Hargeisa (PP News Desk) — Tension at Dacawaley (Da’awaley) village in the Somali region of Ethiopia is high following clashes between villagers and the Liyu Police. Accusations and counter-accusations fly in an atmosphere of mistrust. How the clashes began has not been officially disclosed. Similar clashes and “atrocities” occurred in Jaamac Dubbad, Xaaji Diiriye and on the outskirts of Gaashaamo before 2024.
The Somali Region of Ethiopia police alleged that Dacawaley villagers received reinforcements from Hargeisa. A long-time resident of Jigjiga, who now trades in Hargeisa, said that “the Liyu Police is directed by the Federal Police of Ethiopia, whose commanders acted on unsubstantiated intelligence from Dacawaley village”.
The Liyu Police took into custody traditional leaders sent from Hargeisa to defuse the tension. “That is the mistake and miscalculation of Hargeisa political leaders who deemed the situation as one between two Somali clans. The Somaliland Administration should have directly communicated with the Ethiopian authorities instead of sending elders for mediation,” said a retired journalist in Hargeisa.
“In addition to the massacre, the Liyu Police also abducted traditional elders from Somaliland who had travelled to Da’awaley to mediate and resolve peacefully the ongoing conflicts in the area. This abduction is a grave offence and a clear violation of international norms. Minister Abdalle Mohamed Arab denounces the atrocious actions of the Liyu Police, holding them responsible for the widespread violence in Da’awaley. He emphasised that those responsible for these heinous crimes should be held accountable for their actions,” reported the Somaliland Administration News Agency.
A meeting between the Somali Region of Ethiopia authorities and Somaliland Administration government ministers is slated to take place at Wajaale, a border town.
© Puntland Post, 2024
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