The North American-based Anuak Justice Council issued a statement on November 4 condemning the recent violence in Gambella that resulted in the deaths of five policemen, including the State Police Commissioner. In the statement the AJC said that it was not surprised by the violence, and blamed the Ethiopian government for brutalizing the Anuak people and ignoring their enduring frustration in the regards to the 2003 state-sponsored massacre that left over 400 Anuak dead.
On October 30 a group of armed Anuak took over the Gambella police station, and released the 63 prisoners being held. The group then attempted a takeover of Gambella prison, but was unsuccessful in releasing the thousands of prisoners detained there. The two incidents resulted in 16 deaths, including 12 Anuak. According to the statement by the AJC, the group left a note explaining that they were not an organized rebel movement, but were simply people who had become too frustrated with the current Ethiopian government. "For the last two years, the families of those of us who have had our loved ones taken away have never slept or known what it was to be happy," the note said. "Every time we try to forget, we are shaken by another killing or arrest. It is very painful for us!" The armed group allegedly targeted the police station because it is regarded as a symbol of Ethiopian government authority.
