Another round of forced conscription reported from Oromia region of Ethiopia
By: Getahun Tsegaye
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – April 30, 2025
A wave of anxiety is sweeping through Adama, a city just 100 kilometers southeast of Addis Ababa, as numerous residents report targeted “sweeps” and arbitrary detentions of young men by Oromia regional security forces. According to a report by BBC Amharic published today, the detentions are allegedly taking place in broad daylight and during nighttime raids, with many families still unaware of the fate of their loved ones.
Eyewitnesses recounted to BBC Amharic a disturbing scene near a government-owned warehouse in Adama, believed to be used as an informal detention center. Security personnel from the Oromia militia stood guard outside the cordoned facility, while desperate mothers, wives, and siblings gathered nearby—clutching food and water, waiting for any news about their detained family members.
These reports evoke chilling parallels with previous findings documented by the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC). In a statement issued in November 2024, the EHRC confirmed widespread irregular and forced detentions in Oromia, including the apprehension of minors and individuals with mental health conditions under the pretext of military recruitment. Families were allegedly forced to pay large sums—sometimes tens of thousands of birr—for the release of their sons. In some areas, EHRC said, “detentions were happening outside of legal frameworks,” and, upon realizing this, certain defense force officials had stepped in to facilitate releases.
That earlier report also included testimony of Oromia militia members apprehending individuals to meet “informal recruitment quotas”—a detail now echoed in Adama. One resident told BBC Amharic today: “The leaders have been told how many people are expected of them; so they just round up whoever they find. To meet their assigned quotas, they even arrest shoe shiners working on the streets.”
Others described extortion-like tactics, including being forced to “bring three others” to secure their own release, an act disturbingly reminiscent of chain recruitment under duress. “If you want to be released, they ask you to pay,” said one resident. Another explained, “They were asked to pay tens of thousands of birr as a bribe. Then, to be released, they had to find three other people to replace them.”
The ongoing pattern of arbitrary arrests—unaccompanied by warrants or explanations—has led many young people to live in a state of constant dread. Several residents reported carrying cash daily in fear of being detained and needing to “buy” their way out.
Despite repeated efforts by both BBC Amharic and BBC Afaan Oromo to obtain official comment, neither the Adama city administration, the Oromia regional government, nor the Ethiopian federal government has responded to the allegations.
With fears mounting and public trust deteriorating, civil rights advocates are calling for immediate independent investigations into both the ongoing and previously reported forced detentions. The EHRC’s 2024 findings already cast a long shadow over regional security practices—and the unfolding events in Adama may be part of a broader, troubling pattern of abuse.
__
Subscribe : https://borkena.com/subscribe-borkena/
Join our Telegram Channel : t.me/borkena
Like borkena on Facebook
Add your business to Ethiopian Business Listing / Ethiopian Business Directory Business Listing Toronto
Join the conversation. Follow us on X (Formerly Twitter) @zborkena to get the latest Ethiopian News updates regularly. Subscribe to YouTube channel To share information or for submission, send e-mail to info@borkena.com