VZCZCXRO4235
RR RUEHROV
DE RUEHDS #1554/01 1610718
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 090718Z JUN 08
FM AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0869
RUCNIAD/IGAD COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ADDIS ABABA 001554 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR: DS/IP/AF, DS/IP/ITA, AF/E, 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: CASC ASEC ET
SUBJECT: BRUTAL ETHNIC VIOLENCE IN WESTERN ETHIOPIA 
 
¶1.  (U) SUMMARY: During the period of May 17 to 21, 2008 the 
Ethiopian Oromo and Gumaz ethnic groups experienced tensions and 
conflict prompted by disputes over land rights, which by all 
accounts, included horrific acts of violence.  These events will 
undoubtedly result in long lasting animosity and problems between 
these two ethnic groups which have historically never enjoyed a 
cordial relationship. This ethnic conflict occurred in the vicinity 
of Nekemte; a city located approximately 150 miles north west of 
Addis Ababa.   The actual location of this violence was in the 
vicinity of the Dedese River, located approximately 25 miles west of 
Nekemte. Although the Oromo and Gumaz ethnic groups have a long 
history of tension and conflict (primarily land based), this most 
recent incident was reported to be especially violent and brutal. 
END SUMMARY. 
 
¶2.  (U) During the early morning hours of May 17, 2008 a large 
number of armed members of the ethnic Gumaz group launched an attack 
against ethnic Oromos in an area located approximately 25 miles west 
of Nekemte near the Dedese River.  The area around the Dedese River 
is known to be very fertile land with high agricultural value. 
During the previous communist Dergue regime (1974 to 1991), this 
area was organized into collective farms.   Upon the downfall of the 
Dergue, the ethnic Oromos claimed this land as their own. The ethnic 
Gumaz contest the Oromo's claim to this land, and claim the land is 
theirs.  The disagreement regarding which ethnic group should enjoy 
the rights to this land has resulted in conflict between the Oromo 
and Gumaz. 
 
¶3.  (U) The May 17 Gumaz attack against the Oromos was especially 
brutal, more so then in previous years.  There are reports senior 
ethnic Gumaz tribal leaders and government officials played a role 
in encouraging and organizing this attack.  The Gumaz attackers were 
reported to be armed with machetes, spears, bows and arrows, small 
arms and possibly a rocket propelled grenade. Specific acts of 
violence perpetrated by the Gumaz assailants against the Oromos are 
reported to have included amputations of limbs, flaying (skinning 
people alive), disembowelment of pregnant women and killing of 
fetuses, emasculations of males and in some cases forcing female 
family members to consume the severed appendage and killing of small 
children and infants. 
 
¶4.  (U) Throughout the initial two day period (May 17 to 19), Gumaz 
assailants were reported not to limit their attacks to Oromos, but 
also attacked members of other ethnic groups as well as civil 
servants and teachers. The Gumaz were also reported to have fiercely 
resisted the responding police forces.  It is reported that any 
non-Gumaz individual who was in the area was subject to attack. 
 
 
¶5.  (U) After the initial two days, the Ethiopian Federal and local 
police restored some degree of order.  On May 19 the ethnic Oromo's 
organized and initiated a two day counter offensive carrying out 
acts of revenge against the Gumaz.  There were reports of Oromo 
assailants killing Gumaz, burning their dwellings and in some cases 
burning Gumaz individuals alive locked in their dwellings.   By May 
21 the Police had restored order and the general security situation 
was under control. 
 
¶6.  (U) The four days of violence are reported to have resulted in 
approximately 130 persons killed, an unknown number injured, 115 
dwellings burned and 8,000 to 10,000 internally displaced persons. 
Some of these displaced persons are reported to be Gumaz who have 
fled the area fearing further retaliatory attacks.   Many ethnic 
Ormos have also fled the area fearing further violence.  People from 
both ethnic groups suffered loss of houses, livestock, food stocks, 
crops, other possessions and are homeless and destitute. 
 
¶7.  (U) The conflict is reported to have occurred in four districts 
of Oromo region, to include Sasiga, Diga, Gumto Gida and Limu. 
Nekemte was not reported to have experienced any direct consequences 
of this violence, however did experience some residual acts of 
violence.  Nekemte's primary population is Oromo.  There were 
reports of Nekemte Oromos exacting revenge on any ethnic Gumaz (or 
similar appearing individuals) they encountered.  In some cases 
Nekemte Oromos organized themselves to stop vehicles seeking to 
enter town and search for Gumaz individuals.  This 
residual/retaliatory violence is reported to have resulted in the 
deaths of 2 to 3 individuals and injuries to unknown number of 
others. 
 
¶8.  (U) The local authorities are reported to have arrested and 
detained 100 instigators of the violence and their accomplices. 
Most of those arrested are reported to be Gumaz.  Among those 
arrested, are several Gumaz government officials, to include; 
 
-The vice president of the Benishangul Gumaz region; 
 
-The police commissioner for one small district in the Benishangul 
Gumaz region 
 
 
ADDIS ABAB 00001554  002 OF 002 
 
 
Among those currently being sought by the police for involvement in 
the violence is an ethnic Gumaz who serves as the head of the 
Agriculture and Rural Development Bureau for Benishagul Gumaz 
Region. This individual is accused of being a key organizer who 
reportedly actively encouraged, motivated and possibly facilitated 
the Gumaz attack on the Oromos. 
 
¶9.  (U) The situation in the effected region is currently reported 
to be normal and under control. Heavy police and military presence 
has restored law and order. A peace and reconciliation conference 
organized by Oromo and Gumaz leaders and the regional head of state 
is on-going. 
 
¶10.  (U) COMMENT:  Ethnic tensions are rife throughout Ethiopia. 
Individual land possession/rights are also a serious matter 
throughout Ethiopia and the source of much of the ethnic tensions. 
This latest incident is especially troublesome given the wanton 
brutality of the acts committed.  It is difficult to comprehend how 
the victims will entirely forgive the perpetrators who committed 
violent acts against them.  Even then, unless the issue regarding 
the land is fully resolved these two ethnic groups will most likely 
attack each other in the future.  Post will continue to monitor this 
situation and report developments accordingly.  Direct any questions 
regarding this matter to RSO Addis Ababa Michael Bishop at 
BishopME@state.gov. END SUMMARY. 
 
YAMAMOTO