Pastoral Resources, Human Displacement and State Policy: the Ogaden Case.

M. S. Dolal Ref No. 110

A very high proportion of the population (around 70%) in Ogadenia is engaged in pastoralism. Herding activities are combined with farming activities but traditionally are thought to be of less value than livestock rearing.

The Ogaden territory was first occupied by Ethiopia in 1897 and by 1954 had been totally eclipsed. The occupants misappropriated livestock and implemented sedentarisation policies which had devastating effects on pastoralism. In addition between 1960 and 1970 a pastoral tax was levied on the Ogadenian pastoralists, and again in 1987, bringing added pressure on a population who had already suffered massive losses in successive famines. As a result, the pastoralist community could no longer support itself through livestock production and grazing land was gradually taken over for crops.

Both the Ethiopian occupation and the levying of taxes have caused a number of Ogadenian pastoralists to seek refuge outside their territory and they are dispersed in Somalia, Djibouti and Kenya.

The refusal to recognise the right of Ogaden to self-determination has given rise to popular resitance movements. Armed confrontation resulted in further disruption of pastoralists' way of life and created more displaced people.

As the author concludes, Ogadenia is still an under-researched part of the Horn of Africa which would benefit from sharing knowledge with neighbouring countries and the outside world. In addition pastoralism still represent the most viable form of livelihood and needs to be further researched.