Unheard Voices: The Kidnapped Tigrayan Victims of the PFDJ’s Brutality

Mekelle፡Telaviv, Nairobi, Pretoria, London, (Tigray Herald)

Unheard Voices: The Kidnapped Tigrayan Victims of the PFDJ’s Brutality

Forgotten and Forcibly Silenced: The 1998 Eritrean Abduction of Tigrayan Civilians from
Zalambessa and Gulomakeda

Executive Summary

This investigative report by Horn of Africa Geopolitical Review (HAGR) presents irrefutable
evidence and documented testimony regarding the systematic abduction of innocent Tigrayan
civilians—primarily from the Irob ethnic minority and residents of Zalambessa and Gulomakeda
districts—by forces of the People’s Front for Democracy and Justice (PFDJ), the ruling regime
of Eritrea, during the 1998 Ethiopia-Eritrea border war.

These victims have remained
disappeared for over two decades, with no accountability, no official inquiry, and no sustained
campaign to secure their return or justice for their suffering.

The betrayal and political complicity of the former TPLF-led government in suppressing and
ignoring the plight of these abducted Tigrayans represent one of the darkest chapters of moral
and national failure. It is a betrayal that must now be addressed with truth, justice, and
unrelenting urgency.

Context and Background:

During the Eritrean–Ethiopian border war that began in 1998, the authoritarian regime of Isaias
Afwerki—through the PFDJ (People’s Front for Democracy and Justice)—carried out systematic
abductions and enforced disappearances targeting Tigrayan civilians.

These crimes were
primarily concentrated in the border areas of Zalambessa and Gulomakeda, with a devastating
impact on the Irob ethnic minority, a historically marginalized community residing in northeastern
Tigray.

Evidence gathered through ongoing investigations by the Horn of Africa Geopolitical Review
(HAGR) confirms that dozens of Tigrayans—predominantly from the Irob community—were
abducted by Eritrean forces. Their fate remains unknown to this day, more than two decades
later.

Some are believed to have been killed, while others may still be held in secret detention
centers across Eritrea.
Despite these atrocities, the Eritrean regime has never been held accountable, and successive
Ethiopian governments, including the TPLF-led administration, failed to advocate for these
victims.

The silence surrounding their plight reflects a deeper betrayal, particularly by the TPLF
leadership, whose covert alliance with the Eritrean regime has contributed to the continued
suffering and invisibility of these Tigrayan victims.

Condemnation

We, the undersigned, and Horn of Africa Geopolitical Review, strongly condemn

1. The PFDJ regime of Eritrea for its crimes against humanity—particularly the abduction and
   unlawful imprisonment of Tigrayan civilians during wartime;
2. The silence and complicity of the TPLF leadership, who deliberately ignored or downplayed
   this crime, thus betraying the very people they claimed to defend;
3. The failure of successive Ethiopian federal governments, including the current administration,
   to investigate and pursue accountability for Eritrean war crimes and enforced disappearances
   against Tigrayan civilians;
4. The lack of action from international institutions and the United Nations, despite widespread
   documentation of war crimes in the region;
5. The absence of any official recognition or justice-seeking mechanisms for the Irob and other
   abducted communities whose families have lived in grief and silence for 27 years.

Appeal

We urgently call upon:

1. The Ethiopian Federal Government and Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed:

Formally acknowledge the abduction of these civilians and demand answers from the Eritrean
regime;
Initiate a federal-level investigative commission involving independent human rights experts;
Ensure this matter is tabled at international forums, including the African Union and United
Nations.

2. The Tigray Interim Government under General Tadesse Worede:

Publicly recognize the Irob and Zalambessa victims as martyrs of Tigray;

Establish a “Tigrayan Victims of Eritrean Abduction and Disappearance Task Force”;
Launch a domestic and international campaign for accountability and visibility
Collaborate with families, Irob civic organizations, and global justice groups to locate and free
the disappeared.

3. International Human Rights Organizations and the UN Human Rights Council:
   Demand access to information and prison records inside Eritrea concerning these abductees;
   Pressure the Eritrean regime for full transparency and release of prisoners;
   Launch a formal international inquiry into the forced disappearances from 1998 to present.
4. Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC):

Open an urgent special investigation into these documented cases;

Ensure national legal recognition of enforced disappearance crimes against the Irob and
Tigrayan victims.

