Dire Dawa (Horn Observer + Lamaane.net) – Officials from the Somali Regional State (SRS) and Oromia National Regional State gathered in Dire Dawa on Thursday, July 16, seeking to deepen cooperation, bolster local security coordination, and promote peaceful coexistence among Somali and Oromo communities along the shared regional border.
The talks convened representatives from six districts in the Fafan and Sitti zones of the Somali Regional State and five districts in Oromia’s East and West Hararghe zones. Delegates explored locally led approaches to strengthen ties between neighboring communities, with an emphasis on social cohesion, conflict prevention, and cooperation across the regional boundary.
Organizers said the dialogue took place under the Strengthening the Resilience of Disaster-Affected Communities project, an initiative designed to build community resilience by advancing local security coordination and good-neighborly relations in border districts. The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) finance the programme, which the International Organization for Migration (IOM) implements in partnership with UN-Habitat and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
Participants considered practical steps to foster peaceful coexistence, expand social integration, and safeguard the long-established relationship between the Somali and Oromo ethnic groups. According to organizers, the discussions underscored the cultural traditions, trading networks, and community partnerships that have linked people on both sides of the boundary for generations.
The officials also assessed how district administrations, local security institutions, and community leaders could coordinate more effectively, using dialogue and joint mechanisms to resolve challenges facing border communities. The gathering was part of wider efforts to improve local governance and limit the risk of disputes in areas where residents share strong economic and social connections.
At the venue, district officials, technical specialists, and community representatives took part in structured working sessions throughout the day. Delegates shared lessons from their respective districts and identified priorities for continued cooperation.
The meeting comes amid sustained support from development partners for locally driven peacebuilding in eastern Ethiopia, where coordination across regional borders is viewed as central to community resilience and sustainable development. Border districts including Babille, which links parts of the Somali and Oromia regional states, have long functioned as hubs for commerce, cultural exchange, and interaction among neighboring populations.
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