The conflicts that erupted on border areas of Oromia and Somali regional states are now fully controlled, Federal and Pastoralist Development Affairs Minister said.
"The conflict that erupted on bordering areas of Oromia and Somali regional states has now fully subsided after the discussion held last week by Prime Minster Halemariam Dessalegn with chief administrators of the regions, elders and religious leaders in the border areas. In the press briefing that he gave, the Premier has stressed that chief administrators of the regions have to solve the problem and then bring about lasting peace by working together," Federal and Pastoralists Development Affairs Minister, Kebede Chane revealed.
According to him, the federal government has restored peace in the areas and sporadic conflicts were successfully quelled.
He stated that the government is now resettling those who were displaced. There are reportedly close to 10,000 people displaced from their homes as a result of the conflict.
By way of rehabilitating the internally displaced persons, a steering committee was established to speed up the resettlement program and also ensure peace and stability in the localities affected by the conflict, the Minister elaborated.
Kebede underscored that the conflict cannot be attributed to the federal system the country is following.
“Those who believe that federalism is a source of conflict by itself are mistaken. The flaw is not in the system but in the outlook of the forces embraced by the federal system. Either one is narrow nationalist or the other chauvinist. And these are problems that linger from the past. These are backward outlooks. Conflict cannot be prevented as long as narrow outlooks prevail. This is not what federalism created."
Federalism is the only system that advocates unity and equality in diversity, he said, adding that the system has its own ways of resolving various conflicts based on equality and mutual respect.
The Minister pointed out that the government is carrying out full investigation to bring the culprits to justice and will conduct peace conferences in the areas affected by the conflict. (ENA)