Famous Oromo anthropologist and researcher, Gemechu Megersa (PhD), was briefly detained in Addis Ababa then released on September 23.
Megersa was released with a notice to report back to the police when needed, his son Solan Megerssa confirmed the incident.
Megersa was arrested at his Finfinne residence at around 6:30 a.m local time. He was released in the evening after spending the day in police custody. Megersa returned to Addis Ababa police later to retrieve his mobile phone, which was confiscated by the police after his confinement.
Megersa is a notable Oromo intellectual and author on culture, politics and history of the Oromo people.
Most recently, he co-authored the book “Sacred Knowledge Traditions of the Oromo of the Horn of Africa” with his wife Dr Aneesa Kassam. He is also well known for his critical views of Ethiopian history and the relationship of the Oromo people with the Ethiopian state.
The police did not provide any explanation for his detention, according to Solan.
Academics have repeatedly been targeted for detention in Ethiopia.
Last year in April, ten staffers of Jimma University were arrested on the grounds of attempting a coup and supporting the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA).
According to their attorney, eight of the lecturers were arrested on April 2, 2021, while the remaining two were arrested on April 4 and April 5.