An attack by unidentified gunmen in Ethiopia’s western Benishangul-Gumuz region left at least 15 people dead, including four women and scores injured.
The chief commissioner, Daniel Bekele said in an emailed statement, “Civilians are being subjected to repeated attacks with unmitigated cruelty in Benishangul-Gumuz, Federal and regional authorities should take the required steps to enforce the rule of law and bring perpetrators to account.”
The Ethiopian National Defense Forces were deployed to parts of the region on Sept. 24 to regain control after attacks earlier in the month left 140 people dead and displaced thousands. The previous two assaults were carried out by militias comprising disgruntled former government officers, Mohammed Tessema, Director of Indoctrination Division in Ethiopia’s army said last week.
Since Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed came to power in 2018, unrest and conflict has flared in many parts of the country. The latest attacks in Benishangul-Gumuz come after deadly protests in June, following the assassination of prominent musician Hachalu Hundessa, that killed some 200 people.
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