Thousands of Kenyans flee to Ethiopia after tribal fighting

December 8, 2013 (ADDIS ABABA) – Thousands of Kenyans have fled into Ethiopia after deadly tribal clashes in the country’s north, near the border with Ethiopia.

The fighting broke out this week near the town of Moyale between the Borana community on one side and a joint force of Burji and Gabra tribes on the other.

Some 30 people have reportedly been killed in the fighting and many injured forcing thousands to flee across into Ethiopia.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and Ethiopian government officials were unavailable for comment on Sunday.

However sources told Sudan Tribune that some 25,000 Kenyans have crossed into Ethiopia during the weekend.

The Kenyan government on Saturday deployed its forces to quell the violence.

Armed conflicts between the two rival communities are common mainly over land, water and land-grazing rights.

Last year more than 40,000 Kenyans fled to Ethiopia after deadly clashes erupted between the two sides.

Such conflicts are also common on the Ethiopian side between Borana and Garri clans routinely clashing over disputes of natural resource ownership.

(ST)