CAIRO — Violence has been ongoing in Ethiopia's western region of Benishangul-Gumuz where the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) is located, with Ethiopia announcing April 26 that more than 200 people were killed and thousands were displaced in the ongoing clashes between the government forces and armed groups.

On April 22, the government-appointed Ethiopian Human Rights Commission announced  that an armed group has taken full control of a county in Benishangul-Gumuz, killing and committing acts of violence against civilians, while security forces could not stop it.

Clashes had occasionally erupted in the past in the region that is home to various ethnic groups, including Gumuz, Agaws and Shinasas and the Amhara. This is the first time, however, that an armed group takes full control of several cities in the region, in light of the security forces’ failure to counter it. 

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed headed a meeting of Ethiopia’s National Security Council on April 24 to discuss the developments in Benishangul-Gumuz. Immediately following the meeting, Ahmed issued a statement accusing foreign parties, in reference to Egypt, of causing chaos and instability in the country.