5. Tigrayan Civic, Religious, and Cultural Institutions:

We call upon:

Maneber Selama Tigray Orthodox Church,
Tigray Muslim Religious Councils,
Tigray Catholic Churches,
Irob Cultural Associations,
Tigray Human Rights Organizations,
To raise a unified moral and religious voice, organizing remembrance days, solidarity events,
and spiritual ceremonies for the abducted.

The Victims: Names that Must Be Remembered

This report includes a verified list of over 130 individuals, abducted by Eritrean forces between
1998–2000. Many are from the Irob ethnic group, an indigenous Christian and Muslim minority
in eastern Tigray. Others are Tigrayan civilians from Zalambessa and Gulomakeda

These individuals were taken across the border into Eritrea, and their whereabouts remain
unknown—many presumed imprisoned or killed. The full list is archived and digitally verified by
Horn of Africa Geopolitical Review.

A selection of names includes:
… (Full list continues in Appendix A of this report)

Call to Justice and Action

We issue this report as a wake-up call to the world: ignoring these crimes perpetuates injustice
and emboldens genocidal regimes. The Eritrean regime continues to act with impunity, while the
Tigrayan victims—especially the Irob—are erased from national memory. No political reform, no
peace deal, and no regional diplomacy is complete without acknowledging and rectifying this
historical wound.

Conclusion

It is time to confront the truth buried in silence. The people of Tigray—especially the
Irob—deserve justice, dignity, and restoration. Their names must be spoken. Their stories must
be known. Their abductions must be answered.

Prepared by:

Horn of Africa Geopolitical Review – Investigative Desk
For submission to:
The Office of the Ethiopian Prime Minister
Tigray Interim Government (President Gen. Tadesse Worede)
United Nations Human Rights Council
Ethiopian Human Rights Commission
Tigrayan civic and religious institutions
Confirmed List of Victims Abducted by Eritrean Forces
(Compiled from eyewitness reports, family testimonies, and community records. Many are from
Gulemada, Irob, and Asmara areas.)

Note: Names are organized by locality to preserve historical and communal memory.

I. Gulemada – Zalambessa – Gulomakeda Distric

1. Tesfay Gebreselassie Tela
2. Kidane Gebremariam Reda
3. Desta Gulemada
4. Goitom Gebrehiwot
5. Tekle Tsegay Wolesadkan
6. Teacher Arafayne Mezigbo
7. Tekie Chirom Desta
8. Tewoldebirhan Gulemada
9. Destaalem Negash
10. Afewerki Mehari Hagos
11. Haile Keshi Berhane
12. Kiros Keshi Tsegay
13. Destasalem Keshi
14. Tekleab Giday Tsadik
15. Gebre Libanos
16. Haile Amare Gebremariam
17. Priest Gebrihans
18. Keshi Abraha
19. Woldesab Gidey Tsadik
20. Gereziher Gulemada
21. Berhane Wollegebriel Tesfay
22. Mezgebe Selassie Mossa

II. Irob Community Victims

These individuals represent a cross-section of Irob society: elders, teachers, priests, and young
men and women.

23. Abdu Wolihans Tesfu
24. Hadgu Kahsay
25. Abraha Gebray Kahsay
26. Abraha Gebru Woldu
27. Abraha Emalmali
28. Abreha Sebhat Mossa
29. Abreha Gebray Tesfay
30. Abraham Solomon
31. Alemayohu Fisuh
32. Aduma Agos Tesfu
33. Adoali Sibhat Mesfin
34. Adoni Yohannes Gebru
35. Adoamar Wolde Gebray
36. Alema Gebray Tesf
37. Alema Hailemariam Gidey
38. Alema Tesfay Adagis
39. Alema Tesfay Kahsay
40. Alema Tesema Gebray
41. Assefa Agos
42. Asfaha Gedey Tesfay
43. Atalti Beyene Wolde
44. Medhin Agos
45. Tesfay Medhin
46. Wollegebriel Beyene
47. Birhane G/Michael Adgu
48. Birhane Kidane Tesfay
49. Birhanu Tsaseru Agos
50. Bisrat Hagos Kahsay
51. Birur Agos Gebr
52. Dawud Ibrahim
53. Dehab Agos Hawku
54. Guelay Wolde
55. Desta Tesfay Mossa
56. Fana Abraha Gebre
57. Fisehaye Mesgna Tesfay
58. Teka (Priest)
59. Fisuh Tsadwa Agos
60. Fisuh Wolde Sibhat
61. Fisuh Wolde W/Selassie
62. Ferweyni Wolde Agos
63. Gebre Abraha Gebray
64. Hadush Gebru Hadile
65. Gebrihans Ago
66. Gidey Agos Sibhat
67. Girmay Tesfay
68. Girmay Wolemikael
69. Hagos Amru Kahsay
70. Hailu Gebreselassie
71. Haile Berha
72. Haile Agos Kahsay
73. Haileselassie Gidey Desta
74. Halibo Kahsay Hagos
75. Kahsay Agos Tesfu
76. Kahsay Wolenkiel
77. Keshi Adema Gebretsadkan
78. Keshi Adgu Gebray
79. Kidane Alibo Agos
80. Haileselassie Gidey (EngineAgo
81. Meyeri Agos Tesfu
82. Maisiso Gebru Robli
83. Mebrahtom Wollegebriel
84. Medhin Fisuh Debesay
85. Misgana Yohannes Hagos
86. Mihiret W/Selassie
87. Mesgna Gebregergs
88. Seyoum Wolde Tesfay
89. Teame Gebray Agos
90. Teame Kidane Tsadwa
91. Tesfay Gebray Agos
92. Tesfay Agos Kahsay
93. Tesfay Kahsay Tesfu
94. Tesfay Wolgergs Beyene
95. Tesfay Yohannes Ago
96. Tsega Abraha Tesfay
97. Tsegay Fisuh
98. Wollegebrigs Beyene
99. Yohannes Hagos Kahsay
100. Yohannes Tesfay
101. Damana Agos
102. Dehab Gebray Hawku
103. Kahsay Mossa Woldu
104. Kidane Kahsay
105. Tesfay Gidey

