HornCurrent News Desk – August 25, 2025
Protests broke out today in Jigjiga city, Somali Region, after youth demonstrated against the recruitment and registration process at the National Statistics and Census Agency’s Jigjiga branch. The tensions emerged when the agency began registering new employees, prompting widespread concern among locals about fairness in job allocation.
Concerns of Exclusion
Residents and unemployed youth accused the system of allowing individuals from other regions of Ethiopia to register for jobs in Jigjiga, while Somali applicants are often restricted from seeking employment outside their own region.
One frustrated youth told HornCurrent.com:
“We cannot go for work to other regions, but in our region all others have the right to work. We know they are Ethiopians, but we need priority, like other regions did.”
A Question of Regional Equity
The demonstrators argue that while Somali youth face systemic barriers when attempting to work in Oromia, Amhara, or Tigray, job opportunities in the Somali Region are being opened to outsiders. Many see this as a violation of federal fairness and regional rights, demanding that Somali youth be given priority in local hiring.
Rising Tensions in Jigjiga
The protest reflects a broader sense of marginalization among Somali youth, who face high unemployment and a lack of inclusive development policies. Observers warn that unless the grievances are addressed, frustration could escalate into more frequent demonstrations, further destabilizing the already tense political climate in the Somali Region.
Federal Dilemma
This dispute highlights a recurring federal challenge: balancing Ethiopia’s constitutional principle of freedom of movement and employment with regional demands for self-priority. If left unresolved, the issue risks deepening regional resentment and undermining social cohesion.
HornCurrent.com – Independent News & Analysis
