An Investigative Report by an Addis Ababa Correspondent

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A Crisis of Accountability

In a region scarred by conflict, a more insidious crisis has emerged. Oromo youth—young men and women seeking work, education, or simply a future—are being systematically targeted by security forces and militias across Oromia. Under the guise of maintaining security, a system of extortion, arbitrary detention, and physical abuse has taken root.

Over the past 18 months, this reporter has documented numerous cases of harassment, illegal detention, and physical mistreatment of young Oromos. The testimony of a young man from Shambu, traveling to Finfinne for work, represents a pattern confirmed by researchers and human rights bodies: “I was asked to show my ID. When they saw I was from Shambu, I was arrested. During detention I faced severe beatings… I was just looking for work” .

This investigative report examines the mechanisms behind this system of control, its impact on Oromo communities, and the international responses to a growing human rights crisis.

The ‘Security Committee’: A System of Covert Control

The creation of the Koree Nageenyaa (Security Committee) in 2019 marks a pivotal shift in how security is maintained in Oromia. Operating in parallel to formal institutions, these committees—established at federal, zonal, and district levels—are allegedly responsible for directing extrajudicial actions.

Investigative reports indicate that these committees operate informally, meeting on an ad hoc basis and taking decisions far from public scrutiny. This opaque structure has been directly linked to human rights violations, including the alleged extrajudicial killings and illegal detentions documented by outlets such as Reuters.

The report further details a structure that extends to the district level, where the committee typically includes the district head, the security office head, and the police chief.

Extortion: The Weapon of Control

With limited formal salaries, members of local militias and Gaachana Sirnaa have turned to extortion, using a system of fabricated accusations to collect money. A source told this reporter: “The security situation has created a huge market for the security agencies… someone comes to you and says that we have credible information that you have links to this and that organization. No further evidence is needed, and everybody knows it is about money. Refusal to pay easily leads to arrests”.

A relative was detained, accused of OLA links, but “the real reason was that they needed money from him… I had to pay 45,000 birr to have him released”. This practice has become “part of the official system” and “out of control”.

The Human Toll: A Generational Crisis

The impact of this system is devastating. Young people are being targeted not only for extortion but for enforced conscription, with boys as young as 11 being rounded up. The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has reported that suspects are subjected to threats, intimidation, and beatings during arrest and interrogation.

The EHRC further reports that in areas with security concerns, family members are detained in place of suspects who cannot be found . The crisis is compounded by poor conditions in detention facilities, where overcrowding and a lack of basic necessities are commonplace .

The targeting extends to female students. EHRC monitoring confirmed they are subjected to threats, intimidation, and sexual harassment, both from teachers and fellow students. The crisis is exacerbated by the broader conflict, which has left more than 3.2 million children in Oromia out of school.

International Condemnation and Calls for Accountability

The situation in Oromia has drawn widespread international condemnation. The UK government has expressed concern, called for dialogue, and is supporting the investigative capacity of the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission. An Amnesty International briefing documented gang rape, sexual slavery, and other abuses against women and girls, concluding that these acts “may amount to war crimes”.

The report features harrowing testimonies from survivors like Lalistu: “For three weeks, 15 men were raping my child and me. They used to take turns”. The Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect reports that victims in Oromia “remain without redress” due to failed accountability efforts.

The U.S. House of Representatives has proposed a resolution condemning the Ethiopian government for human rights violations and calling for sanctions against implicated officials .

Conclusion: A System in Need of Justice

The crisis in Oromia is not merely a conflict; it is a system of lawlessness designed to maintain control through fear and economic predation. Oromo youth are bearing the brunt of this system. Without meaningful accountability, justice will remain elusive, and the cycle of violence and impunity will continue.

The international community’s response—condemnation, calls for dialogue, and support for investigations—is a necessary first step . However, as the evidence mounts, the need for concrete action to hold perpetrators accountable and protect civilians has never been more urgent.