The European Union-funded project will promote sustained and inclusive peace and reconciliation efforts in Ethiopia by supporting the Somali Regional State Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) to fulfil its goals in a gender-sensitive and victim-centred manner. It also seeks to better understand, prevent, and respond to conflict drivers and dynamics, fostering long-term peace and reconciliation.
The launch event was attended by senior officials from the regional government, EU representatives, commissioners of the TRC, as well as representatives from civil society organisations, victims’ networks and traditional elders.
Dr. Mohamed Hassan Kasim, TRC Chief Commissioner welcomed attendees, highlighting the deep and lasting impact of the counter-insurgency campaign in the Somali Regional State (SRS). He noted that this traumatic period resulted in significant human rights violations, including sexual and gender-based violence committed by the past regime. He also acknowledged the valuable work the TRC has achieved over the past two years in providing justice for victims, fostering reconciliation, and promoting institutional reforms.
The SRS has a long history of marginalisation, armed resistance, and systemic human rights violations. The 1995 Constitution recognised the Somali nation within Ethiopia, but issues such as pastoralism, mismatched development policies, and persistent violations remained. The TRC's mandate focuses on several key areas: truth-seeking and accountability, which involves investigating violations and recommending prosecutions; reparations, aimed at addressing the needs of victims; reconciliation through restorative justice while balancing Ethiopia’s legal framework, Sharia law, and Somali customary law (Xeer); institutional reform to facilitate improvements in government and society; and memorialisation, ensuring that the history of violations is preserved for future generations.
In his opening remarks, Dr. Hussein Kasim, Chief of Cabinet at the regional President’s Office emphasised the importance of addressing the past as a critical component of the peace process, stating that the overarching goal is to sustain peace and prevent further human rights violations. He acknowledged the scale of atrocities committed in the region and reaffirmed the current regime’s commitment to restoring and protecting human rights, including the religious freedoms of all citizens. He expressed his gratitude to religious leaders, elders, victims' networks, and civil society organisations, noting that the process has been consultative and that the government remains committed to maintaining an independent, non-partisan TRC.
Since the peace deal in 2018, a number of organisations have been established to support the victims and survivors of human rights violations committed during the counter-insurgency campaign at the notorious Jail Ogaden. These have now come together to form a network to jointly advocate for the rights of victims and survivors of the conflict.
Gaari Ismaili, Executive Director of the Hormuud Women’s Organisation and a member of the Somali Region Victims Network, introduced the network, which comprises four organisations based in the Somali Region. She highlighted the profound trauma faced by women in the region, many of whom still encounter the perpetrators of the violence committed during the war in their daily lives, exacerbating their suffering. She emphasised the challenges of reintegration for victims due to stigma and the lasting psychological scars of past atrocities. She stressed the importance of community engagement to help restore these women's dignity, and thanked Conciliation Resources and its partners for their continued support of the network.
The event culminated in a visit to Jail Ogaden for a tree planting ceremony and the unveiling of a plaque by representatives of the victims’ network and officials from the EU, police and the Regional Justice Bureau. Plans were announced to convert the site into a museum and memorial. The visit included a brief tour of the jail, and areas where prisoners were tortured. This was followed by a tree planting ceremony, symbolising growth, healing and remembrance. The ceremony concluded with a poignant poem recited by one of the survivors, paying tribute to the past and calling for an end to such violations, ensuring that the horrors of the past are never repeated.
The collaborative efforts of the Somali TRC, local government officials, civil society organisations, and the EU, alongside the valuable contributions of the victims and survivors, are pivotal in addressing past atrocities and paving the way for healing and sustainable development in the region. With continued support, this project will contribute to the restoration of dignity for victims, strengthen institutional frameworks, and promote stability in the region.
Photo: Officials reveal a plaque dedicated to the victims and survivors of Jail Igaden. On the left: Dr Mohamed Hassan Kasim and Hodan Abdullahi of the Somali Region Victims’ Network; Jesper Pedersen, Head of Unit, EU Foreign Policy Instrument. On the right: Gaari Ismail of the Somali Region Victims’ Network; Police Commissioner Bashir; Ahmed Naaji, Head of the Regional Justice Bureau. © Conciliation Resources 2025
Further reading
Ethiopia: the conflict in focus
For more than two decades, the Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) has been fighting for self-determination for Somalis in the Somali Regional State (SRS) of Ethiopia (also known as the Ogaden region.)
