The case of Birtukan is it State-Orchestrated Distractions or the Exploitation of a Tragic Reality
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In mid‐March 2025, Ethiopia’s living rooms were filled with an emotional and heart-wrenching interview on EBS TV. Birtukan—a young woman who endured the horrors of kidnapping and abuse—became an overnight symbol of the brutality many ethnic Amhara women face in the country. The live broadcast not only laid bare the inhumanity of abduction, rape, forced displacement, and state neglect, but it also served as a stark reminder of a system marred by violence and impunity.
A National Wake-Up Call—or a Convenient Distraction?
Birtukan’s tearful testimony should have ignited a nationwide reckoning. Yet, rather than prompting a profound inquiry into Ethiopia’s systemic failures, the current regime seized upon her story as a tool for propaganda. By amplifying her ordeal, government cadres initially painted it as an isolated tragedy—a deviation from an otherwise stable state—thus diverting public attention from the grim reality of widespread lawlessness. Subsequently the channel was forced to shut down, all journalists including the owners were arrested. The program director and his crew are now charged with act of terrorism and propagating fake news. Observers are now blaming the regime calculated manipulating conflict narratives to divert attention from its persisting failures.
The Forgotten Horrors in Oromia
Barely days before Birtukan’s interview aired, chilling news emerged from the Oromia region. The BBC Amharic service reported that an entire busload of passengers was abducted by an armed group—a distressing incident that, despite its severity, received minimal follow-up. In Oromia, such abductions have become a grim routine. The Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) and other armed factions operate with near impunity, terrorizing communities through kidnappings that force families into ransom payments. These incidents, marked by psychological torment and financial ruin, rarely garner the national outrage that Birtukan’s case did—a glaring disparity that speaks volumes about selective media coverage and state priorities.
Escalating Violence in the Amhara Region
Adding to the litany of violence, recent developments in the Amhara region underscore the precarious security situation. Insurgents have launched a wave of attacks against Prime Ministerial (PM) soldiers—a bold and dangerous escalation that further destabilizes an already volatile environment. While the state amplifies certain narratives for its own gain, it simultaneously neglects or downplays other violent episodes, leaving victims of similar or even graver atrocities without the attention or support they desperately need.
The Politics of Propaganda and Neglect
The government’s manipulation of Birtukan’s narrative is emblematic of a broader strategy: using isolated incidents to mask the persistent and systemic issues plaguing Ethiopia. By spotlighting a single case of victimization, the regime diverts scrutiny from its failure to protect its citizens across various regions—particularly in Oromia and parts of Addis Ababa—where countless similar, if not worse, abuses occur daily. This calculated distraction not only undermines genuine calls for justice but also perpetuates a cycle of impunity where victims are left unheard and unprotected.
A Call for Accountability and Genuine Reform
Birtukan’s case should serve as a catalyst for comprehensive reform—a call to address the entrenched violence, the rampant lawlessness, and the systemic neglect that afflict the nation. For Ethiopia to move forward, it must confront not only the brutality experienced by its citizens but also the political machinations that seek to exploit such tragedies for ulterior motives. Only through transparency, accountability, and genuine commitment to justice can the cycle of violence be broken, and the dignity of every Ethiopian restored.
In the end, while Birtukan’s anguished testimony captured the nation’s attention, it also revealed a harsh truth: the narratives presented to the public are often as manufactured as they are manipulated. The time has come for Ethiopian society—and its leaders—to look beyond the distractions and address the root causes of its suffering.
