An impromptu stop for a planned interview leads us to sit in on an education session by the Ethiopian Defence Force. Regional militia, nationally known as OLF-Shene, are lobbying for territorial expansion at the expense of the EDF and neighbouring ethnicities. The EDF carry out regular lectures to villagers across Borena Zone, both to offer updates on local and national news and to rally support amongst Ethiopia’s increasingly fragmented communities. Whilst allegiance to the EDF amongst ethnic-led militias often depends on political climate, one can’t help but feel for the soldiers carrying out their orders in hostile lands. Today the soldiers are treated well and offered food and water as compensation for their time. They politely decline, instead picking up arms and moving out to the next village for a repeat of the morning session.
