Gambela conflict

Last updated
Gambela conflict
Part of the conflicts in the Horn of Africa
and Ethiopian civil conflict (2018–present)
Gambela in Ethiopia.svg
The Gambela Region within Ethiopia
Date1985 –
Location
Gambela Region
Belligerents
Flag of the Gambella Region.svg GPLA
Flag of the Gambela People's Liberation Movement.svg GPLM
Flag of the Oromo Liberation Front.svg OLA [1]

Flag of Ethiopia.svg Government of Ethiopia

Commanders and leaders
Omod Mutukuye
Ugetu Ading
At least 138 killed and 113 injured due to unrest and significant property damage reported since May 2023. [2]

The Gambela conflict refers to sporadic conflicts in the Gambela Region of Ethiopia between armed groups of the indigenous Anuak people with civilians of the indigenous Nuer people, and the Ethiopian military. [3] Following resettlement policies implemented by the Derg regime in the 1980s, a number of ethnic conflicts have taken place between the Anuak people indigenous to much of the Gambela region, and other groups which were resettled in the region. [3] Following the collapse of the Derg regime, persistent ethnic tensions in the region have occasionally exploded into open conflict. [3] The South Sudanese Civil War also has a spillover effect in the Gambela region and they were frequent raids and abductions of children by armed Murle groups from South Sudan. [4]

Contents

Gambela region hosted an active anti-government insurgent group known as the Gambela People's Liberation Army (GPLA). In June 2022, the GPLA conducted a joint operation alongside fighters from the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) and took partial control of the capital city for several hours. The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission released a report documenting evidence that at least 50 civilians were killed by security forces following the attack. However, on April 2023 the leadership of the GPLA announced that the group had "completely withdrawn from armed struggle," resulting in the surrender of hundreds of fighters to the Ethiopian government. [5] Despite this, attacks by various other militant groups, and revenge killings, continue to afflict the region. [6] : 19 

Background

The Anuak people are one of the more than eighty ethnic groups in Ethiopia. Their villages are scattered along the rivers of southeastern Sudan and western Ethiopia. [7] They speak a Nilotic language known as Dha Anywaa, which is spoken by several Anuaks in Ethiopia. For the most part, they are herdsmen and farmers and they practice mainly Animism, however there are small groups of Christian adherents.[ citation needed ] Currently there are around 300,000 Anuaks in Ethiopia.[ citation needed ] Historically, the Anuak kingdom used to be a federation of villages headed by an independent Nyie. These villages were constantly feuding among themselves for the control of the Ocwak – the royal throne and bead. Traditionally, the Anyuak wear large amounts of beads and other artifacts like the tail of giraffe.

Issues

The Anuaks have many neighbor ethnic groups including the Ajiebo Murle, Nuer, Dhuok Suri, the Oromo, and Amhara (the highlanders). Their relationship with other ethnic groups is usually hostile and violent, especially with the Nuer who have pushed them to the east. [8] There are many natural resources in western Ethiopia and adding more fuel to the violence is the more than eight languages spoken by other groups around the Anuak land. [9] Anuak activists have claimed that ethnic Anuaks in Ethiopia have suffered from torture, indiscriminate killings, looting, and discrimination from various other minority militias operating in the country, as well as from the Ethiopian government itself. [10] [11] [12] The Ethiopian government has denied that its military was involved in attacks on Anuaks, and instead attributed violence in the region to local ethnic militias. [13] Others have alleged that Anuak militias have committed human rights abuses against other groups, such as killing Nuer civilians. [14] [15]

Another ethnic group, the Majang, are an ethnic group indigenous to the Mezhenger Zone within the Gambela Region. [6] : 12  The Majang settled in Gambela region,[ when? ] Oromia and in southwest Ethiopia.[ citation needed ] The majority dwell in Gambela, and few lived outside Ethiopia.[ citation needed ] Historically, the Majang lived in small, temporary communities, [16] [ better source needed ] and had limited interaction with the central Ethiopian state.[ citation needed ] Traditional Majang ways of life and cultural practices went relatively undisturbed until the 20th century, when the incorporation of the Gambela region into the Ethiopian Empire led to increased contact between the Majang and the outside world.[ citation needed ] Throughout the 20th century, Majang society underwent significant changes, including the introduction of new agricultural and animal husbandry practices, [16] [ better source needed ] the establishment of permanent settlements, [16] [ better source needed ] and the erosion of their traditional social and political structures. [16] [ better source needed ] Some lands occupied by the Majang are especially fertile, [17] [ better source needed ] and common crops grown by the Majang include coffee, [16] [ better source needed ] [17] [ better source needed ] fruits, [16] [ better source needed ] spices,[ citation needed ] maize,[ citation needed ] durra,[ citation needed ] and root crops.[ citation needed ] The Majang also traditionally engaged in beekeeping. [16] [ better source needed ] During the 20th century,[ citation needed ] and through the early 21st century, [6] : 12  indigenous Majang lands have faced deforestation, increased water scarcity, and the destruction of wild habitats. [6] : 12  Compounding this trend, various highlander groups have increasingly been migrating to land belonging indigenous Majang farmers throughout the early 21st century. [6] : 12  In recent decades, there have been efforts by the Majang people and their advocates to preserve their unique identity, land rights, and traditional practices.[ citation needed ] This includes campaigns to protect the Majang's ancestral forests, and to gain greater recognition and political representation for the Majang community within the Ethiopian federal system.[ citation needed ] Some Majang have also taken up armed struggle against the Ethiopian government. [16] [ better source needed ]

