Ethiopia: Attacks on Gambela Region and Western Oromia

 Ethiopia Insight published on 19 June 2022 a commentary titled "Oromia Carnage Spreads to Gambela" by Ermias Tasfaye, Ethiopia Insight reporter, and Abel Tasfaye, teacher at private colleges in western Ethiopia.

The authors charge that the Oromo Liberation Army and Gambela Liberation Front killed hundreds of people in Gambela Region.  The killings reflect Nuer and Anuak antagonism and an effort to defeat the ruling Prosperity Party.  There were also attacks on towns in western Oromia.  

Ethiopia: Gambellan Solutions for Gambellan Problems

Ethiopia Insight posted on 17 April 2019 a commentary titled "Gambellan Solutions for Gambellan Problems" by Okello Miru, field coordinator for the Carter Center in Gambella.

The author argues that the residents of Gambella need more access to loans from the Development Bank of Ethiopia to develop the agricultural land in Gambella and to compete with large, foreign agricultural projects.

Conflict Across the Ethiopia-South Sudan Border

The Washington-based Wilson Center published in November 2017 a policy brief titled "Mitigating Cross-Border Conflicts along the Ethiopia-South Sudan Border" and a longer study titled "Cross-Border Intergroup Conflicts in the Horn of Africa: A Case Study of Ethiopia-South Sudan Borderland People" both by Tasew Gashaw, Southern Voices Network for Peacebuilding Scholar.

The author analyzes the issues facing the people who live along the porous 543-mile long border between Ethiopia and South Sudan. They face cross-border intergroup conflict that is exacerbated by South Sudan's instability, low economic inclusion in Ethiopia, and border insurgents who engage in illicit trade, child abduction, cattle rustling, and arms smuggling.

Ethiopia: Security Problem in Gambela Region

The Sudan Tribune published on 18 April 2016 an article titled "Ethiopia Launches Military Action against S. Sudan's Murle Group" by Tesfa-Alem Tekle. The Guardian published on 20 April 2016 an article titled "'Unbridled Violence' in Gambella Leaves Ethiopia Searching for Answers" by William Davison.

Both articles provide good back ground information on the unprovoked attack by Murle tribesmen from South Sudan against predominantly Nuer living in Gambela Region of Ethiopia. Ethiopia has said it is prepared to take military action against the Murle.

Leaked World Bank Report and Villagization in Ethiopia

The International Consortium of Investigative Journalists published on  20 January 2015 a story titled "Leaked Report Says World Bank Violated Own Rules in Ethiopia" by Sasha Chavkin.

The full World Bank report is available in the web posting.  The issue concerns Anuak people in Gambella region of Ethiopia who were resettled, allegedly forcibly, in order to make room for large agricultural investment projects.  The World Bank contributed to the funding of the program, known as villagization, which ended in 2013. 

Ethiopia's Villagization Program

Human Rights Watch issued a highly critical press release on 16 January 2012 concerning Ethiopia's villagization program. It alleged that the government is forceably relocating about 70,000 people from western Gambella to new villages that lack adequate facilities. You can read the entire press release titled "Ethiopia: Forced Relocations Bring Hunger, Hardship".

The government of Ethiopia has denied the charges. A 17 July 2012 Reuters article by Aaron Maasho titled "Ethiopia Forcing Thousands Off Land--US Rights Group" quoted government spokesman Bereket Simon: "There is no evidence to back the claim. This programme is taking place with the full preparation and participation of regional authorities, the government and residents." The government added that the program is intended to lease land for purposes of technology transfer and to boost agricultural production.