Families of Kidnapped Ethiopian Students Face Devastating Ransom Demands Amidst Ongoing Conflict

by: Horn Observer Contributor | 10 July 2024 11:29

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Families of Kidnapped Ethiopian Students Face Devastating Ransom Demands Amidst Ongoing Conflict

NAIROBI, Kenya (HORN OBSERVER) - Families of around 100 university students kidnapped last week near Garba Guracha town in Oromia's North Shoa zone are grappling with substantial ransom demands.

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At least 100 individuals, including students, were abducted for ransom in Ethiopia's volatile regions.

NAIROBI, Kenya (HORN OBSERVER) - Families of around 100 university students kidnapped last week near Garba Guracha town in Oromia's North Shoa zone are grappling with substantial ransom demands.

The students, traveling from the Amhara region to Addis Abeba, were abducted, with one family revealing a ransom demand of USD 870,000.

A sister of a third-year female student at Debark University, who was kidnapped on Wednesday, July 3, 2024, spoke to Addis Standard under anonymity, expressing the family's distress over the exorbitant ransom and the government's inaction. "We’ve been receiving phone calls from government officials, but until now, we didn’t see any action. Our only and best option appears to be raising funds and pay the money,” she said.

Another family, speaking to the BBC, disclosed they were asked to pay 700,000 birr (over USD 121,000) in ransom. "We don’t have 7000 birr, let alone 700,000,” a family member lamented.

Local media reports indicate that at least 100 individuals, including students, were abducted for ransom in Ethiopia’s volatile regions. Reports also suggest that some students managed to escape on the day of the kidnapping, while others were later released, "identified by their places of birth," according to the BBC.

However, the whereabouts of the remaining students are still unknown. Parents of the abducted students identified the kidnappers as "Shane,” a term used by government officials to refer to the armed group Oromo Liberation Army (OLA).

Asmamaw Zegeye, president of Debark University, confirmed the incident but refrained from providing further details to the media. Addis Standard’s attempts to obtain comments from the North Shoa zone Peace and Security Bureau and the Ministry of Education officials were unsuccessful.

The U.S. Embassy in Addis Abeba condemned the recent surge in kidnappings for ransom in the Oromia and Amhara regions. "Abductions of civilians and students for financial gain must stop,” the embassy stated on Monday.

The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC), in its 3rd Annual Human Rights Situation Report released on Friday, noted an increase in kidnappings for ransom in both the Oromia and Amhara regions. An October 2023 article by Addis Standard also highlighted the rising incidents of kidnappings in Oromia, confirming a trend amid ongoing conflict between government forces and the OLA.

The families' plight underscores the urgent need for action as they face the impossible task of securing the safety of their loved ones amidst financial and emotional turmoil.