Leaders decry humanitarian crisis, insecurity along Kenya-Ethiopia border

By  Kevin Cheruiyot

Correspondent

What you need to know:

• The MPs and leaders have appealed to the international community for humanitarian assistance.
• Fighting across the border has affected trade along the corridor, leading to the closure of businesses.

Thousands of residents have been affected by the insecurity situation along the Kenya and Ethiopia border, forcing members of the local communities to run for their lives.

This is according to the leaders from Marsabit County, who expressed concern over the ethnic clashes between Oromo and Somali communities in the border town of Moyale and Ethiopia.

According to the leaders from Marsabit County, more than 14,000 people have been displaced in the Moyale area since the conflict along the border started.

While addressing the media in Nairobi on Sunday, the elected and aspiring leaders, under the leadership of Moyale Member of Parliament Guyo Waqo Jaldesa, and Saku MP Dido Ali Rasso, asked President William Ruto to intervene and restore calm.

“We are deeply concerned about the ongoing conflict on the Ethiopian side of the border in Moyale. The situation is deeply concerning and we hope for a swift, peaceful end to the hostility. The conflict has resulted in a large influx of civilians seeking refuge in Kenya, severely straining local infrastructure and resources,” Mr Rasso said.

The leaders noted that women and children are the worst affected by the conflict in Ethiopia, mostly arriving with nothing other than seeking relief food and accommodation.

The MPs and leaders have appealed to the international community for humanitarian assistance and to support the government’s efforts to assist the affected communities.

“We strongly appeal to our local community members not to harm innocent civilians who live or work in our region. They have no involvement in the conflict taking place across the border.”

The leaders have also called for regional calm and coexistence, urging the communities in Marsabit, Wajir, and Mandera counties to continue living in harmony.

“We urge government authorities and local leaders to ensure that all civilians are provided with adequate security and granted safe passage where necessary,” the leaders said.

They also said the fighting across the border has affected trade along the corridor, leading to the closure of businesses, hence affecting the economy in the county.

The conflict started this month following the alleged raising of the flag of the Somali Regional State in Ethiopia, which triggered clashes between forces and groups from the Oromia and Somali regional states.

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