Afder (woreda): History
The population of Afder was around 1,521,100. It was the starting point of the Bale revolt. Gebru Tareke dates its initial act to June 1963, when Kahin Abdi, a bandit known for harboring Somali nationalist sentiments, openly defied the government by "becoming an outlaw of the Robin Hood type." In September, his armed band burned the small salt mine in the district, then two months later besieged Hargele for two days.
It was reported in 1994 that salt extraction would provide a revenue source for Afder; the woreda administration was charging 200 Birr on each truck leaving with salt for Negele Boran and Gode.