Getahun Tsegaye
Staff Reporter
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – More than 10 citizens have been killed and 10 others wounded in clashes that occurred in bordering areas of the Gambella and Southwest Ethiopia Regional States.
The conflict took place in the border areas of the two regions, specifically in localities known as Dima and Beru. The cause of the conflict is reported to be related to traditional gold mining.
Authorities stated that over 10 people died in the conflict that erupted over gold mining sites in Dima Woreda of Anywa Zone in Gambella Region and Beru Woreda of Mirab Omo Zone in Southwest Ethiopia Region.
Ogula Ujulu, Commissioner of the Gambella Region Police Commission, stated that the conflict occurred after individuals licensed for gold production and militiamen guarding the site in Dima Woreda were arrested and taken away by forces from Mirab Omo Zone of the Southwest Ethiopia Region.
“We have not yet identified the exact number of people who died due to the conflict,” said the Commissioner, adding that they would release the information in due course.
On his part, Ato Gemeda Keyidade, Chief Administrator of Beru Woreda in Mirab Omo Zone of Southwest Ethiopia Region, stated that “11 individuals who had crossed the border and were engaged in gold excavation, along with 1 weapon, were apprehended.”
However, he explained that while the suspects were under investigation, gunfire was opened from the Gambella Region side, resulting in the deaths of 2 anti-riot police members, 1 regular police officer, and 7 innocent citizens involved in gold mining, including women, totaling 10 deaths. The administrator also stated that over 10 people were wounded.
The administrator further said that over 20,000 residents have been displaced due to the conflict so far, adding that federal security forces are currently entering the area.
Meanwhile, the illegal arms trafficking into Gambella due to the civil war in South Sudan has become a major source of concern.
According to the regional administration’s security bureau, the Gambella regional government announced that the insufficient presence of federal security forces on the Ethiopia-South Sudan border has made the crime of illegal arms trafficking more prevalent.
Beyond arms trafficking, there are also growing concerns about child abduction, property theft, and other crimes.
Support Borkena : https://borkena.com/subscribe-borkena/
Join our Telegram Channel : t.me/borkena
Like borkena on Facebook
Add your business to Ethiopian Business Listing / Ethiopian Business Directory Business Listing Toronto
Join the conversation. Follow us on X (Formerly Twitter) @zborkena to get the latest Ethiopian News updates regularly. Subscribe to YouTube channel To share information or for submission, send e-mail to info@borkena.com
The false report from the South West Region, your statement is not true, the South West Region is the causative agent of all the conflict on the border sites. He (the administrator) is the one who started to attack our people at the gold mining site. The South West Special Forces invaded in Gambella region and kidnapped nine miners and one militia member with his gun and the next day, they came and started shooting people in their residence. After all these trials and temptations the militia defended themselves and responded to the south west special forces they ran and went back in their territory. South West Region needs to stop its aggression towards our region’s territory.