Somali and Afar Leaders Reach Agreement To End Conflict Between Their Regions

A meeting organized by the Ethiopian Federal Government’s Ministry of Peace took place today in Addis Ababa, with the aim of finding a solution to the escalation of violence between the Somali and Afar autonomous regions.

The conference was attended by top officials from both Somali and Afar regions. After a long discussion, the following points were agreed upon:

1. Stop the fighting and keep the forces on both sides away from the paved road connecting Awash to Djibouti. Somali forces are required to be 10 km east of the road, while Afar forces are required to be 10 km west of the paved road.

2. The issue of the three towns’ ownership of Garbiseise, Salih Ma’an and Adeey will be resolved through a legal process, before which the national army will ensure the security of the people living in those towns.

3 – To launch an investigation into yesterday’s attack and casualties in the town of Adeey and in general the recent clashes between Somali and Afar forces.

4 – No new settlements should be made in the conflict zone, and the area should be free of troops from both sides.

5 – The Ethiopian security forces should go to the disputed areas starting from tomorrow.

Leaders of the two Somali and Afar administrations signed the preliminary agreement, spearheaded by the Ethiopian Federal Ministry of Peace.

The disputed territory has long been disputed between the Somali and Afar ethnic groups, most of which are inhabited by Somalis, but the former Somali regional administration under President Abdi Iley has signed an agreement with the Afar regional administration to administer the area.

However, the current administration of President Mustafe Agjar rejected the agreement signed by Abdi Iley, which led to clashes between the two administrations that killed more than 100 people, both civilians and soldiers. on both sides.

President Mustafe Agjar, who spoke about the agreement reached by his predecessor that allowed the Afar administration to control the disputed city of City, described it as a national betrayal of power, but would not give up a piece of land owned by the Somali people.