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Eritrea releases 46 detained Tigrayans as abductions continue

Memorial service for the victims of the Tigray conflict organized by the city administration in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. (AFP)

By Bashir Mohammed | 13 Apr 2024

The ongoing abductions have raised concerns about the region's commitment to peace and civilian safety.

The Eritrean government released 46 Tigrayans from prison on Friday. The detainees, who had been held for a minimum of two months to over a year, were primarily from the Tahtay Adiyabo district in the North Western Zone of the Tigray region.

Mebrahtom Gezaei, head of peace and security in the Tahtay Adiyabo district, confirmed the release and revealed that the individuals were held in the Barentu prison in Eritrea's Gash-Barka region.

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He mentioned the initial abduction of the detainees prior to their detention in Eritrea.

However, despite this development, reports indicate that abductions of individuals from areas under Eritrean control in Tigray continue.

Regional officials have expressed concern over the increased abductions, which occurred despite the signing of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement (CoHA) in November 2022.

In December 2023, Addis Standard reported on the abduction of 26 individuals by Eritrean forces from the Gulomekeda district.

Regional officials have indicated that Zalambessa town and six wards of Gulomekeda district are under Eritrean control, which has led to a rise in abductions.

A delegation from the AU Monitoring, Verification, and Compliance Mission (AU-MVCM) visited the Gulemekeda district and Zalambessa town last week to assess progress towards fulfilling the terms of the Pretoria accord and evaluate the status of the local population.

Various areas of the Tigray region have documented similar abductions. District officials in Irob reported in September 2023 that Eritrean troops had abducted 28 youths over a ten-month period. The families of the abductees remain unaware of their whereabouts.

A mother, speaking to Addis Standard, described how Eritrean forces abducted her child and other siblings in November 2022, shortly after the signing of the Pretoria Peace Agreement.

She emphasised that the abducted individuals are civilians who do not possess any weapons and are not militias.

The ongoing abductions have raised concerns about the region's commitment to peace and civilian safety.

As one regional official noted, "The release of the detainees is a positive step, but we need to see concrete actions towards ensuring the safety and well-being of all individuals in the region."

The Eritrean government has yet to comment on the abductions, but the international community has called for a thorough investigation and accountability for those responsible.