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ETHIOPIA-UNREST
Ethnic clashes kill 44 in restive western Ethiopia
ADDIS ABABA, Oct 2, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Weekend fighting between rival ethnic
groups in western Ethiopia killed at least 44 people, state affiliated media
reported Tuesday.
The clashes occurred on the border between the central Oromia and western
Benishangul-Gumuz regions.
Violence began when officials from Benishangul-Gumuz were killed by
unidentified gunmen, said the Walta Media and Communication Corporate, citing
the region’s communications chief Zelalem Jaleta.
The clashes between rival ethnic youths armed with rocks and knives
reportedly forced tens of thousands of people to flee their homes with
security forces deployed to pacify the area.
Benishangul-Gumuz is one of Ethiopia’s nine regional states, stretching to
the border with Sudan.
BSS/AFP/SSS/1647 hrs