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Other clan members such as Bah Gerri refer to the Awlihan, both those in Ethiopia and
those in neighbouring Somalia, as more pastoralist, aggressive and hostile than Abdalla
Tolomogge and accuse them of encroaching on other territories in search of water and
grazing. The agro-pastoralist Abdalla Tolomogge are more inclined to settle
permanently and to engage in agro-pastoralism. Pastoralists like Awlihan move with
their animals to long distance pastures, browse and water points and establish semipermanent
settlements. Even then they push further to have better grazing and water
points. This movement is typical of nomadic Somalis’ predatory expansion. In the
course of the movement, they encroach on the territory of other clans such as Abdalla
Tolomogge, which results in confrontation and conflict. Pastoralists such as Awlihan
often encroach on an area first and later claim that the land belongs to them. Nowadays
one observes Somali pastoralists pushing the Arsi, Borena, Afar and Oromos into the
Harar highlands. Unless the conflict between Abdalla Tolomogge and Awlihan is
resolved, a bloody war is inevitable between the two contesting groups when
government changes and an institutional vacuum occur.