Nearly 200 killed in Ethiopia
2004-02-12 14:14
Addis Ababa - Nearly 200 people have been killed a in fresh outbreak of ethnic violence in a remote part of southwestern Ethiopia, the government was reported as saying on Thursday.
An official statement quoted in the local press said 196 people were killed and 25 injured in clashes between the Anuaks and other ethnic groups in the Dima district of Gambella state.
The Ministry of Federal Affairs said 172 of those killed were unarmed gold miners from the neighbouring South Ethiopia region.
"These atrocities were carried out by an armed group of over 200 men claiming to be leaders of the Anuaks," the statement said.
Gambella Regional Police Commissioner Kome Lolle said that the violence occurred between January 25 and February 3. He said most of the killings occurred on January 30 in and around a goldmine near the town of Dima.
Land and grazing rights
Ethnic conflict had been simmering in Gambella since early December over land and grazing rights between the Anuaks and other ethnic groups, including the Nuers and Majingers.
A statement from the Ethiopian Human Rights Council listed more than 300 people who were reportedly killed during clashes between early December and January 13.
The government blamed the latest violence a lack of "good governance and economic development," which were exploited by "self- serving individuals and opposition groups".
The statement said more than 60 people had been arrested in connection with the killings and the burning of close to 500 homes. - Sapa-dpa
- SAPA