Five Ethiopians Killed in Border Clashes Between Ethiopia and Kenya in Turkan and Dasenech Areas
Five Ethiopians have been killed in clashes along the Ethiopia-Kenya border in the Turkan and Dasenech areas, sparked by disputes over fishing resources. Intense gunfire has been reported, with Kenyan armed forces crossing into Ethiopian territory. Mediation efforts are underway.
Five Ethiopians Killed in Clashes Along Ethiopia-Kenya Border in Turkan and Dasenech Areas’ – Dasenech District Administration
‘Intense gunfire has been ongoing in the area since 2:00 AM this morning until 9:00 PM!’
The Dasenech District Administration has informed Tikva Ethiopia that five Ethiopians have been killed in the past three days due to clashes between pastoralists over fishing boat and net thefts in the Turkan area of neighboring Kenya and the Dasenech area of Ethiopia’s South Omo Zone.
The South Omo Zone’s Dasenech District shares borders with Kenya through 28 kebeles. Although the local pastoralists from both countries have historically shared the fish resources from Lake Turkana, recent developments have seen increased fishing activities on the Ethiopian side due to the filling of the Omo River. This has led to Kenyan pastoralists crossing into Ethiopia and engaging in the theft of fishing nets and boats (zatara), according to the Dasenech District Administration.
Following this, last week, discussions were held with administrators from Kenya’s Turkana County to reach an agreement and schedule a meeting with pastoralists from both sides. However, Kenyan pastoralists killed two Ethiopians yesterday and three members of a family today. In response, Dasenech pastoralists have reportedly opened fire to retrieve the bodies and retaliate, as confirmed by the district administration to Tikvah Ethiopia.
Today, armed forces from Kenya, supported by various vehicles, crossed into Ethiopian territory and engaged in gunfire from 2:30 AM until 9:00 PM. The Dasenech District Administration reported that Kenyan parliament members have arrived in the area to mediate the conflict, urging their citizens to withdraw from Ethiopian territory. They are currently in discussions with the Dasenech District and zonal security structures.
The conflict occurred approximately 30 kilometers from the South Omo Zone’s Dasenech District capital, Omo Rate, specifically in the ‘Kokoro’ area of Kenya’s Turkana and Ethiopia’s South Omo Zone, Dasenech District, Arico area.
Some Kenyan media outlets are reporting that over 20 Kenyan fishermen were killed by armed groups from Ethiopia’s Merile area near Lake Turkana.
Sources
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