Mereja.Forum

Za-Ilmaknun wrote: ↑

01 Aug 2025, 12:19

According to Ethiopian Media Services published on Thursday,– the Kore Negegna ( read as Koree Nageenyaa in Oromo language) has reportedly abducted over 20 civilians in the Oromia region of Ethiopia.

A priest and pregnant woman among those abducted, the report added. The whereabouts of all the kidnapped civilians is said to be unknown.
Ethnic Amhara communities in the district with licensed small firearms were reportedly rounded and dispossessed.
Kore Negegna (Koree Nageenyaa) is a secret armed group organized by the ruling Prosperity Party in the Oromia region under the leadership of the region’s president, Shimeles Abdissa.
An investigative report Reuters published in February 2024 revealed Koree Nageenyaa is a secretive body operating in the Oromia region of Ethiopia under the command of officials. It is linked to orders to killings and disappearances in the region.
Politically motivated ransom kidnapping has become a persistent problem in Ethiopia since Abiy Ahmed became Prime Minister in April 2018. There was no known reported kidnapping in the country before that.

The kidnapping problem is more pronounced in the Oromia region of Ethiopia. While most kidnappings seem to be linked to the military Oromo Liberation Army group which is widely operating in the region, there are allegations, including from armed groups, that the government in the region itself has organized a secretive armed group that is extensively engaged in kidnapping.

Citizens have been forced to pay millions for birr to armed groups to secure the release of kidnapped family members. However, there were reports indicating that there are times when the kidnapper kills the kidnapped even after ransom is paid out, including via bank accounts.

https://borkena.com/2025/08/01/ethiopia ... civilians/

Seattle to Host Groundbreaking Public Forum on Oromo Nation's Journey for Self-Determination

In the thick of shifting political dynamics in Ethiopia, the Oromo Nation persists in its pursuit of self-determination. A crucial public forum is set to take place in Seattle, Washington, on August 1, 2025, between 2:00 PM and 6:00 PM PDT, to delve into the Oromo Nation's future beyond the reign of the Abiy regime and discuss the subsequent steps towards their self-governance. The Oromo Nation, one of Ethiopia's largest nation groups, has been advocating for self-determination for several decades. The forthcoming forum in Seattle aims to convene individuals, scholars, and activists dedicated to this cause to deliberate on the nation's future course. The goal is to stimulate dialogue about the obstacles the Oromo people face and the strategies necessary to surmount them. The forum is organized by the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF)-Oromo Liberation Army (OLA), a group that has been pivotal in advocating for the rights of the Oromo people and leading the fight for self-determination. This event is open to all those interested in the Oromo cause. The dialogue will focus on the period following the tenure of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, who held power from 2018 to present (the time this article was written , July 13, 2025). The Abiy regime brought significant political shifts, including the conclusion of the longstanding rule of the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) and the establishment of the Prosperity Party. However, these transitions did not lead to the anticipated peace and stability for the Oromo people. They have endured human rights abuses and political suppression under the Prosperity Party, with local sources reporting numerous atrocities against the Oromo community among which are the establishment of a killing squad known as Koree Nageenya. The forum intends to spotlight these issues, with a particular emphasis on the human rights abuses and political developments under the Prosperity Party. The role of other groups, such as the Fano, accused of terror acts against the Oromo people, will also be discussed. The Seattle forum marks a significant stride in the Oromo Nation's journey toward self-determination. It offers a platform for open dialogue and collective strategizing about the nation's future. The discussion is anticipated to illuminate the path ahead for the Oromo people, underscoring their resilience and determination in the face of adversity. The forum extends an invitation to all those interested in the Oromo cause to participate in the discussion and contribute to the Oromo Nation's future. The organizers are calling for unity among the Oromo to stand with the nation enduring unspeakable adversity under the less recognized 21st century colonial empire of Ethiopia. This event symbolizes the ongoing struggle for self-determination and the shared effort to secure a brighter future for the Oromo people.