The View of the Gambella Town21
As Ethiopia moves toward its nationwide election, serious questions continue to emerge over whether the Gambella Regional State is truly prepared to conduct a peaceful, fair, and credible vote. While election preparations are officially moving forward across the country, the reality on the ground in Gambella paints a different picture — one marked by insecurity, fear, displacement, weak public confidence, and persistent violence.
In recent months, Gambella has witnessed repeated security crises both in the regional capital and across several districts. Reports of armed attacks, killings, ethnic tensions, abductions, and instability have continued to dominate discussions among residents. Humanitarian organizations and international observers have also expressed concern about the deteriorating security environment in the region.
Conducting a national election requires more than ballot papers and polling stations. It demands public trust, freedom of movement, political openness, and a stable environment where citizens can safely participate without fear. In Gambella today, many residents believe those conditions do not yet exist.
Several areas of the region remain tense due to recurring communal conflicts and the activities of armed groups. Even transportation between districts has become risky in some locations. Security incidents have reportedly disrupted daily life and limited humanitarian operations in refugee camps and surrounding communities.
These conditions raise legitimate concerns about whether voters, election officials, observers, and political parties can freely and safely engage in the electoral process.
The National Election Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) itself has acknowledged nationwide security concerns surrounding the upcoming election and has categorized several constituencies according to risk levels.
Across Ethiopia, opposition parties and analysts have increasingly questioned whether elections can be genuinely democratic under ongoing instability and restricted political space.
For Gambella, the challenge appears even more severe because insecurity directly affects both urban and rural populations. Residents in parts of the region continue to live under fear of sudden attacks and uncertainty about their safety. In such an atmosphere, voter turnout could be heavily affected, while many citizens may avoid political participation altogether.
Beyond security, there are broader governance concerns. Many Gambella residents have repeatedly complained about weak administration, slow response to violence, poor infrastructure, unemployment, and lack of accountability. Public confidence in institutions has declined significantly in recent years, especially after repeated incidents of violence that remain unresolved in the eyes of local communities.
An election conducted under these conditions risks becoming symbolic rather than genuinely representative. Democracy cannot flourish where fear overshadows freedom. If citizens cannot travel safely, gather peacefully, or openly express political opinions, then the legitimacy of the electoral process inevitably comes into question.
This does not mean Gambella should abandon democratic participation altogether. Rather, it highlights the urgent need for authorities to prioritize lasting peace, strengthen security institutions, rebuild public trust, and ensure political inclusiveness before expecting meaningful electoral participation. Stability must come before symbolism.
As the election date approaches, Gambella stands at a critical crossroads. The success of the vote will not be measured only by the number of polling stations opened, but by whether ordinary citizens genuinely feel safe, represented, and free enough to participate in shaping their political future.
This article is authored by Pam Chuol Joack, a scholar and analyst specializing in Gambella affairs.
