Over 100 people kidnapped for ransom in Ethiopia last week, US envoy says

At least 100 people, including students, were kidnapped for ransom last week in Ethiopia's restive regions that have seen sporadic fighting since the end of the civil war in Tigray, the US ambassador to Addis Ababa said, Report informs referring to Reuters.

While a peace agreement signed in November 2022 has resulted in a measure of stability for Tigray, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's government has struggled to bring security to other areas.

Last year, more than 1,300 people were killed across the country, with most of the violence affecting the regions of Amhara and Oromia, according to the United Nations.

"Recent and frequent kidnappings in Oromia and Amhara regions show how prolonged conflict emboldens criminals and weakens (the) rule of law," US Ambassador Ervin Massinga wrote on social media platform X.

"Last week, over 100 students and passengers were abducted for ransom," he added.