Inter-ethnic conflict and violence continue to lead to large scale displacement in Ethiopia. In a report that was released by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) indicated that the number of people internally displaced has continued to grow and the figure has increased from two million to 2.33 million people displaced. Ethnic Violence is said to be the major cause for the displacement. These conflicts have caused some 1.4 million Ethiopians to leave their homes since the start of the year.
Last week it was reported that dozens of civilians were shot dead in ethnic clashes in northern Amhara state. The attack was described as retaliation for earlier violence. A statement by the Benishangul Gumuz Communication Office revealed that the violence involved members of the Gumuz ethnic group and the Amhara ethnic group. The report also stated that 21 people were killed in ethnic violence in the region in April.
An investigation team made up of federal and regional police officers was deployed to the disrupted areas to look into what caused the deadly unrest. Following the investigation, it was announced that 62 people were arrested together with hundreds of blunt weapons the suspects are believed to have used in recent ethnic violence.
Following the attacks, residents of many towns in Amhara regional state took to the street to demonstrate against killings and displacement of ethnic Amhara people in different parts of the country including in Benishangul Gumuz.
