Inter-ethnic violence in Ethiopia’s Somali Regional State, 2017 - 2018

Abstract

This research memo reviews 2 recent inter-ethnic conflicts in the northern part of Ethiopia’s Somali Regional State ( SRS). The first between the Gerri and Jarso provides a window into complicated Oromo-Somali relations, which had spiralled into full confrontation by the end of 2017. The second case is more short-lived, consisting of targeted violence against highlanders or habeshi in Jigjiga by Somali youth gangs on 4 August 2018. Although different in nature, both examples point to the need to understand inter-group relations historically, the way in which shifts in national politics impact on local ethnic politics and how leaders capitalise on political uncertainty to further their agenda with violent means. Ethnic federalism, which ties defined ethnic communities to particular territories proves to be a volatile constitutional construct during political transition This work is part of the Conflict Research Programme managed by the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) and funded by the UK Department for International Development