III. Victims Abducted in Asmara and Other Eritrean Towns

106. Alem Kahsay (Medaber, Asmara)
107. Dawit Gebretsadkan (Asmara)
108. Mehretab Edaga Ekli (Asmara)
109. Bereket Edaga Haraj (Barentu
110. Gidey Winta (Asmara Cosmetics)
111. Tsegabu “Babi” (Asmara)
112. Hashe Abera (Asmara)
113. Ato Tesfay Hamu Wedibayre (Asmara)
114. Fisehaye G/Ziher (Asmara)
115. Nur Hassen Omar (Sarto, Asmara)
116. Teacher Beyene Geza (Kenisha, Asmara)
117. Tsegay Beyene (Asmara)
118. Fisehaye Tesfamariam (Asmara)
119. Nega Berhane (Asmara)
120. Mohammed Tiku’e (Asmara)
121. Alem (Davon, Ferementa, Asmara)
122. Gebremichael Gebre (Asmara)
123. Mustafa Ibrahim (Asmara)
     IV. Victims in Barentu and Batsie
124. Tesfay Diskul (Barentu)
125. Judge “Haile” (Barentu
126. Abdu Abdela (Sarto, Batsie)
     126, Gidey Winta Cosmetics Asmara.
     127, Tsegabu (Babi) Asmera
     128, ሓሸ ኣበራ ኣስመራ
     129, ኣቶተስፋይ ሓሙ ወዲባይረ ኣስመራ
     130, Fisehaye G/Ziher Asmara
     131, Nur Hassen Omar Sarto Asmera
     132, teacher Beyene Geza from Kenisha Asmera
     133, Tsegay Beyene Asmera
     134, Fisehaye Tesfamariam Asmera
     135, Nega Berhane Asmara
     136, መሓመድ ትኩእ ኣስመራ
     137, Alem Feramenta Davon Asmera
     138, Gebremichael Gebre Asmera
     139, Mustafa Ibrahim Asmera
     140, Tesfay Diskul Barentu
     141, world leader judge Barentu
     142, Abdu Abdela Sarto Batsie
     143, Y/God Tadesse Adekeyh
     144, ዳንኤል ዘርኡ ኣስመራ
     145, Gebremedhin fresh (Fata) Asmera
     146, Gebrekhishen Gebremichael Asmera
     147, Kidane Aregawi Hailesilas Asmera
     148, Muz Gebremariam Meles Batsie
     ,
     Conclusion and Call to Action:

The Horn of Africa Geopolitical Review demands that the Eritrean regime be held accountable
for its crimes against Tigrayan civilians, particularly the Irob minority. We call upon international
human rights organizations, the UN Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances,
and the African Union to investigate these cases, pressure Eritrea for full transparency, and offer
justice to the families who have waited in anguish for decades.
It is time to confront the truth buried in silence.

The people of Tigray—especially the
Irob—deserve justice, dignity, and restoration. Their names must be spoken. Their stories must
be known. Their abductions must be answered.
Justice delayed must not mean justice denied.