Moyale (HN24) – Moyale has experienced another night of a heavy fighting after Militia from the Oromo Regional State continued their assault on the Somali side of the strategic city of Moyale.
Reports Hornnews24 received from Moyale indicate that the last night’s Oromo Militia attack appeared to focus on targets near the center of the city where the Somali Regional State’s local government offices are located. Reports also say that sounds of heavy artillery could be heard in the area as well as huge explosions.
People in Moyale are saying that the Oromo militia is trying to take over the Somali side of Moyale from the Somali Regional State. Since the Oromo militia offensive began in early October, Moyale faced a serious security and humanitarian crisis. Thousands of families have fled their homes and crossed into Kenya.
The current immediate escalation in Moyale began following disagreements over the establishment of a Somali Regional State’s administrative office and the raising of the Somali Regional State’s flag in the Somali side of Moyale.
The federal government of Ethiopia should immediately initiate negotiations involving Oromo and Somali Regional State leaders, Somali and Oromo traditional elders, and community representatives of both sides. History teaches us that military confrontation cannot permanently resolve disagreements over territorial administration.
