Young Tigrayans flee to Addis Ababa fearing forced recruitment

September 25, 2026 at 08:45 AM2 min

This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.

Young men in Ethiopia's Tigray region are leaving for Addis Ababa, citing fears of forced recruitment as political and military tensions rise. Nearly four years after the Pretoria Agreement ended the war, reports of forced recruitment and military mobilisation have resurfaced. Some who fled say they paid bribes to secure release after being detained by local authorities.

Key Facts

Gebru, 27, says his parents paid 20,000 Ethiopian birr ($123) to secure his release after he was taken to a local administration office.
Human Rights Watch reported in July that Tigrayan authorities and forces had forcibly recruited civilians, including children as young as 15, since at least April.
Heavy fighting was reported near Ethiopia's border with Sudan in August.
Shewit, 24, left Mekelle University and a language-class business he had started about a year earlier to move to Addis Ababa.

Forced Recruitment Fears

Gebru, 27, says he was taken from his neighbourhood to a local administration office with other young men. His parents feared he would be sent to fight and paid 20,000 Ethiopian birr ($123) to secure his release. After his release, Gebru left Tigray for Addis Ababa, saying his parents told him to leave and save himself. Human Rights Watch reported in July that Tigrayan authorities and forces had forcibly recruited civilians, including children as young as 15, since at least April. The organisation documented cases involving former combatants and other men and boys taken from streets, homes, workplaces and gold-mining areas.

Post-War Displacement

Shewit, 24, had been studying at Mekelle University and running a language-class business he started about a year earlier. As reports of recruitment and military mobilisation increased, he left for Addis Ababa, leaving behind his family, studies and business. He says he does not want to return unless he can bring his family with him. Gebrehiwot, 28, who fought during the previous war, remains in Tigray but says he does not want to return to the battlefield.