Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Gambella (Fides Service)- “The situation is slowly returning to normal” said Reverend Angelo Moreschi Prefect of the Apostolic Prefecture of Gambella in Ethiopia. Gambella is situated about 800 km west of the capital Addis Ababa. In ethnic clashes in recent months in Gambella hundreds of people were killed (see Fides 16 and 17 December 2003). “The city is patrolled by army troops sent to stop the violence and they had to use force. But unfortunately at least 16,000 people have fled towards Sudan in the past few weeks” Rev Moreschi told Fides.
Riots began on 13 December when 8 local people working with an agency of the United Nations were killed and mutilated in an ambush on a road about 20 km from Gambella. Although those responsible for the ambush have not been identified the Nuer accused the Anuak and a manhunt for Anuak people began. The number of dead in ensuing clashes was said by official sources to be 57, but other sources say the number was more like 300
The Anuak and the Nuer are the largest ethnic groups in the regional historically always rivals. “Tension rose recently when a few Anuak state workers lost their jobs. Some of them were former army soldiers and they formed small armed groups”.
Another reasons for dispute was the UN decision to open a camp for about 24,000 refugees from Sudan in an area controlled by the Anuak. Many of the refugees were Nuer, and this could have altered the ethnic balance in the area.
“During the violent ethnic clashes about 380 people were given shelter at the Salesian mission. I must say that the authorities did sends police to protect the mission. Our main concern now is to bring peace to the hearts of the people. Schools have an important role in this since classes have children of different ethnic groups and this is where they can be educated to live side by side. Schools are about to open for the new term. But sadly many children will be missing because they fleeing with their families”, Reverend Moreschi told Fides
For the moment the United Nations Organisation has withdrawn its workers from the area. In Gambella, besides the Salesians there are also a community of the Missionaries of Charity, Mother Teresa’s Sisters. (L.M.) (Fides Service 20/1/2004 lines 36 words 413)
