Another victim of unlawful detention, journalist and TikTok influencer Salsawit Baynesagn was held in Police detention facility for 13 days without due process. She was released yesterday without any explanation.
This is an outrageous practice that is normalized in #Ethiopia.
Christians are being massacred in Ethiopia, and most of the world's media couldn't care less.
Churches burned. Families slaughtered. Entire communities displaced.
If this happened to almost any other group, it would dominate headlines for weeks.
Pray for our persecuted brothers and sisters and demand accountability for those responsible.🙏
https://t.co/YLk4ZNNir9
Have you heard about the reported targeting and massacre of Christians in #Arsi, Oromia Region, #Ethiopia, by #OLA militants?
It is true that many horrific atrocities are occurring around the world, but it is deeply disturbing and sickening to see so little international attention given to crimes against humanity committed in African countries. A human life is a human life, regardless of where a person lives. Every life should be valued equally.
Justice for the Orthodox Christians of Arsi.
A widespread and horrific attack targeting Orthodox Christians and churches is happening in the Oromia region, East Arsi zone, Aseko woreda since May 31, 2026.
Local residents have informed me by phone that so far 49 people have lost their lives, and they fear that more than 280 people whose whereabouts are unknown and who cannot be reached by phone may have also been killed.
The residents stated that OLA (Shene) militants carried out the attack and mentioned these armed groups had previously attacked an area called 'Teleta Gabriel' more than seven times.
What makes the current situation different is, they said, is that militants from Merti woreda, Fentale, Kereyu, and the Itu area all gathered together, numbering approximately three thousand. Crying and screaming in panic, residents report that these militants came to the Aseko woreda and completely burned down Biyo kebele, Teleta Gabriel, Kufte, Medhane Alem, and the surrounding areas.
Residents say the attacks have now spread to Irecha Michael, Sunte Maryam, Lencha Oda, Kwas Dire, Arba Kela, Weranbus, and various other places. They stated that, so far, not a single government force has entered the area, and the militants have laid siege to the surroundings, preventing anyone from escaping while carrying out a massacre.
This area is Addis Ababa Mayor Adanech Abebie's birthplace; perhaps she even knows some of the deceased, or studied or worked alongside them. Let's assume that unlike what we see in the rest of the world, that is going to the scene immediately to calm and comfort the public was impossible due to the ongoing attacks. But when such a horrific attack is committed in her birthplace, why did she fail to simply say 'rest in peace' and condemn the act?
What about other officials and security forces? Why have the country's defense forces, police, militia, air force, and other forces been unable to prevent an attack that has been going on not just for hours, but for days up to this very moment?
The situation in this country is sometimes exhausting. When the people cry out for rescue, these days they plead to the media rather than the government. Yet, when the media delivers this information to the public, it is the media itself that ends up being insulted and persecuted by both the public and the government.
Anyway, writing this gives me a bit of relief. However, the condition of the citizens I spoke to... the crying, panicking, and screaming... is a tragic reality that will never be erased from my mind.
May their souls rest in peace!
Press Statement
The Centre for Human Rights is gravely concerned by reports of harassment and arrests linked to Ethiopian artist Teddy Afro following the release of his album Etorika.
Artistic freedom must be protected. Read the full statement: https://t.co/rEwC70YLQW
According to the Addis Ababa law enforcement report, if everything was truly “false information” and Teddy Afro was peacefully at home, then why were Mahlet Solomon, Yusuf Yasin, and even DJs reportedly targeted, arrested, or pressured? You cannot claim there was no suppression while people around him were being intimidated simply for their association, music, or support. Actions speak louder than official statements. Arresting individuals connected to an artist while dismissing public concern raises even bigger questions. This is unacceptable. Freedom of expression should not come with fear, intimidation, or selective enforcement. We will call on the international community to pay close attention and get involved in addressing these serious concerns.
@TiborPNagyJr@amnesty@hrw@UNHumanRights@BBCWorld@cnni@UN@StateDept@EU_Commission@AJEnglish@Reuters@SkyNews@France24_en@AP@dwnews@jeffpropulsion
Have you notice, @addisstandard did not say a word, despite the clear violations of free expression and artistic freedom on Teddy Afro. His songs have made shockwaves across Ethiopia even for BBC World to give him coverage.
I’ve been going through @addisstandard’s page over the past few days to see whether they would report on the harassment of @teddyafromuzika, the arrest of his close associates, and even the detention of individuals for simply listening to his music. This story has grown beyond a national issue and has begun attracting international media attention, yet there has not been a single report from them.
Addis Standard has rightly covered the arrest and disappearance of their managing editor, Million Beyene, as well as the broader closure of civic space in Ethiopia. However, it is a glaring omission that, one week into what has become one of the biggest national sagas in the country, they have still not published anything on the harassment of Teddy Afro or those targeted for engaging with his music.
It’s difficult to ignore the perception that editorial bias may be playing a role. The founder of Addis Standard, @TsedaleLemma, is known for her Oromo nationalist views, which do not align with Teddy Afro’s pro-Ethiopia stance. But those differences should not influence editorial decisions, especially on an issue of this scale and public interest.
This is also one of the reasons I’ve been translating reports from Ethiopian media outlets like @MeseretMedia, @251Media, and @zehabesha, while encouraging them to publish in English alongside their Amharic reports. It’s critical that Addis Standard is not left as the sole source of Ethiopian news for the international community.
Ethiopia’s prime minister says the next election will be the most open and democratic in the country’s history. In reality it will be a sham. Discover the full story: register to read for free https://t.co/tuiCbgfPOU
Wallpaper the Internet with this image. Shove it in the feeds of all the Abiy regime diplomatic and ministerial accounts. Make them choke on it.😠
And as I suggested before, go PLAY DAS TAL OUTSIDE ETHIOPIAN EMBASSIES & CONSULATES. Make it a song of freedom.
AND PLAY IT LOUD!