Local Officials Threaten Fines and Legal Action
By Staff Writer
(Nairobi, Kenya) — Residents and farmers in Raya Alamata and surrounding areas report being forced to provide heavy financial and grain contributions as fears of renewed conflict between federal forces and TPLF forces continue to drive displacement from the region.
According to Deutsche Welle (DW) reports, on condition of anonymity, local TPLF authorities are demanding the contributions to support military readiness.
In Kebele 02 (Zone 4) of Alamata, local officials set a collective contribution target of 12 million Birr. Officials informed residents that failure to meet the required quotas—which include specific allocations of teff and sorghum (mashila)—by designated deadlines would result in a 5,000 Birr fine and legal prosecution.
Alongside food grains and cash, residents reported that local authorities are seizing or forcing the purchase of draft animals, including oxen, donkeys, mules, and camels, to support transport logistics for the war effort. Local families were also instructed to provide young men to serve as combatants.
Local farmers, currently suffering from severe drought conditions caused by poor seasonal rainfall, stated that officials flatly rejected their requests to delay the contributions until the harvest season.
In response to the allegations, TPLF Spokesperson Michael Asegedom dismissed the reports, stating that the local population in the Southern Zone is contributing voluntarily to protect themselves against perceived existential threats. Michael added that the complaints do not represent public consensus, attributing the criticism to a minority of organized individuals seeking to undermine the movement.
__
Join our Telegram Channel: t.me/borkena
Like borkena on Facebook
Join the conversation. Follow us on X (formerly Twitter) @zborkena to get the latest Ethiopian news updates regularly. Subscribe to the YouTube channel. To share information or for submission, email info@borkena.com