Kidnapping has been a persistent threat for years in Oromia, a region that runs through the heart of Ethiopia and surrounds the capital, Addis Ababa. Abductions take place not far from Addis Ababa, as the OLA’s insurgency spreads to new areas, and target anyone. The road linking Addis Ababa to Djibouti’s port, Ethiopia’s main trade artery, has become a kidnapping hotspot in the past 18 months. After lengthy negotiations, the family paid 100,000 birr. Alemetu did not go to the police after she was released, fearful they would accuse her of funding terrorists because her family paid a ransom.
