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Remembering the Anuak Genocide. December 13, 2020 marks the 17th years anniversary of the Anuak genocide that began with the brutal massacre of 424 Anuak leaders and young students in less than three days, but continued for another two years.
On December 13, 2003, members of the TPLF/EPRDF military from the ENDF’s 43rd Division entered Gambella town and killed 424 Anuak.
The video below presents detailed and testimonies of the Anuak survivors
The video below presents detailed and testimonies of the Anuak survivors
Today we clearly understand that the TPLF/EPRDF’s intent was to take over control of the land and natural resources from the #Anuak and other indigenous people in the #Gambella region.
I never thought I would live to see the day when the cruel and brutal regime of TPLF regime, the architect of notorious ethnic federalism (tribalism), ethnic extremism and ethnic infighting overthrown.
As the Anuak commemorate the darkest of days in their memory, they are not alone as countless other Ethiopians&justice loving people beyond the borders of Ethiopia remember this day with them,but tragically,many members of our Ethiopian family have faced their own December 13ths.
We are a family at risk and as we remember the Anuak today,we must not forget our fellow brothers and sisters who are also struggling.
When the TPLF singled out the Anuak in 2003,they believed that they could easily trample on this tiny,marginalized people without any consequence
When the TPLF singled out the Anuak in 2003,they believed that they could easily trample on this tiny,marginalized people without any consequence
They were wrong. The TPLF/EPRDF wanted to single this one group out as a tribe that they could dehumanize and destroy and that no one would care; making the Anuak all the more isolated and alienated from the mainstream.
Instead,it led to the formation of the Anuak Justice Council with its commitment to reach out to other #Ethiopians to stop the never-ending cycle of ethnic conflicts and revenge; believing this was the only way to bring sustainable freedom and justice to all.
Out of the suffering of the Anuak, the idea evolved that no one will be free until all are free and that justice will never come to one ethnic group until it comes to all ethnic groups throughout #Ethiopia.
Because of this,each person has shared worth and value beyond the differences of ethnicity,or any other differences. If we Ethiopians are to survive and flourish as a people and for justice to prevail,we have to value others by “putting their humanity before their ethnicity.”
The extremists wants to single out groups, but now it is the job of all of us to not be isolated from others. Wherever these horrors have taken place, it should be shared among us.
The TPLF never thought such a day as this would be remembered 17 years later. Neither did they ever conceive that the deaths of these Anuak people could be turned around to become instruments of reconciliation and the transformation of our country into a New Ethiopia
where we celebrate the beauty of all our precious people as we care about the justice, freedom and opportunity of our brothers and sisters as we care about our own! When this happens we will know that these people did not die in vain.
May God heal our land from the blood, death and sorrow that has wounded our souls.May God make our own hearts fertile soil for healthy growth so we can look at each other as part of our Ethiopian family.
Long live this beautiful, ancient land of Ethiopia we call our sweet home.
Long live this beautiful, ancient land of Ethiopia we call our sweet home.
