Ethiopia plagued by abductions 'epidemic'

In August, a 21-year-old biomedical engineering student named Aynalem was abducted while traveling to university in the Amhara region of northern Ethiopia. Armed men stopped her bus, threatened the passengers, and demanded a ransom of 500,000 birr (approximately $4,400). During her captivity, she faced severe conditions, including sexual assault, and was forced to call her family for ransom payment. Her family struggled to gather the money, ultimately going into debt to secure her release. The rise in abductions has been linked to the aftermath of a brutal two-year conflict between the Ethiopian government and rebel forces in Tigray, which left a significant security vacuum. Armed groups have taken advantage of this instability, leading to an increase in kidnappings as a means for unemployed youth to earn money. Many families are unable to pay the exorbitant ransoms, resulting in tragic outcomes for victims. In another case, a family was asked for three million birr (around $26,000) for the release of their 16-year-old daughter, Mahlet Teklay. The kidnappers denied the family any proof of life, and ultimately, the girl was murdered when her family could not meet the ransom demand. This incident highlights the desperation and anxiety faced by families caught in this crisis. The situation has raised concerns among human rights organizations, as the ongoing violence and instability continue to threaten the safety of individuals in Ethiopia. The government faces pressure to address the growing epidemic of abductions and restore security in affected regions.