Forced conscription into the Ethiopian army, which had been paused a few months ago following alarming reports by media outlets and advocacy groups, including the government-appointed Human Rights Commission, has now resumed at full scale.
Young men are being rounded up from streets, schools, and their homes, loaded onto trucks, and transported to military training centers. This is happening across Oromia, including in major cities like Adama and Shashemene. As in the past, those whose parents could afford can secure their release by paying hefty ransom.
The mass forced conscription is reportedly aimed at replenishing the army, which has suffered heavy losses in the ongoing civil wars in Oromia and the Amhara regions in recent weeks, as well as preparing for a potential war with Eritrea.
Meanwhile, senior army generals are busy broadcasting daily propaganda about their success in building a “professional” force capable of delivering “world-class”military victories. The irony is impossible to ignore.
Beyond naming and shaming those who scanned and distributed my “Hin Gaabbu” book
As I said few days ago, I sent hard copy of my book to the Ethiopian embassy in Nairobi as requested. The copy we sent was a sample prepared by publisher before going into mass printing hence had distinct features.
Under orders from her superior, Selam at the Nairobi embassy collected the book and sent it to Worku G., who forwarded it to his subordinate Rahel M at the Artificial Intelligence. Rahel and individuals working with her then scanned, manipulated and uploaded it to internet. However, in their eagerness, they neglected the basic task of covering their tracks or cleaning up afterwards. This sloppiness enabled tech-savvy individuals to uncover details of their identities, activities, correspondences, and even family and professional networks and send to me.
While we have chosen not to disclose this information—refusing to stoop to their level or risk compromising national security to foreign entities—their actions speak volumes.
Be that as it may, the broader issue goes far beyond this disgraceful theft by the regime. It highlights a systemic problem plaguing Abiy’s Ethiopia: the absence of data security, respect for property rights, and intellectual property protections.
No data is safe in today’s Ethiopia where even private banking details are bought and sold as seen in the rampant abduction for ransom practices; no property rights are respected where the government seizes private property at will, as seen in the so-called “Corridor Development”; and no property is protected in a system where top diplomats and intelligence officials steal any thing with impunity.
This should keep everyone awake - not just friends, but also foes. It is the naked reality about the dire state of rights, security, and data protection in Ethiopia at a time when its officials are declaring their “readiness to welcome” foreign investment in the country, especially in the Banking sector, where this issue of data protection and intellectual property rights are a matter of top priority.
HIN GAABBU/አልፀፀትም Book Launch in Nairobi
Date: Thursday December 19,2024
Time: 2 PM
Venue: KICC (Kenyatta International Convention Centre)
Its open to the public and all are welcome!
My Tiktok account @yourherojewar_oro_live got banned for unknown reasons. After being banned the even, doesn't show appealing options and only feedback and download data options. I am terribly affected by the turn of events. If I violated any comm... https://t.co/WWmej6ruBi
Taye Dendea, former state minster for peace, who was granted bail by the Federal Supreme Court, has been abducted by masked gunmen just moments after stepping out of the prison gates, according to media reports.
This alarming incident raises grave concerns for his safety and well-being. It was just six months ago that Bette Urgessa, a prominent opposition figure, was abducted from hotel and then assassinated, a tragic case thats remains a chilling reminder of the dangers faced by individuals who dare to critisize the regime.
Our thoughts are with Taye and his loved ones, and we fervently hope for his safe return.
@TikTokSupport My Tiktok account @yourherojewar_oro_live got banned for unknown reasons. After being banned the even, doesn't show appealing options and only feedback and download data options. I am terribly affected by the turn of events. If I violated any community guidelines unbeknownst to