PRINT

Protecting the peace: Dealing with the past and safeguarding the future in Eastern Ethiopia

The Somali region of Ethiopia, previously affected by an insurgency conflict and now experiencing relative stability, has made significant progress in dealing with the legacies of its violent past. In July 2021, the Somali region’s state parliament established a regional Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), mandated to document abuses suffered during the decade preceding the 2018 political transition and to make recommendations on reparations and transitional justice. The TRC has been operationalised and had collected an estimated 42,000 statements by October 2024. It continues to receive strong support and significant, though insufficient, funding from the Somali regional government, which faces budget constraints following reductions in federal fiscal transfers. The Commission nevertheless faces significant challenges that limit its ability to address priority needs of communities, victims and survivors, and may undermine trust and engagement in the process.

There is also a significant risk that these gains could be eroded by new threats, notably the controversial MoU signed between Ethiopia and Somaliland in 2024. Unresolved issues, including resettlement of internally displaced people from the 2016-2017 border conflict, localised conflicts and antagonistic narratives sharpened by MoU tensions remain present in Eastern Ethiopia. The MoU is also closely watched by the former insurgency group-turned-political party, ONLF, whose leaders are dissatisfied with implementation of their 2018 peace agreement with Ethiopia. Some ONLF leaders and members could use increasing Somali resentment against the deal as a reason to walk away from the peace agreement.
somali region
© European Union

Objective

The main objective of the action is to promote sustained and inclusive peace and reconciliation efforts in Eastern Ethiopia. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission in the Somali region will receive support to enhance its efforts in collecting and documenting cases of human rights abuses and in producing analysis and recommendations. It is important to highlight that this is the second sub-national TRC process (the other being in Timor Leste) to take place in the world to date. The project will also support the development of a reparation system for victims and provide emergency reparations. This assistance will strengthen the Commission’s current work and draw lessons for future national and regional TJ processes. A second component focuses on promoting stability and preventing conflicts, particularly in response to the impact of the Ethiopia-Somaliland MoU.

1. Increase the capacity of the Somali Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) to deliver its mandate in a gender sensitive and victim centred way; and

2. To better understand, prevent and respond to conflict drivers, dynamics and impacts resulting from the Memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Ethiopia and Somaliland in Eastern regions of Ethiopia.

Result

1.1 Technical and operational capacity of the Somali Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) is strengthened.

1.2 Somali TRC is gender sensitive in all its activities and mandate delivery.

1.3 Emergency reparations needs of the Somali victims and survivors are addressed.

1.4 Better collaboration and synergies between the Somali TRC and federal transitional justice institutions/efforts.

2.1 Spectrum of views, perspectives and impact of the Ethiopia-Somaliland MoU on existing conflict and political dynamics in Ethiopia are better understood.

2.2 The ONLF leadership has a greater understanding of, and better ability to navigate, the dynamics and implications resulting from the Ethiopia- Somaliland MoU

2.3 Community and political level dialogue and reconciliation efforts to prevent and respond to new conflicts and political dynamics from the MoU are supported.