning. The declaration emphasized the first phase’s main goals, which were to put an end to the fighting, stop more deaths, bring peace back to the impacted areas, and guarantee that federal police and military forces would continue to maintain control over these areas. The statement went on, “This approach aimed to establish a secure environment for those impacted by the conflict.”
This statement was made almost two months after the presidents of the Afar and Somali regions, Awel Arba and Mustae Omar , respectively, announced a deal to settle disputes in important border regions amicably through dialogue. At that point, the leaders of both regions committed to working together to “develop collaborative solutions and jointly identify the root causes of the conflicts.” Driven by border disputes, the conflict between the Somali and Afar regions has caused a great deal of property damage, widespread displacement, and fatalities.
According to reports, a conflict broke out in the border regions of Somalia and Afar in June 2024, resulting in numerous kidnappings, dozens of displacements, and multiple fatalities.
An additional news report from April 2024 described fighting between militias from both region, specifically in the Sitti Zone in Somali region and the Gabi Rasu Zone in Afar, which left both sides with injuries and fatalities.
The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) expressed grave concern in a statement released in June 2024 regarding the ongoing armed conflicts, civilian deaths, and displacement in the border regions between the Afar and Somali regions. The National Committee, which is made up of federal officials and security agencies from both regions, stressed in its most recent statement that it is dedicated to “bringing a sustainable resolution” to the border disputes and conflicts that have been happening regularly between the two regions.
During the meeting yesterday, Minister of Peace Binalf Andualem stated, “The full implementation of the objectives outlined by the National Committee has been largely successful, including the cessation of conflict, prevention of civilian casualties, and the deployment of federal security forces in peaceful areas.” “The local population can now experience a return to normalcy and have hope for a more peaceful future as a result of this.”
The National Committee emphasized the significance of “maintaining the existing peace” via communication and collaboration, even as it acknowledged the obstacles that still need to be overcome. Additionally, it emphasized the necessity of ongoing cooperation between local and federal authorities by calling for quick action to “resolve any remaining disputes.”
The two regions’ agreement to use peaceful dialogue to settle disputes in important border areas and the National Committee’s subsequent efforts are the result of earlier attempts at reconciliation. One such agreement was a cease-fire negotiated in April 2024 under the direction of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs.