Conflict and tensions on 'periphery': Gambella (Southwest Ethiopia) in historical and anthropological perspectives

In this study I will deal with conflicts between migrants and settlers in Southeastern region of Gambella which is one of the most conflict-ridden areas in the Horn of Africa due to long-lasting civil war in Southern Sudan and “ethnic” clashes in Ethiopia. Historically, Gambella belongs to the so called “periphery” which was until the end of the 19th century isolated from the rest of Ethiopia. It is inhabited mainly by Anywaa and Nuer whose territory was divided at the beginning of the 20th century between Ethiopia and Sudan. Recent migrations have shown a conflict pattern typical for contemporary Africa which is based on access to land, question of citizenship and marginalization of one group under supremacy of the other. The study is one of the results of my fieldwork in Ethiopia since 2006. In Gambella, we may find two types of conflicts, one which has old historical roots and corresponds to Highlanders vs. Lowlanders dichotomy, and very recent, which has taken place since the Nuer from Sudan began to migrate to Gambella due to civil war in Sudan