At least 12 people have been killed and dozens injured in fighting in western Ethiopia near the border with South Sudan, according to medical charity Doctors Without Borders (MSF). The violence occurred in the Gambella region, home to over 400,000 refugees, mostly from South Sudan, who have fled violence in Ethiopia. MSF teams at Kule health centre have been responding to an influx of wounded patients.
MSF received 88 patients from the violence, including eight who were already dead and four who died upon arrival. The medical charity called on all parties involved to exercise restraint and protect civilians from further violence. MSF's operations manager in Ethiopia, Gul Badshah, made the appeal. The Gambella region has experienced frequent intercommunal clashes, with a 2025 Rift Valley Institute report attributing the rise in conflict to competition over economic resources and an influx of refugees.
The violence is part of a broader pattern of armed conflicts in Ethiopia, including in the Oromia and Amhara regions. On Sunday, an official of the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) announced that seven Ethiopian armed groups have formed an alliance against the federal government. The groups involved include Tigrayan forces, Amhara nationalist Fano militias, and the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA).
The alliance aims to remove the current regime and facilitate a transitional government, according to TPLF vice president Amanuel Assefa. The groups have been in talks for over a year and are confident of success. Fano leader Zemene Kasse will chair the alliance. The federal authorities have not yet responded to the announcement.
The formation of the alliance has raised concerns about a potential return to conflict in the northern state, which killed around 600,000 people. Both the government and the TPLF have massed troops along the border of the northern state, according to the African Union. The situation remains tense, with fears of escalating violence.
The international community has expressed concern about the situation in Ethiopia, with the US Treasury chief recently stating that Iran airlines would be shut down. Meanwhile, Egypt has been pushing for de-escalation and a Gaza settlement in UNGA meetings. The situation in Ethiopia remains volatile, with the alliance of armed groups posing a significant challenge to the federal government.
The violence in western Ethiopia has resulted in a significant humanitarian crisis, with many civilians affected. The MSF is working to provide medical care to those in need, but the situation remains dire. The international community will be watching closely as the situation in Ethiopia continues to unfold.
Key points
- At least 12 people killed and dozens injured in fighting near South Sudan border
- Seven Ethiopian armed groups form alliance against federal government
- MSF calls for restraint and protection of civilians from further violence
