Violence in Ethiopia’s Moyale region displaces tens of thousands to Kenya
Violent clashes between Ethiopian Somali and Oromo communities in Moyale, southern Ethiopia, have forced around 50,000 people to flee into Kenya since October 18. The conflict continues daily, with deaths reported and heavy artillery fire heard across the border. Kenyan border areas face strain as displaced people seek shelter, while the Ethiopian government focuses on northern conflicts.
Brève Publié le (Africa/Lagos, UTC+1) · date de l'événement : 2026-10-18
Deadly clashes between Ethiopian Somali and Oromo armed groups in the town of Moyale, southern Ethiopia, have driven approximately 50,000 people across the border into Kenya since fighting began on October 18, according to local authorities and the UNHCR.
The violence, rooted in a dispute over control of Moyale, continues unabated with daily exchanges of gunfire, causing numerous deaths though the exact toll remains unclear. Refugees report homes torched and lack of food, with many sheltering in temporary sites such as schools or hosted by Kenyan communities.
The Kenyan Red Cross has reported that stray bullets have killed three people and wounded 20 others within Kenya. The influx is straining resources in Kenya’s border county, where poverty is widespread.
Observers note that Ethiopia’s federal government is heavily focused on the conflict in Tigray to the north, potentially neglecting the southern clashes, which exacerbates the situation. The border between Ethiopia’s regions remains a frequent flashpoint for violence under the country’s federal system.