§ 89. Mr. J. Johnsonasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement upon conditions in the grazing areas of the Ogaden, particularly with reference to the arrest of British Somali Akils and elders of the Somali tribal organisation and their detention in custody by the Ethiopian authorities.
§ Mr. HopkinsonYes. I am sorry to say that a number of difficulties have arisen in the working of the Anglo-Ethiopian Agreement of November, 1954, mainly in the region previously known as the Reserved Area. In particular the Ethiopians have in various ways impeded the work of the tribal authorities and the tribal police, and on nine occasions have arrested elders of British protected tribes. On eight of these occasions the elders have been released after representations from the British liaison officer. One Somali chief is still held by the Ethiopian authorities and repeated representations have so far failed to secure his release. The working of the Anglo-Ethiopian Agreement is shortly to be discussed between British representatives and the Ethiopian authorities.