A lack of rain has brought tensions between Afar, Ittu, Kereyus and Issa pastoralists to a head in the Afar and Oromiya regions of Ethiopia. Herders from two different woredas, or settlements, were reported last week by a Un investigative team to have left their homes, some in search of work in nearby towns and others to find grazing land for their cattle. Conflicts between the four ethnic groups have disrupted customary migration patterns, denying herders access to certain wells and water sources used in the past. Talks between leaders of the groups have failed to produce agreement on watering and grazing rights. A number of cattle and camels were reported already dead, and weather forecasts for the next three months predict lower than normal rainfall amounts.