Militant activities

After the EPRDF government came to power in 1991, it ruled the area through local parties, but real power was still in the hands of the local highlanders. And ethnic conflicts occur between the highlanders and the Anuaks, sometimes bringing in the Nuers as well. [18] These ethnic problems began in the 1980s – when the previous Derg government used forced resettlement to bring about 50,000 people from Ethiopia's exhausted central highlands suffering drought to the fertile, but swampy, malaria-infested Gambela region where the Anuaks and Nuers live. [18] The Anuak rebels also attack miners and economic development workers in Gambela. In 2004 the militants killed three government refugee workers and attacked a United Nations vehicle. [19]

In October, 2005, Anuak rebels attacked four police officers and prison wardens. Along with this attack the Anuak militants targeted the police station and prison to free many jailed rebel fighters. [20] They also wounded six other men and murdered the Gambela Regional police commissioner. [20]

Nuer conflict

The Nuer have lived in South Sudan for centuries, and thousands of them fled to Ethiopia due to conflict in South Sudan.[ citation needed ] Thousands of Nuer live in the Gambela Region of Ethiopia as refugees.[ citation needed ] Despite the attempt of the regional government to keep peace, Anuak rebels continue to attack Nuers because Anuak were not happy with the number of Nuer refugees fleeing to Gambela and how Nuer claim Anuak land.[ citation needed ] In August 2002, two Nuer men were stabbed several times by a group of Anuak youth in and around Gambela’s main market. [21] [ better source needed ] Also in 2002, a hand grenade thrown onto a passenger Isuzu truck, full of Nuers traveling to Lare in Jikawo woreda, killing two instantly and wounding 18. [21] [ better source needed ] One of the victims later died in hospital from his wounds. [21] [ better source needed ] The attack took place at the Mobil fuel station in the middle of Gambela town. [21] [ better source needed ] The attacker who was also wounded in the process was later held by the army and allegedly confessed that he was part of a bigger group organized to eliminate the Nuers. [21] [ better source needed ] The plan was originally envisaged to attack the Nuer during the Ethiopian New Year celebration. [21] [ better source needed ] A hand grenade was also thrown into a dormitory at the Teachers’ training College wounding six ethnic Nuer Sudanese refugees, one of them seriously. [21] [ better source needed ] During the same day, a group of Anuak coming as far as the Abobo woreda attacked the Nuer settlement at Ochom for the second time, wounding four people, but killing 35 sheep, six cows and unspecified number of goats. [21] [ better source needed ] Four households were burned down. [21] [ better source needed ] Among the assailants, unspecified number was killed or wounded. [21] [ better source needed ] Later in 2002, five Nuer men who went to cut bamboo for roofing on the road to the Anfillo woreda in the Oromia Region were ambushed, killing two and wounding one; the survivors identified their attackers as Anuaks. [21] [ better source needed ] The perpetrators were not immediately caught. [21] [ better source needed ]

In June 2006, alleged Anuak militants attacked a bus travelling from Addis Ababa to Gambela and killed fourteen passengers, while around 40 more people were injured and wounded in the attack. [22] [23]

2020s

In September 2021, members of the Gambela Liberation Army purportedly carried out multiple attacks on Anuak civilians in the city of Gambela. [6] : 12 

In 2023, conflict broke out in traditionally Majang-inhabited areas between the Majang and various highlander groups. [6] : 12  Conflicts around this time have broken out within these areas, and along the borders of these lands and those mostly inhabited by other groups. [6] : 12 

