Ethiopian herders block Sudan border crossing after ‘livestock theft’
Ethiopian herders closed the main border crossing at El Galabat between El Gedaref in Sudan and Ethiopia on Thursday and prevented the movement of vehicles on the premise of theft of livestock.
Militiamen on the Sudan-Ethiopian border (File photo)
Ethiopian herders closed the main border crossing at El Galabat between El Gedaref in Sudan and Ethiopia on Thursday and prevented the movement of vehicles on the premise of theft of livestock.
One of the residents of El Galabat told Radio Dabanga that the movement between the two countries has stopped completely because of the gathering of Ethiopian herders.
The Ethiopian-Sudanese border is witnessing tensions due to continuous attacks by Ethiopian gangs, locally known as Shifta*, who steal livestock and kidnap Sudanese citizens for ransom.
The El Fashaga Lands Committee in El Gedaref reported in a press statement in January that three people were killed, four wounded, and 200 head of livestock were stolen in attacks by Ethiopian gunmen (shifta*) in the border area of El Fashaga locality in December.
* Shifta is a term used throughout East Africa for a rebel, gunman, or bandit.
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