A Story of a Tigrayan Facing Deportation

I was born in Addis Ababa, the capital and largest city of Ethiopia. When I was 2 years old, my family moved to Bishoftu, 45 kilometres from the capital. Both of my parents are from Tigray, a region in northern Ethiopia. At a young age, they were both a part of the armed struggle that overthrew the Derg regime as members of the Tigrayan People’s Liberation Front (TPLF). 

In 1991, once the Derg was overthrown, my mother left the TPLF and began working in Addis Ababa.  My father remained a part of the TPLF and worked for the Ethiopian Air Force in Bishoftu. My father died suddenly in 2006, after which my mother and I moved back to Addis Ababa. Life was difficult, but we adjusted. I performed well in school and graduated from Addis Ababa University with a Degree in Electro-mechanical Engineering in 2017. Soon after graduating, I began working as an engineer. 

As a Tigrayan, I noticed dramatic changes in my social and professional life soon after Abiy Ahmed came to power in 2018. The TPLF, and Tigrayans, became easy targets as Abiy began consolidating power. When leaving work one evening, a man approached me, called me by my name, and said, “Do you think you’re going to live a good life after what your father did to us?” I was confused. I had no idea what he was referring to – I asked him what he meant. He then insulted me and tried to hit me. I was left confused by the ordeal. I was followed and harassed on more than one occasion after this incident. 

In February 2018, I was abruptly fired from my job with no warning. My line manager told me the decision was above him and advised me to speak to an HR Representative to raise my grievance. When I did, he smirked and said, “You are a nobody and have no power to ask about this.” The same month, while I was out for a walk one evening, I felt someone following me – I began walking faster, after which he began chasing me. I reached a dark spot when I heard a gunshot and heard him say, “Stop, you son of a bitch.” I reported the incident to a local police station; when I provided my ID to a police officer, he noted my ethnicity and mocked me. He made remarks about Tigrayans stealing from the country and threw my ID in my face. 

At that point, I knew the authorities in Addis Ababa could not protect me, so I went to Tigray (before the war on Tigray), hoping I would be safer there. I went to speak to an official at the Regional Government Office and asked for protection, but I was told they were unable to offer protection since I was not associated with the TPLF. 

With no other option, I returned to Bishoftu to stay with family friends. I remained there for a while before a family member felt my safety was under threat and advised me to leave the country. Out of fear of the current administration and the threats made, my family and I decided that fleeing Ethiopia was best for my safety. 

Since arriving in Europe two years ago, away from the looming threat of being followed and harassed, I feel much safer. However, my safety and security are in jeopardy now as I am facing deportation. The lives of the children, dependents, and current members of the elected government of Tigray have been under attack since November 4, 2020, and I fear mine will be too. Given the threats made to my life and the ongoing war on Tigray, I am fearful of what will await me if I am deported.