Addis Ababa (Fides Service)- It is still very difficult to have a precise picture of what is happening in the Gambella region, about 400 km west of the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, for several days the scene of tribal clashes. According to a local Church source in Addis Ababa, “the fighting is between the Anouak and mountain peoples. We have confirmed reports of homes burned but as yet there is no precise information with regard to numbers of victims.”.
The Religious said “the local Salesian Mission and Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity are providing shelter, food and assistance for the homeless. With the Apostolic Prefect camp is being organised”.
Local media say that in several days of clashes at least 21 people were killed, but according to local humanitarian workers the figure is more like one hundred. Ethiopia has sent army troops to restore order.
“The clashes would appear to be disputes over pastures and more fertile farm lands” the local source told Fides. “This is not the first time that the Anouak fight settlers from other regions of Ethiopia, but previous clashes were never so violent or mortal”.
“One factor to blame for the level of violence is that the people today possess more fire arms ” the Religious told Fides. “It should be remembered that this region is only 70 km from Sudan a country at war, from where, most probably, the weapons used in the clashes come”.
This region is known to be the poorest in Ethiopia, “although” our source affirmed “it is potentially rich. It has thick forests and with modern techniques and machinery farming could be more productive. However it is true that high temperatures, in Summer 50° C, make work extremely difficult. This is yet another case of the poor fighting the poor each for survival”. (L.M.) (Fides Service16/12/2003, lines 31 words 372 )