ONM-ABO | April 7, 2025
A disturbing incident involving Ethiopian military personnel was reported in Babbo Gambeel town on April 5, according to local witnesses. At approximately 4:00 PM, two soldiers allegedly assaulted a married couple at the Roba Hotel in what residents describe as a brutal violation of community norms.
Eyewitness accounts state:
- Soldiers forcibly entered the couple’s hotel room
- The husband was severely beaten
- The wife was sexually assaulted by the perpetrators
- The victim sustained serious physical injuries
Local sources indicate this is not an isolated case, with similar violations reported across Oromia region. Residents attribute these patterns to the government’s deployment of what they describe as undisciplined paramilitary units in civilian areas.
The Ethiopian government has not responded to requests for comment regarding this specific allegation. Medical and human rights organizations have been alerted to the case.
This incident follows growing international concern about sexual violence as a weapon in Ethiopia’s internal conflicts. Documentation efforts by local monitors suggest such crimes have increased markedly in Oromia since early 2024.
