The vital Addis Ababa–Djibouti road reopens

The vital Addis Ababa–Djibouti road reopens

The road linking Addis Ababa to the seaport of Djibouti, which was closed by Somali youths angered by a deadly militia attack on their region a few days ago has reopened.

The railway line connecting Djibouti to Addis Ababa is still closed, Somali region deputy’s communication head Mohamed Roble told the BBC Amharic.

Hundreds of people were killed by Afar militants in an attack on the contested border area between Afar and the Somali region last weekend, a spokesman for the Somali region administration said.

Youths angered by a deadly militia attack on their region blocked the road and railway line and the Somali region President Mustafa Muhumed Omer said they were working to open the rail and road by discussing with the youth and people.

The spokesman for the Somali region told BBC that the road was opened on Thursday morning after having talks with elders and youths. However, he said the railway line was damaged and had not yet been operational.

The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has expressed concern over the effects of the conflict that flared up in Gedamaytu town. In a statement issued Saturday,  EHRC noted that there was limited information on the number of causalities and other injuries to civilians caused by the conflict. “However, the persisting insecurity in the areas where the conflict occurred and surroundings, and the closure of some connecting roads continue to hamper even regular movement of goods and people,” it said.

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