At least 102 people have been killed in massacre in western Ethiopia following the visit of Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on Wednesday December 23rd.

The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission disclosed this in a statement.

The Associated Press report indicated that the killings happened on Wednesday in the Metekel zone just after Abiy’s visit in the region where he spoke about the need to bring to justice those responsible for the recent attacks.

Ethnic tensions are a major challenge in Ethiopia with more than 80 ethnic groups across the country.

The violence between groups caused by tussle over land and other resources has forced thousands of people to flee their homes.

The recent attack in Metekel zone of Benishangul-Gumuz region left some people in remote villages on Wednesday evening still in shock.

The death toll is believed to have risen to above 200 according to Belete Molla, head of the National Movement of Amhara political party.

The most recent previous attack in the area was on 14 November, when gunmen targeted a bus and killed 34 people.

Even before the Tigray war erupted last month, Abiy’s government had been grappling with rising insecurity in many parts of the country.

Commenting on the matter, the ruling party in the region, the Benishangul-Gumuz Prosperity Party in a statement described the tragedy as a “horrifying crime” committed by the armed bandits.