February 16, 2026
By Mesfin Yohannes Haile
Addis Ababa is not only the capital of Ethiopia but also the diplomatic heart of Africa home to the African Union and numerous international organizations. This status demands that the city serve as a symbol of peace, justice, and diplomacy. However, the current reality on the ground has become the exact opposite, reaching a deeply alarming state.
Law Enforcers or Law Breakers?
The very entities empowered by the government to uphold the law and ensure public safety, police officers, traffic wardens, and code enforcement officers have themselves become a major scar on the city by acting above the law. It has become a common occurrence to witness innocent citizens being humiliated, beaten, and having their property seized by security forces. The physical abuse and harassment directed at women, in particular, highlight the profound moral and systemic collapse within these law enforcement institutions.
The Disappearance of 13 Youths: A Family’s Cry
It has been one year since 13 young men and women were forcibly abducted by members of the defense forces (on February 10, 2025/2017 E.C.). Their current whereabouts remain unknown, serving as a stark reminder of how deeply lawlessness has taken root.
- List of the Abducted: Among those taken are Genet Arage, Seyfe Tekle-Giorgis, Abel Alemneh, Kiflom Habte, Surafel Biruk, Sebsibe Alemu, and Amanuel Yamaneberhan.
- The Case of Amanuel: Amanuel Yamaneberhan, who served as a deputy manager at the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia, was abducted from his workplace. A year has passed with no word on his condition. Despite his family filing petitions with the Prime Minister’s Office, the Human Rights Commission, and the Ministry of Justice, they have received no response.
“If they have killed them, let us at least mourn with our relatives and know the finality of it. How can we sleep at night when a child is missing?” — Families of the victims.
Mass Sweeps and a Climate of Fear
The youth of the city are living in a state of despair due to random mobile phone searches, the deception of “job registrations” used to lure youth into forced military conscription, and the practice of “hunting” young people under the cover of darkness. In a desperate attempt to avoid arrest or having their phones snatched, some youths have resorted to using photos of high-ranking government officials as their phone screen savers. This reflects the profound lack of trust the public has in the government and security apparatus.
The System Needs Urgent Reform!
As a city under the watchful eyes of the international community, Addis Ababa’s police and security structures must undergo an immediate and fundamental reform. The role of the police is to enforce the law, not to terrorize the public.
Conclusion
A city where the law is not respected cannot have lasting peace. The abducted youths must receive justice immediately, and their families have a right to know their fate. Security forces must remember that their duty is to the rule of law and public safety, not to the preservation of power for a few individuals. The law you fail to respect today will not protect you tomorrow.
Let us be a voice for these youths! Justice for the disappeared!
Editor’s Note : Views in the article do not necessarily reflect the views of borkena.com
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