The curfew prohibits movement between 19:00 and 06:00.

The regional government has not specified casualty figures but vowed in a statement to hold to account “members of the leadership” that it said were involved in the “disturbance of peace”.

According to local media, the violence began earlier this week and has had ethnic dimensions with at least two areas witnessing clashes.

Sources in the regional capital, Gambella city, said businesses and offices were closed on Wednesday.

The region, which borders South Sudan, has seen recurring violence in recent months.

In May, at least seven were reportedly killed and more than a dozen wounded in clashes in Gambella city. Last year the city was raided by rebel fighters from neighbouring Oromia region with dozens killed.