During the 2020s, the Kwama people in Gambela have been victims of repeated attacks, robbery and forced conscription by the OLA. [6] : 12  In August 2024, the OLA attacked Mao-Komo special woreda in the nearby Benishangul-Gumuz Region, which resulted in the displacement of many Kwama people to Pokong Kebele in Abol woreda in Gambela. [6] : 12  The Kwama people in Gambela have also been victims of GLA attacks and robbery because they are settled in remote areas close to training camps for the OLA and the GLA. [6] : 12  Similarly, the Opo people, another minority ethnic group in Gambela, have been affected by GLA activities due to their proximity to areas where the GLA operates, with many of them displaced from Wankey, their village in Itang special woreda. [6] : 12 

During September 2024, a Nuer lecturer was shot dead by an Anuak youth who had allegedly lost both of his parents to an attack in July 2023. [6] : 19 

References

  1. ↑ "What's Behind Violence in Ethiopia's 'Other' Conflict?". VOA . 2 September 2022. Retrieved 24 August 2024.
  2. ↑ "Ethiopia: 138 Killed, 113 Injured in Gambella Region over Nine Months – EHRC Report". Addis Standard. 29 February 2024.
  3. 1 2 3 "Ethiopia: Targeting the Anuak: Background and Context". Human Rights Watch . 2005. Archived from the original on 2022-08-08. Retrieved 2023-03-12.
  4. ↑ "Gambela: Regional Profile". ACLED. Retrieved 15 March 2025.
  5. ↑ "Gambela: Regional Profile". ACLED. Retrieved 15 March 2025.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Ojulu, Ojot Miru (February 2025). "Conflict Trends in Gambella State (2018-2024)" (PDF). Rift Valley Institute . Archived (PDF) from the original on 2025-02-28. Retrieved 2025-10-08.
  7. ↑ Location of Anuaks Archived October 10, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  8. ↑ "Anuak relationship with other groups". Archived from the original on 2007-02-16. Retrieved 2006-11-29.
  9. ↑ Languages west Ethiopia
  10. ↑ Frommer, Fred; Lohn, Martiga (2008-05-30). "Exiled Anuak prepare to confront Ethiopian official in Minn". Minnesota Public Radio . Archived from the original on 2019-02-15. Retrieved 2023-03-12.
  11. ↑ "About Us". Anuak Justice Council. Archived from the original on 2022-10-03. Retrieved 2023-03-13.
  12. ↑ Ochalla, Nyikaw (2002-07-16). "Ethnic cleansing and genocide against the Anuak in Gambela state, Ethiopia". www.ethiomedia.com. Archived from the original on 2016-07-21. Retrieved 2023-03-13.
  13. ↑ "Ethiopian army 'kills 20 rebels'". BBC . 2004-05-18. Archived from the original on 2022-09-05. Retrieved 2023-03-13.
  14. ↑ Gatwech, Lunyjock (2002-10-07). "Genocide on the Nuer continues, Nykaw adds insults to injury". www.ethiopiafirst.com. Archived from the original on 2007-09-27. Retrieved 2023-03-13.
  15. ↑ Henshaw, Amber (2006-06-12). "Passengers die in Ethiopia ambush". BBC . Archived from the original on 2020-01-11. Retrieved 2023-03-13.
  16. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Majang Tribe of Ethiopia". www.atlasofhumanity.org. Archived from the original on 2025-08-09. Retrieved 2025-10-08.
  17. 1 2 Jal, Gatluak Ruon (2018-01-01). "Ethnic Groups' Conflict in Majang Zone, Gambella/Ethiopia". Journal of Philosophy, Culture and Religion .
  18. 1 2 Plaut, Martin (2004-02-12). "Ethiopia 'faces new rebellion'". BBC News . Archived from the original on 2023-11-26. Retrieved 2025-10-08.
  19. ↑ "Ethiopia police seek governor". BBC News . 2004-01-12. Archived from the original on 2004-07-22. Retrieved 2025-10-08.
  20. 1 2 "Police die in Ethiopia jail raid". BBC News . 2005-10-31. Archived from the original on 2025-02-26. Retrieved 2025-10-08.
  21. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Gatwech, Lunyjock (2002-10-07). "Genocide on the Nuer continues, Nykaw adds insults to injury". www.ethiopiafirst.com. Archived from the original on 2006-11-11. Retrieved 2025-10-08.
  22. ↑ Henshaw, Amber (2006-06-12). "Passengers die in Ethiopia ambush". BBC News . Archived from the original on 2024-11-27. Retrieved 2025-10-08.
  23. ↑ "ETHIOPIA: Raiders kill 14 in bus attack". www.irinnews.org. The New Humanitarian. 2006-06-13. Archived from the original on 2006-07-12. Retrieved 2025-10-08.
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