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materialised so far but the fighting continues, centred around the main rebel stronghold of Nakfa. Refugees make for Sudan or Djibouti, though many chose to remain.
5.
Somalia. Approximately 481,000 refugees of whom around 450,000 fled the Ogaden after the 1977-78 Ogaden war, or drifted into refugee camps in search of food. The remaining 31,000 (approximately two thirds Oromos) centred at Tug Wajale, have fled Ethiopian social/economic policies such as villagisation. There are a few mandatory refugees. The Ethiopian/Somali talks instituted in January are in themselves an improvement in Ethiopian/Somali relations and may lead eventually to a resolution of the Ogaden
problem. But this is far off; the most recent talks, in August,
reached stalemate.
6. Djibouti. Approximately 13,000 refugees (according to UNHCR) of which 1-3,000 are genuine refugees from Eritrea and Tigray. Remainder mainly Ethiopian peasants from Ogaden. Djibouti's relative stability, and its deliberate attempts to maintain good relations with both Ethiopia and Somalia make it seem a safe haven for refugees, but it lacks the resources to provide for them. The Djibouti government recently announced its intention to restart its voluntary repatriation programme, suspended in 1984. UK public concern is growing at the lack of a clear appeals procedure in the programme, and the likely fate of the Ethiopian returnees. (The Ethiopians have apparently guaranteed returnees' non-inclusion in villagisation programmes).
EC Position. The joint policy statement by the Twelve, issued on 21 July, makes specific mention of the Horn's refugee problems.
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EAST AFRICAN DEPARTMENT
September 1986
JC1AJN
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