DW Amharic – Residents of Raya Alamata say they face severe hunger, drought and human rights violations
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Disclaimer: This is an English translation of an Amharic article taken from DW Amharic and is intended solely for information purposes.
DW Amharic – Residents of Raya Alamata say they face severe hunger, drought and human rights violations
Esayas Gelaw
September 4, 2026
Over the past eight years of war and unrest residents of the six districts of the Raya territory and Alamata City have faced severe hardship and more recently lack of peace has exposed them to hunger they say.
Over the past eight years between war, displacement and death residents of six districts of Raya have faced numerous issues, and today too they have faced exile from their birthplace as well as severe hunger and lack of peace they say. “We have lost social peace” say community representatives, “after the onset of the northern war and after the federal state abandoned the area, that is since last January the community has faced severe hardship” says Ato Seyoum Arbise adding “over the past eight years we have not been able to live with any stability.”
“The people of Raya have waited for the state for eight years with patience. They are genuine Ethiopians. They live with the belief that tomorrow will bring something better than today. They do not dwell, comprehend, or waver over the suffering, they are a people who live with hope. They are a people who live with the belief tomorrow will bring something better. And for eight years they have lived without a budget, for eight years they lived in an area with unrest, the land of Raya has faced unabated war and overall has never known peace. And now if something is not done the situation will be very difficult for the future.”
Now on top of the lack of peace in Raya and surroundings, drought broke out say residents of Alamata City. “The people of Raya are facing suffering. The people of Raya are not only facing flogging, killing, beatings, detentions, and abductions but now the people of Raya are facing drought. There is nothing from God, there is nothing provided from the state. The Raya community's crops have been planted but have not sprouted. For example, about four kilometers from Alamata there is no rainfall in an area called Teklen. Kuftu, Chercher, Mehoni, Machew. These areas are where this problem lies. Communities over 11 districts are facing hunger and suffering, this is the kind of situation we are facing.”
Farmers in rural areas are selling livestock to withstand the drought, but militants are forcibly taking cash they say. There is severe drought. The drought struck amid the rainy season. The people of Raya have withstood politics, forced conscription, military pressure, and due to the current drought residents have had to sell their sheep and goats to purchase grain for the rainy season however this has been taken away during a house-to-house campaign. And so, there are soldiers, soldiers not from here in various areas in large numbers.” In various areas large numbers of people were abducted under forced conscription say residents.
“Yesterday for example over 165 people were abducted and taken away from the areas of Bala, Wulaga, Qarselae, and Addisqegn Medhanealem, and beyond this there is a concentration camp where they learn how to take apart and put together guns before they are taken to the front.” In Alamata City militants have carried out beatings and gender-based attacks which has made it severe for women say residents who added it has not been possible to move.
Yesterday and the time before has been difficult for women.
“What happened to women?” “Gender based attacks...there are many problems...for example they have committed rape. Their spouses have been displaced to Kobo. For this reason, they say, ‘bring your husbands’...otherwise ‘if you do not, we will rape you’ and the attackers wear masks.”
Community representative Ato Seyoum Arbise described it saying “we are facing a difficult situation, it does not appear it will improve.” “The people of Raya are returning to the stone age. What we had is disappearing and what remains will not be able to serve the people of Ethiopia going forward. As it is known. This was a place which produced influential educated people. The public has a strong desire for education. It is a community which sells their farms for education. But now the situation is very difficult. We are disappearing as a people. This is not a situation which will improve, the people have faced over eight years of unrelenting suffering...”
We called mayor Moges Shifferaw for comment on the human rights abuses taking place in Alamata City however it was not possible to reach him.
Esayas Gelaw
Hirut Melese
Shewaye Legesse
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