Monday December 30, 2024 {HMC} At least 71 people have died in a road accident in southern Ethiopia, according to local authorities.

A truck packed with passengers plunged into a river in Sidama state, some 300km (186 miles) south of Ethiopia’s capital Addis Ababa, the regional communication bureau said in a statement late on Sunday.

In a Facebook post, the Sidama Police Commission Traffic Prevention and Control Directorate said “68 males and three females are known to have died in the accident so far”, quoting Chief Inspector Daniel Sankura.

Wosenyeleh Simion, the spokesperson for the Sidama regional government, also confirmed to the Reuters news agency that 71 people had died.

“Five are in a critical condition and taking treatment at Bona General Hospital,” Wosenyeleh added on Monday.

In its statement late on Sunday the regional communication bureau had given the death toll as 60, also adding that survivors were being treated at Bona General Hospital.

Blurred images shared by the Sidama Regional Health Bureau showed a mass of people surrounding a vehicle, partially submerged in water, with many seemingly attempting to help pull it from the waters.

Other images shared by the bureau appeared to show bodies, some covered in blue tarpaulin, lying on the ground.

The health bureau expressed its condolences to the families of the victims of the crash and said it would share more information later.

The police commission said the incident occurred at about 5:30pm local time (14:30 GMT) on Sunday when the vehicle plunged into a river.

Wosenyeleh told Reuters the truck had missed a bridge and fell into a river and that the road had many bends.

Some of the passengers were returning from a wedding ceremony and some families had lost multiple members, he said.

He added that traffic police in the region reported the truck was overloaded, which likely caused the accident.

Authorities did not provide details about the number of passengers who were on board at the time of the accident.

Road accidents are common in Ethiopia, Africa’s second-most populous nation, where roads are often poorly maintained.

At least 38 people, mostly students, were killed in 2018 when a bus plunged into a ravine in Ethiopia’s mountainous north.

Source: News Agencies

Monday December 30, 2024 {HMC} Somali government forces conducted a large-scale operation early Monday morning, demolishing homes in the Buula Weekiyo neighbourhood of Mogadishu’s Hamar Jajab district, citing the land as public property. The move has drawn sharp criticism from residents, advocacy groups, and observers, spotlighting ongoing tensions over land governance in Somalia.

Residents woke up on Monday to an unannounced operation by government forces, accompanied by bulldozers, to demolish homes in the neighbourhood.

The Somali government had reportedly issued prior warnings to the residents, instructing them to vacate the area, which it claims is public land designated for development projects. However, many residents refused to comply, citing a lack of alternative housing options. The resistance led to the forceful eviction and demolition witnessed today.

Government security forces have reportedly cordoned off all access points to the neighbourhood early in the morning, deploying a sizeable number of police officers to oversee the operation. Bulldozers were seen tearing through residential structures as distraught residents watched helplessly.

Some residents who spoke to the media expressed their distress, stating that their homes were razed while they were still asleep.

The demolition in Buula Weekiyo is part of a government campaign to reclaim public land that has been occupied informally by civilians. The neighbourhood is emblematic of wider challenges in Mogadishu, where rapid urbanization and a rising demand for real estate have intensified disputes.

Authorities have justified these actions by stating that the land is urgently needed for projects to serve national interests. The Somali government has faced mounting pressure to address land disputes that have plagued the country for decades. Somalia’s land governance system remains fragmented, with overlapping claims under statutory, customary, and Islamic laws. This legal pluralism often leads to conflicting resolutions, leaving vulnerable populations without recourse.

Critics have accused the government of selling some of the reclaimed land to private business interests. These allegations have sparked outrage among the affected communities and fueled broader concerns over transparency in public land management.

Human rights organizations have also raised concerns about transparency, alleging that reclaimed land is sometimes sold to private investors. Earlier this month, the Somali National Women’s Organization (SNWO) issued a 24-hour ultimatum on Thursday to the Ministry of Women and Human Rights Development, demanding the return of the Women’s House in Mogadishu. The organization accuses Minister Bashir Goobe of improperly seizing the historic property, igniting a broader debate about the government’s commitment to women’s rights.

