October 02, 2018 (GSN) - At least 44 people were killed during fighting between rival ethnic groups in western Ethiopia over the weekend, state-affiliated media reported.
The clashes occurred on the border between the central Oromia and western Benishangul-Gumuz regions, local officials said on Tuesday.
Residents in the Benishangul-Gumuz region said violence erupted on Friday after four local officials were killed during a visit to the neighboring Oromia region.
Benishangul-Gumuz, which borders Sudan and South Sudan, is one of Ethiopia's nine regional states.
Clashes between youths from rival ethnic groups armed with rocks and knives have forced more than 70,000 people to flee their homes, with security forces deployed to pacify the area, the Oromia region's administration said. (State Media)
