United Nations Department of Safety and Security – Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Weekly Security Report – June 11 – 17, 2007

* Situation in Borena remains uneasy.

* On June 8, 2007 polio campaign had started in all woredas of the Zone.

* On June 9, 2007 at noontime in Arero Woreda at a place called Dedera, the Borena and Gebra together fought with Guji. In the conflict no human and livestock causality was recorded.

* On 9 June 2007 in Yabello checkpoint, two OLF and one Sidama Liberation Front Central Committee member were caught while they were entering for a mission from Kenya. Their plan was to go to Shakisso and Ageremariam. A number of mobile phones, cash, ID cards and addresses of many people from Shakiso and Ageremariam were found at hand. These people were identified and trapped by the zone security people.

* On the border between Ethiopia and Kenya at a place called Sololo, which is neighbour to Hedilola kebele Diire woreda on 10 June 2007, report indicated that, high OLF movements were seen in the area.

* On 13 June 2007, the Ministry of Federal Affairs team together with the Moyale respective woreda officials held a meeting to discuss issues regarding on the housing and population count. According to sources, if the Somalies agreed with the team proposal, the Oromia officials may not accept it.

* On 13 June 2007 at around midday, there were clan conflict between Borena and Konso in the place called Handonegelle and Atuse towards Segen River, according to Teltele police. The reason for the conflict was the Konso farmers encroached the land of Borena. The damage, which occurred by the conflict, was not established.

* WHO staffs contacted the DSS Office in Yabello on 13 June 2007 at around 1300 hrs upon arrival.

* On June 14, 2007, a dead body was found in Gambella town at a local area called Kera. State Police was still investigating the cause of the death of the victim. Gambella town remains calm apart from this sad incident.

* A Delegation from African Union (AU) led by Ambassador H. E Lehbib Breica from Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic visited Gambella based refugee camps from June 13 to June 15, 2007. This was an advanced World Refugee Day visit to Sudanese refugees in Bonga and Fugnido camps.

* During the reported week, there were movements of military personnel in big trucks in some areas of Degahabour, Fik and Warder Zones. UNHCR staff also saw military trucks in Kebribaya while they were on their way to Jijiga in the last couple of days.

* On 10 June 2007, the Prime Minister held a press conference regarding the security situation in the Somali region. One of the key issues discussed by the Prime Minister was to engage a military operation in the region to weaken the strong holds of ONLF. The Prime Minister however, mentioned that, he would not ignore the possibility of a dialogue with the engagement of local leaders. In this respect, there were series of meetings going on between government officials and local leaders in areas of Degahabour, Korahay, Fik and Warder zones where ONLF was believed to had a strong presence. It seemed that, even if a dialogue was eminent, there would still be a military intervention. The military operation was expected to last for three months. Although this operation might not completely wipe of ONLF, the government believed it would reduce the risks of damage caused by ONLF. No information on when the operation will start, but there were serious preparations. If the operation commences, this would affect humanitarian support for people in the Somali region and may even affect humanitarian workers.

* It was reported that, four days ago, some villages of Warder Zone (Ado and Korale) were burnt by EDF. Apparently, there were meetings between local leaders and EDF in the area and during the meeting, EDF informed to the local leaders that, where ever they met ONLF, all the villages in that particular area would be burnt and this was what happened in the two villages.

* It was also reported that, in the last couple of days, EDF military forcefully took camels from pastoralists in Degahabour and kept them in the military camps. This act was a sign of punishment to the communities in Degahabour, since EDF believed that, these communities were supporting ONLF. The camels were however, released after a couple of days. This act had been going on for a while.

* Unconfirmed information indicated that, in the last two weeks the government instituted a ban on commercial truck movements especially in Warder, Fik and DegahabourZones. This is to prevent any weapons transportation to ONLF areas. EDF stopped commercial vehicles from moving around the area. The government ban was not official and had not been announced and this situation created an increase in prices of commodities, including food commodities in many bigger towns of the Somali region, including Gode.

* It was reported that, in the last couple of days, communities in some villages of Warder Zone were asked by EDF to move away from their villages to other locations. This seemed to be some kind of preparation for the military operation, which is expected soon.

* There is still a very strong need for a common radio room in Jijiga. There are several UN agencies and INGOs and the current security situation make it justifiable to have a UN common radio room. Currently the 24 hr. radio is being run by WFP. Arrangements have now been made for UNHCR and UNICEF to support the WFP radio room. Recruitment is underway by UNHCR.

* The possibility to have a local Security Officer for Jijiga was also recommended. Information on the security situation needs to be obtained on a daily basis. There is need to dedicate this responsibility to a particular person, preferably a local security officer who have close contacts with community leaders in the villages. UNHCR have now recruited an Asst FSA who will work to support the ASC and DSS.

* UNDSS to negotiate with the federal military at Addis level to ensure that the federal military commander in Jijiga makes available security information to UN security focal point, at least in terms of advice on areas to go and not to go. This has been done and the outgoing ASC was advised to engage the military in Harar for updates.

* On 10 June 2007 reported that EDF shot and killed a man who was heading to his village after purchasing some sugar from town, when he didn’t follow their command to stop. In a similar incident two people were shot by EDF, one was killed and the other one injured. The wounded was taken by ICRC to Gode hospital for treatment.

* Some truckers safely arrived Gode from Mogadishu through Ferfer route after they decided to kidnap an unarmed local militia of Kalafo checkpoint who instructed them to proceed to Kalafo town. Upon their arrival to Gode the truck drivers were arrested and detained by local authorities who apparently got a radio call from Kalafo about the kidnapping incident.

* On 6 June 07, there was a clash between EDF and ONLF on the road between Kalafo & Mustahil. It was reported that, four senior members of ONLF were killed while the number of casualties from EDF side was not known. Soon after the incident EDF left the area and continued their trip to Somalia. ONLF force instructed the local community to dig the graves and left the area.

* Unconfirmed information from WFP security guards reported that, on Friday 15 June 07, mornings about a clash in Kabridahar, which resulted in some casualties. WFP GSO tried to get reliable information from Kabridahar to verify and confirm the incident. Phone and Radio Communications were not possible on Friday and it was managed to get through on Saturday 16 June 07. According to sources in Kabridahar, two brothers were killed on Thursday at midnight in Kabridahar town by unknown gunmen and the uncle who slept with them was also injured. The incident, which was apparently a revenge killing, took place inside the victim’s home. According to reliable sources, the victim’s father is working for the government (Head of District Finance Office) and two days before the accident he defamed Chat traders in the town after banning chat selling in the town 3 weeks ago. The chat sellers who were caught and beaten up by the military threatened and had sworn that they will kill the District Finance Head or his family members.