Addis Abeba– Somaliland and Ethiopian officials have reached an agreement to end hostilities in Dacawalay kebele, Harshin district, Somali Regional State, and to resolve the conflict through “peaceful and sustainable means.” The agreement, announced by Somaliland’s Ministry of Interior, comes after deadly clashes over a land dispute that claimed dozens of lives.
The agreement was finalized during a meeting held in Jigjiga, the capital of Somali Regional State, between a Somaliland delegation led by Somaliland’s Minister of Internal Security Abdalle Mohamed Arab and senior military and civilian officials from the Somali Regional State.
In a statement released on Friday, Somaliland’s Ministry of Interior said the discussions focused on the “pressing security concerns” in the region. Both sides pledged to resolve the conflict through peaceful means and prevent further escalation. “The commitment is to guarantee peace and stability in the area,” the statement read.
The conflict, which erupted on 25 December, 2024, reportedly resulted in over 35 deaths and multiple injuries. The violence is believed to stem from a longstanding land dispute between the Isaaq and Ogaden subclans. Witnesses claimed the clashes began when “special police forces” from the Somali Region’s Fafan Zone, alongside militias from Yoale District, launched an attack on Dacawalay kebele.
In contrast, another informant alleged that the latest violence involved armed groups from neighboring Somaliland, suggesting that the conflict was exacerbated by the killing of Yoale district’s security head on November 20 and subsequent attacks on reconciliation efforts.
Efforts to mediate the dispute were already underway before the violence escalated. However, reports indicate that elders traveling from Harshin district to mediate were ambushed by militias, leading to further casualties and abductions. The recent violence is part of a series of clashes dating back to 19 December.
The Somaliland delegation included high-ranking officials such as Minister of the Presidency Khadar Hussein Abdi, Defense Minister Mohamed Yusuf Ali, and Major General Nuh Ismail Tani, Chief of Staff of the Somaliland Armed Forces. Similarly, senior leaders from Ethiopia’s Somali Regional State participated in the negotiations.
According to the Ministry’s statement, both sides agreed to “immediately cease hostilities” and prioritize dialogue to address the root causes of the conflict. The statement emphasized their shared commitment to ensuring the safety of affected communities, fostering stability, and preventing further loss of life. AS
