13-Year-Old Girl Killed Following Flag Dispute in Moyale, Borana

A 13-year-old girl was killed in Moyale town, Borana zone of the Oromia region, following a dispute over the raising of a Somali regional state flag. On October 18, the opening of a new Somali regional administration office in the town sparked an exchange of gunfire between Somali regional forces and Oromia local militias. Residents reported that the child was shot and killed instantly during the commotion.

The incident triggered protests in Moyale, leading to the blockage of transport services and the closure of businesses on Monday. While local Oromia residents accuse the Somali Region Police of firing the fatal shot, residents from the Somali side claim the girl was killed in crossfire between the two armed factions. The dispute highlights the ongoing tensions regarding regional administrative boundaries and symbols in border areas.