Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Addis Standard2
Published on 2024-03-27 12:37:46
On the morning of Wednesday, March 27, 2024, a tragic incident unfolded as an armed attack targeted a bus traveling from Gambella city to Lare district in the Nuer Zone of the Gambella region. This attack resulted in the deaths of three individuals and left several others injured, according to sources.
The assault took place between Abol district and Tharpam Refugee Camp around 10 a.m. while the bus was en route. Multiple sources revealed that several buses had departed Gambella City in a convoy that morning, but one bus experienced a delay at the start of its journey, making it a prime target for the attackers.
Reports indicate that the casualties included a woman, a child, and the bus driver, all of whom were fatally shot during the attack. Additionally, there are passengers whose whereabouts remain unknown, with sources linking the assault to militias associated with the “Anyuaa” group.
Further violence was reported in the Abobo district, located 50 kilometers from Gambella city, where five individuals were reportedly killed the day before. These incidents come on the heels of escalating intercommunal violence in the Gambella region since March 2023, following unrest that resulted in nine deaths and 17 injuries in Itang special district and Gambella City.
In July 2023, three individuals lost their lives and 23 others were injured in another armed assault targeting two public buses near Gambella City. Subsequent incidents in February 2024 reported by Addis Standard detailed assaults by armed militias in Gambella that claimed the lives of two individuals and left numerous others injured.
A recent report by the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) disclosed that since May 2023, a total of 138 individuals have been killed and 113 others injured due to confrontations between communities and attacks on refugees in the Gambella region.
These incidents highlight the ongoing instability and violence in the region, prompting concerns about the safety and security of residents and travelers alike. The repeated attacks underscore the need for urgent action to address the root causes of conflict and ensure the protection of innocent civilians in Gambella and beyond.
Read the original article on Addis Standard
