The conflict that had calmed for a few days in the Gambella region of
Ethiopia had reignited since September 18, 2014, ESAT's sources reported
from the Region.
Gatluak Tut, the Regional President, told Radio Fana, the voice of the
ruling Front, that 13 people have been killed due to the "plot of rent
seekers and land dealers, who tried to divide the people that lived together
for centuries." He also said similar clashes had broken out in other small
districts of the region leading to the deaths of an unknown number of
people.
Gatluak gave no details of the "land dealers"; however ESAT had reported
that the main cause of the conflict was the land grab by retired Defense
officials of the Tigrean Peoples Liberation Front (TPLF), who displaced the
local residents.
Although the President said the conflict had diminished and displaced people
have started returning to their homes, ESAT has learnt that the conflict has
restarted in small districts and towns of the region; many people have also
died. Two investors from Tepi area have reportedly been killed on September
18, 2014 and many people are still in hiding in forests.
The residents of the Region say the total number of the dead is over one
hundred, ESAT has not verified the report from independent sources.
The government had recently arrested the Region's Security Head.
Nyikaw Ochalla, Director of the Anywaa Survival Organization, said the
government causes inter-ethnic conflicts whenever elections approach and has
blamed the government for instigating the conflict. The Director said the
Ethiopian government's land grab policy has also contributed to the
conflict.
The residents of the Region do not believe the conflict could be settled
effortlessly.