SUMMARY

The Derashe and the Zeyle live in bordering areas in south-western Ethiopia, with the former inhabiting the Derashe special woreda (district) and the latter residing mainly in Arba Minch Zuria woreda in Gamo Gofa Zone. There is very little information about the relationship between the two groups in general, and the conflict between them in particular. What is known, however, is that in the early 2000s, the Derashe and the Zeyle were in disagreement over the ownership of farmland along the border between Derashe- and Arba Minch Zuria woreda, and it is most likely that it was this dispute that triggered the start of the fighting in 2001.

The non-state conflict between the Derashe and the Zeyle is first included in UCDP data in 2001. In mid-November of that year clashes between the two groups resulted in around 40 battle-related deaths.