Ethiopian Journalists Abducted Amid Escalating Press Crackdown

August 17, 2025 – Ethiopia – 

Two Ethiopian journalists were abducted within a week in what rights groups say reflects an intensifying assault on press freedom.

According to an exclusive report by Borkena, the first journalist, Abdulsameed Mohamed, host of the “Kidame Gebeya” program on Ahad Radio 94.3, was forcibly taken on 11 August 2025. He is a seasoned broadcaster with three decades of experience across major outlets, including Ethiopian Television, Radio, EBS TV, Ahadu Radio, and YouTube platforms. Just two days later, on 13 August 2025, Yonas Amare, a reporter for The Ethiopian Reporter known for his in-depth coverage of sensitive topics like civil service reform and political accountability, was abducted from his home in Addis Ababa. As of this writing, both remain missing, and their whereabouts are unknown.

The Ethiopian Media Professionals Association has condemned these abductions, demanding the journalists’ immediate release and urging authorities to abide by due process. The group reiterated that while journalists may be subject to legal accountability if they break the law, arbitrarily detaining or disappearing them is intolerable. It also called for the protection of press freedoms and respect for journalistic roles as part of democratic function.

These incidents occur against a backdrop of mounting suppression of independent media under Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s administration. Human rights reports document widespread detentions of journalists, censorship, and the misuse of anti-terrorism laws to curb dissent. Ethiopia regularly places poorly in global press freedom rankings, with concerns over enforced disappearances and repressive legal frameworks rising sharply in recent years.

The abductions of Mohamed and Amare not only illustrate the personal risks facing Ethiopia’s press but also signal a broader chilling effect across the media sector. Civil society observers warn that such actions suppress vital investigative journalism and erode the public’s right to information.

Reference – 

Two Ethiopian journalists abducted in Addis Ababa amid crackdown

Two Ethiopian Journalists Abducted Within A Week