Ethiopia accuses Sudanese tribe of illegally occupying its territory

ADDIS ABABA, July 28, 2004 (dpa) — Ethiopia has served notice for immediate withdrawal of the armed Sudanese Nuware Lo clan from two large areas bordering with Sudan in south-western Ethiopia, which it accused the clan of illegally occupying since early this year.

In a statement issued Wednesday, the autonomous Gambella Regional State bordering with Sudan, claimed that the Nuware Lo clan had displaced Ethiopians and settled in 17 localities in Akoko Woreda district after illegally crossing the international border.

The statement also accused the clan of invading and occupying the Metar and Alia Adura localities deep inside Ethiopian territory.

Efforts by both the Gambella Regional and the Ethiopian Federal governments have failed so far to persuade the tribe to return to their homes in the Sudan.

In addition to causing the displacement of natives, the Nuware Lo clan have “endangered the peace and stability of the State,” the statement said.

The statement added that the Gambella State government was urging “for the last time” that the tribe leave immediately all the localities they continue to occupy illegally.