Dozens of bus passengers in Ethiopia’s Oromia region were abducted by armed men earlier this week as they traveled from the capital, Addis Ababa.
The incident occurred in Ali Doro, an area near where around 100 university students were similarly kidnapped in July 2023.
Details of the latest abduction are still emerging, but local reports suggest the passengers were heading to Debre Markos in the Amhara region when they were attacked. At least one person was killed during the incident, and the number of abductees could be as high as 50.
Oromo Liberation Army Under Investigation
The Oromo Liberation Army (OLA), a rebel group operating in the region, has been linked to previous abductions, including the kidnapping of university students last year. While the OLA denied involvement in the earlier incident, it has acknowledged receiving reports of this week’s abductions and stated that it is “conducting an investigation.”
The OLA, classified as a terrorist organization by Ethiopia’s federal parliament, claims to fight for the self-determination of the Oromo, Ethiopia’s largest ethnic group. The group operates in various parts of Oromia, including the district where Ali Doro is located.
The Rising Trend of Abductions in Oromia and the Government Silence
Kidnappings of civilians, including bus passengers, have become increasingly common in Oromia. Armed groups in the area often demand ransoms for the release of those they hold, exacerbating the insecurity faced by local communities.
The latest incident highlights the ongoing instability in the region and the challenges faced by authorities in addressing the activities of armed groups like the OLA.
The Ethiopian government has yet to comment on the abductions and this lack of information has left families of the abducted in distress and raised concerns about the safety of civilians traveling through the region.
