Uneasy calm in Gambela after police chief assassinated

An uneasy calm has settled over Gambela after two days of clashes triggered by the assassination of the city’s police chief, with residents reporting gunfire in several neighbourhoods and widespread disruption to daily life, Ethiopia Insider reported.

The Gambella City Police Chief, Umod Ujulu, was killed on Tuesday at around 10:00 in the morning. The Gambella Regional Police Commissioner, Ugula Ujulu, confirmed the killing but declined to provide further details.

Sporadic shooting continued today, leaving major parts of the city deserted, residents told Ethiopia Insider. According to witnesses, the shooting yesterday lasted until around 9 p.m. and stopped after approximately three hours of rain. However, this morning, gunfire resumed at 8:45 a.m. and persisted into the afternoon. A witness cited by the website said he saw “dead and injured people” at the city’s main hospital this afternoon.

Tension erupted in the city on Tuesday, December 10, following a gunfire exchange, prompting the Gambella city administration to impose a curfew on all vehicle and pedestrian movement starting at 7 p.m.

The Gambella regional government warned Wednesday evening that security forces will take “necessary measures” against any individual or group found possessing or using weapons. Federal and state security forces are carrying out “extensive operations” to apprehend those suspected of committing crimes, the statement said.

The regional government described the crisis as “chaos,” triggered by “elements who do not want to see the region at peace and take delight in conflict and loss of life.” The statement recalled past security breaches and clashes across Gambella and noted that the government had implemented a “leadership change” to “ensure citizens’ right to live in peace.” The statement said the new leadership was “working to address the security situation” and striving to ensure “considerable progress” in development and peacebuilding. The regional government sharply condemned elements “working to undermine the peace and development of the region,” accusing them of “killing people, attacking vehicles, and wreaking havoc on communities.”