Addis Ababa (Fides Service)- All is quiet in Gambella, in south east Ethiopia, the scene of ethnic clashes last week (see Fides 16 December 2003). “Army troops dispatched by the government restored order and are now patrolling the streets to prevent any fresh violence ” local sources told Fides.
According to the United Nations’ High Commission for Refugees UNHCR at least 30 people were killed in the violence. UNHCR has withdrawn all non essential personnel from the region.
“At least 200 people are being sheltered at the Salesian mission” local sources told Fides. “These are only a few of the many left homeless after the violence. We are organising food aid for people in difficulty. Many have lost their homes and food supplies. The harvest season had just ended and grain storehouses were looted. Hundreds, if not thousands, have eaten nothing for four or five days and are now in serious danger of starving to death”.
The clashes stemmed from a dispute over grazing land between the Anouak and mountain peoples. Ethiopia’s Minister for Regional Affairs said the violence was provoked by a foreign power to destabilise the country. According to France Presse news agency, the minister accused separatist Oromo Liberation Front (OLF), Eritrean Liberation Front (EPLF) and Al-Itihad Al-Islamia movement of instigating the disorder.
In Ethiopia, there are more than 25 million Oromo spread all over the country. For years the OLF has demanded separation for the Oromia region. The EPLF is the ruling Party in Eritrea, which gained independence in 1993, after a decade of struggle led by the EPLF. Recently tension between Ethiopia and Eritrea began to rise again due to failure to reach an agreement over control of Badme village which was the bone of contention that caused a bloody war between the two countries 1998-2000.
Al-Itihad Al-Islamia is a Somali Muslim extremist group said to be connected with Al Quaida.
(L.M.) (Fides Service17/12/2003, lines 33 words 390)