Clan Violence Kills 43 In Southern Ethiopia

NAIROBI, Feb 19, 2007 – Fierce inter-clan fighting has killed at least 43 people in Ethiopia's southeastern Ogaden region, inhabited mainly by ethnic Somalis.

The violence erupted after a land dispute between rival members of a clan turned awry on Sunday, when the foes clashed for the second time since the quarrel started last week.

"The fighting pitted members of Isaq clan in Darror village and at least 43 people were killed," said Ahmed Abdi Musa, an elder who was part of a mediation team.

Musa told AFP Monday that 49 people were wounded in the skirmishes and many of them were brought to hospitals in Hargeisa, the capital of the breakaway republic of Somaliland, in neighboring Somalia.

Another elder, Mohamed Haji Ismail, confirmed the clashes, but said that the casualties could be much higher.

"From Wednesday when the violence erupted in Darror we heard of about 60 people killed," Ismail said.

Hawa Adem, the representative of the UN agency for development in Ethiopia, said there were "heavy casualties" on both sides, but did not give the exact figures.

"The clashes are a continuation of similar clashes starting weeks ago when elders tried to stop but failed to do so," she told AFP. "Clashes were much heavier yesterday than last week."

Other residents said that the Ethiopian government had sent security officials to the area to quell the violence, which had subsided although tension remained high.

Adem confirmed the presence of security officials in the area.

The dry Ogaden belt in the southeast of Ethiopia is home mainly to pastoralist tribes who often clash over access to water and pasture.

Source: AFP

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