The conscription of children into the army and the abduction of schoolboys and elderly men for ransom by Abiy Ahmed’s military epitomize the mafia state built around one individual. In addition to systemic institutionalization of these practices at the level of the political leadership, the regime has also unleashed rogue cadres, intelligence operatives, and military officers who act with such impunity that even the regime itself will struggle to rein them in, if it wanted to. For six years, these atrocities have plagued Oromia, carried out in silence and darkness.
What distinguishes the current moment is the growing acknowledgment of these crimes, even by state-backed institutions like the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission. These rare admissions came only after the scale and undeniable nature of the abuses inflicted on the people in Oromia have become impossible to ignore.
As we have repeatedly reiterated, these forced recruitment of children and the ransom-driven exploitation of families are not mere acts of desperation that constitute gross violations of fundamental human rights and international law, but also highlight the total moral and political bankruptcy of Abiy Ahmed`s click. The international community and human rights organizations must act decisively to expose these violations.
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