Many also argue that these actions disproportionately affect vulnerable groups, including internally displaced persons (IDPs) and low-income residents. Somalia has one of the highest displacement rates globally, with over 2.9 million IDPs often facing evictions as land values soar in urban centers​.

As of this report, the Somali government and its security agencies have not issued an official statement regarding the operation in Buula Weekiyo. The lack of communication has further intensified public criticism, with many calling for greater accountability in handling such sensitive issues.

Monday December 30, 2024 {HMC} Burundi, a major contributor to African Union peacekeeping forces in Somalia for 17 years, announced on Sunday that it will not participate in the upcoming African Union Support Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), citing disagreements over troop deployment numbers with the Somali government.

The Somali government on Sunday expressed deep gratitude to Burundian peacekeeping forces for their contributions to security and counterterrorism efforts. Somalia’s Foreign Minister Ahmed Moalim Fiqi lauded the bravery and sacrifices of Burundian troops, describing their role as pivotal in combating al-Shabab and stabilizing the country. “We deeply honour the Burundian forces of AMISOM/ATMIS for their sacrifices in supporting Somalia’s security and revival and fighting terrorism. Their bravery is etched in history, and Somalia remains forever grateful for their enduring legacy.” Fiqi wrote in a social media post.

Burundi’s decision to withdraw follows a failure to reach consensus on troop allocations for the leaner AUSSOM framework. Burundi, which once deployed 5,432 troops at the height of AMISOM operations, cited concerns over the limited role it would be allowed to play in the new mission. According to reports, began scaling back its presence as part of the ATMIS withdrawal plan. In December 2024, 734 Burundian troops returned home as part of the second phase of the ATMIS drawdown mandated by UN Security Council Resolution 2710.

In a statement issued by the Burundian Embassy in Addis Ababa, Burundi’s Permanent Representative to the African Union, Willy Nyamitwe, revealed that he held a phone call with Djibouti’s Permanent Representative to the AU, Eybe Abdi, who chairs the AU Peace and Security Council for December 2024, to communicate Burundi’s “unfortunate non-participation” and discuss possible ways forward.

On Friday, the United Nations Security Council authorized AUSSOM to replace ATMIS, which concludes its mandate at the end of December 2024. AUSSOM will deploy up to 12,626 personnel, including 1,040 police officers, to support Somali-led operations against al-Shabaab, strengthen stabilization efforts, and facilitate humanitarian assistance.

Somalia has framed the transition as an opportunity to assert greater sovereignty, securing bilateral agreements to deploy 11,000 troops. However, it faces logistical and financial challenges, including reliance on a hybrid funding model that splits costs between UN-assessed contributions (75%) and the African Union and other partners (25%).

While Burundi steps away from the mission, Ethiopia’s participation in AUSSOM remains uncertain due to simmering tensions with Somalia. Disputes stem from Ethiopia’s agreement with Somaliland over Red Sea port access, which Somalia views as a violation of its territorial integrity. Recent clashes in Jubaland and allegations of Ethiopian arms smuggling have exacerbated mistrust.

Although Turkey brokered the Ankara Declaration in December, aimed at resolving disputes, recent clashes in Jubaland and allegations of Ethiopian arms smuggling have deepened mistrust. Somali officials have suggested that Ethiopian troops might be excluded from AUSSOM, with their roles potentially filled by forces from other countries such as Egypt.

The backdrop to these regional dynamics is Somalia’s relentless battle with al-Shabaab, a group that continues to launch deadly attacks across the region. AUSSOM’s success hinges on maintaining momentum in counterterrorism efforts, bolstered by international partnerships and Somali-led initiatives.

To mitigate these risks, Somalia said it had secured bilateral agreements ensuring the deployment of 11,000 troops for AUSSOM deployment. “This commitment addresses potential security vacuums while sustaining progress in the fight against al-Shabaab,” Somalia’s Deputy UN Envoy Mohamed Yusuf told the UN Security Council.

Source Hiiraan online