Since the outbreak of full-scale armed conflict in the region on December 9, civilians in the Nuer Zone have been effectively isolated due to roadblocks established by an armed Anyuak group in the Abol district.
For over a month, until approximately January 5, there was no civilian passage—allowing neither exit from nor entry into the Nuer Zone.
Only within the past week has a limited corridor been opened by the Federal police force. Passage between Gambella city and the Nuer Zone through Abol is possible only under strict military convoy, guarded and managed by the Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF) and the Ethiopian Federal Police (EFP).
\We express our gratitude to the ENDF and Federal Police for providing this critical security service, which is essential for the welfare of the people in the Nuer Zone and the stability of the region.
However, a serious and troubling issue has emerged alongside this security arrangement. All passengers traveling between Gambella and the Nuer Zone, in either direction, are all liable to pay an exorbitant penalty fee of over 1,500 ETB per person.
This is levied regardless of one’s final destination within the zone, as all convoys’ final destination is at Tharpam- Mazuria (approximately 40 km from Gambella city). Passengers intending to travel further to districts such as Itang, Lare or Jekow must pay this same high fee merely to reach Tharpam Mazuria, after which they remain stranded.
He/she who want to continue his/her journey into further should also pay additional cost untill final destination. This imposes an unbearable financial burden, particularly on low-income residents, and constitutes a severe humanitarian risk.
Some defend this inhumane practice by claiming the fees are necessary to cover costs for the federal security personnel providing the convoy. This justification is neither fundamentally rightful nor logically consistent.
The truth is that the ENDF and FDRE Police Force are compensated for their protection services by the regional and federal governments. Their deployment to restore peace was initiated by the regional government in its official capacity.
Civilians didn’t call the FDRE forces to restore peace even though they desperately need peace at the ultimate level, they did not directly contract these forces and therefore cannot be held financially responsible for FDRE operational costs.
This unjustified financial burden on civilians must be reversed. The people of the Nuer zone must be freed from this unbearable payment, which does not rightfully belong to them.

This Article was First Published by Insicde Gambella