Ethiopia’s Gambella regional state declared an indefinite curfew amid the ongoing unrest caused by clashes between its major ethnic groups.
In a statement the regional government issued on Thursday said the new regulations include a region-wide curfew from 8:00 PM to 6:00am local time and during those hours no one is allowed to move except authorized security personnel.
It is in effect as of Wednesday in all the areas, including Gambella city, where there had been a security problem. No timeline is provided as to when it is ending.
A few days ago the region introduced restriction of vehicle movement after 7 p.m. local time. It also announced that no person is allowed to carry a gun except authorised security officials.
Eyewitnesses told APA that at least 100 people were killed during the latest round of clashes between major ethnic Nuer and Anuak groups.
Service delivery has been disrupted as government offices and banks have been closed since last week.
Intag and Abol districts as well as Gambella city, seat of the regional government, were affected by the violence after Gambella’s police chief, Umod Ujulu was killed.
The regional government requested the deployment of a federal police force and the Ethiopian defense force. These forces were deployed on Monday and service delivery resumed since then.
Security forces have been making arrests in connection with the security situation. Those arrested were allegedly involved in the conflict. However, the number of suspects arrested so far is unspecified.
There had been a recurring conflict – with ethnic character between Nuer and Anuak ethnic groups – in the region.
MG/as/APA