Dragged to War, Priced for Freedom: Political economy of forced conscription in Ethiopia

Recently, reports of forced conscription have resurfaced across several districts of Oromia, notably within the Sheger City zone that encircles the capital, Addis Abeba. Affected families have come forward to allege that young individuals are being taken involuntarily; in numerous cases, they further claim, monetary payments have subsequently been demanded as a condition for their kin’s release—compounding the trauma of enforced disappearance with the indignity of outright extortion.

Source: Addis Standard, "Dragged to War, Priced for Freedom: Political economy of forced conscription in Ethiopia", published 2026-08-28. https://addisstandard.com/dragged-to-war-priced-for-freedom-political-economy-of-forced-conscription-in-ethiopia/