Gambela is located in southwestern Ethiopia, bordered by South Sudan in the west, Oromia Region in the northeast, and South West Ethiopia Peoples region in the southeast. The region’s capital city is Gambela and is divided into four administrative zones: Agnewak-zone, Nuwer-zone, Mezhenger-zone, and Etang Special zone. Within these four zones, there are 13 woredas. Based on the last census conducted in 2007, Gambela region’s population was over 300,000, with five ethnic groups that are considered indigenous. 

These are the Anywaa (or Anyuak), Komo, Majanger, Nuer, and Opo people. There are also people from other ethnic groups of the country living in the region, often called ‘highlanders’ (or Degenga). Among these inhabitants of the region, the Nuer and the Anywaa are the two largest groups, followed by the highlanders. 

The Nuer ethnic group is primarily agro-pastoralist, while the Anywaa ethnic group engages in cultivation. As of February 2024, the region hosts 386,063 refugees from South Sudan. The working language is Amharic, but Nuer, Anywaa, and Afaan Oromo languages are also spoken in the region.