57 killed in Gambella violence, gov't says

Ethiopia said on Monday that at least 57 people were killed in the recent clashes in the west of the country - sparked by an ambush on government refugee workers. Some 50 people were injured during the explosion of violence that erupted in Gambella town, around 800 km from the capital Addis Ababa, the information ministry said in a statement. It added that 400 homes were destroyed, but said calm had now been restored to the area. “The recent violence in Gambella caused by some anti-peace elements was aimed at the native people of the area and highlanders living there,” the statement said. The “anti-peace elements”, it added, had now been “smashed” by Ethiopian troops and federal police. “Although the aim of these disruptive elements was to create unrest and chaos, the situation has been put under control thanks to the swift action taken by the pertinent bodies that brought about calm and stability to the area,” the statement said. Some 56 people were arrested after the fighting which occurred on 13 December after a vehicle carrying government refugee workers and policemen was ambushed and its occupants killed. The UN refugee agency (UNHCR) pulled out staff from the area because of the violence.