Fresh Clashes Erupt in Moyale After Killing of 13-Year-Old Girl Over Regional Flag
Fresh clashes have erupted in Moyale on the Kenya-Ethiopia border, reportedly between Oromo and Somali communities, following the alleged killing of a 13-year-old girl in a dispute over the hoisting of a regional flag.
Initial reports on Thursday morning indicate that clashes broke out in the Chamuq area, with several people feared injured and several buildings reportedly set ablaze.
How It Started
The latest violence comes three days after a girl was shot dead during an altercation over the opening of an administrative office and the raising of the regional flag.
The circumstances surrounding the girl’s death remain disputed, with some residents reportedly accusing the area police of shooting her, while others claim she was killed in crossfire.
The girl’s death sparked protests in Moyale on the Ethiopian side, with residents demanding justice and action over longstanding disputes concerning the administration and ownership of contested areas.
Transport Suspended, Businesses Closed
As protests intensified, transport services between Moyale and Addis Ababa, as well as Moyale and Nairobi, were reportedly suspended on October 19 and 20 as tensions flared.
Witness accounts further indicate that the tensions resulted in the closure of businesses and several schools in the affected areas.
Flag Taken Down, Counter-Protests Follow
Local elders and security officials are said to have reached an agreement on October 20 to remove the Somali Regional State flag from the disputed office.
The flag was subsequently taken down on October 21, but the move triggered counter-protests among some of the residents in Kebele.
Fears of Wider Violence
The latest clashes have also raised concerns that the violence could spread to other areas within the region where disagreements over territorial administration and land ownership have fuelled recurring conflict.
The region has a history of deadly violence. In December 2018, clashes reportedly left 21 people dead and 61 injured in Moyale, while about 5,000 people fled across the border into Kenya.
The 350-kilometre Nagelle Borana-Moyale road has also reportedly remained closed for more than two months because of insecurity, forcing some travellers to use alternative routes.
What Happens Next
Authorities on both sides of the border are expected to step up security measures as the situation remains volatile. Local elders and officials continue to call for calm, but with long-standing disputes over land and administration unresolved, the risk of further violence remains high.