Note to reader:

This piece, as recounted by Birtukan herself, was shaped by the EBS show to highlight her ordeal, rather than delving into other facets of her personal story. The production of her narrative, framed within the ratings focused Western-style talk show format—featuring a victim and concluding with corporate acts of generosity—struggled to withstand the politicization that ensued. Unintentionally, the choppy editing and omissions, such as about her prolonged captivity and pregnancy, created significant gaps in the timeline.These gaps not only weakened the story's impact but also left both Birtukan and the EBS crew vulnerable to politically motivated criticism. Moreover, the Ethiopian government singled out this EBS show’s utilization of a common practice of enactment of real events (cinematization) for enhanced storytelling, combined with other shortcomings, to label Birtukan’s story a ‘fiction’ and detain her and EBS crew.

In conclusion, the shortcomings in the EBS show stemmed from a lack of professional training and experience without any malice, reflecting a broader challenge in the Ethiopian media landscape, where the lingering effects of authoritarianism continue to impede the growth of journalism and media in the nation. With that in mind, here is a summary of her story from the now removed EBS show aired on March 23 2025.

Background

Birtukan Temesgen Kebede was the firstborn in her family. Her father migrated after her birth, and her mother died during childbirth. Raised by her grandmother, she was eventually given to foster parents at the age of eight when her grandmother could no longer care for her. The foster parents had a boy and a girl, and Birtukan helped raise them, washing their clothes and learning to cook. Despite the challenges, her foster parents provided her with accommodation and encouraged her to excel in her education, where she became an honor student. As a teenager, Birtukan balanced demanding household chores with her studies. In 12th grade, she scored 392 on the Ethiopian General Secondary Education Certificate exam and was assigned to a university by the Ministry of Education. She chose Pharmacy as her department, and the department's office staff (inferred from context of her use the word “they”) supported her by providing stationery and photocopying handouts. She was given 300 Birr when she left for university for travel expenses (150$ one way). Friends covered her basic needs including womanly products. Her ordeal In her second year (inferred from the documents showing her completion of high school in 2018, this would be in 2020), unrest in the country spread to her universities’ locality. One night, while returning from the library with friends, there was a shooting on campus. Shooters in civilian clothes claiming to be helpful, directed them to safety outside of the campus, where collaborating uniformed gunmen took them to the woods as far as the car can go. Then, after walking for six hours, they reached a place where they were told they would be trained militarily and remained captive for one and half years. One day after a year and a half, Birtukan and others were taken into the woods and were subjected to gang rape and torture. Birtukan claims to have sustained gaping wounds in two places on her head. She claims penetration with a blunt metal object in the EBS video which she says she does not remember happening from being passed out – but says can feel the wound when she touches her stomach. Birtukan says she woke up among dead bodies and another injured girl whom she tried to help. Unfortunately, the EBS video does not cover who the other injured girl is or what happened to her. They were eventually taken to a town where a man bought Birtukan clothes and took her to the university director, who brought her to a hospital six days after being gang raped. Despite receiving some treatment, her wounds did not fully heal, and she began begging in front of the university to sustain herself. The university staff (inferred from context of her use the word “they”), helped her to eventually get to Addis Ababa, where she continued begging until a lady helped her get medical care and delivered her baby (There was no detail on the pregnancy in the story other than the birth). She then got help to gain food and shelter with the help of Mother Teresa NGO. Despite receiving support, Birtukan struggled with insufficient food and had to continue to beg on the streets to cover her expenses. Her foster parents were aware of her situation but were unwilling to take her back. She considered giving up her child but could not go through with it. Asked what she wishes for, Birtukan replied, medical help in the short term to resolve her health issues and a healthy life for her child to grow and become a companion and a supporter to her.

Chronology of events in Birtukan's story

• Birtukan Temesgen Kebede was born, and her father migrated shortly after her birth.
• Her mother died during childbirth, and she was given to her grandmother to raise.
• At age 8, her grandmother could no longer care for her and gave her away to foster parents.
• Her foster parents had a boy and a girl, and Birtukan helped raise them, washing clothes and learning to cook.
• The foster parents encouraged her to continue her education, where she remains with them until she completed high school (12th) grade with honors.
• In 12th grade, she scored 392 on the Ethiopian General Secondary Education Certificate.
• She was assigned to a university by the Ministry of Education and chose Pharmacy as her department.
• In her second year (around 2020), unrest occurred one night at 9 PM.
• Gunmen in civilian clothes who claimed to help and directed Birtukan and friends outside of the campus.
• Uniformed gunmen then took them to the woods a drive and 6 hours away to a military training area.
• They were held captive for a year and a half until they were taken gang raped and left for dead.
• Six days later, Birtukan made it to her University with help from a good Samaritan.
• The University director arranged for her to get medical attention.
• Pregnant, she travels to Addis Abeba and sustains herself begging on the street for a while until another person helps her gain medical access to give birth.
• She gives birth to a boy and gets basic assistance from Mother Terresa NGO while she continues to beg on the streets.
• EBS interview airs with Birtukan’s story. The show ends with EBS pledging to help Birtukan with her rent for one year, and provide groceries for six months, a washing machine. Also, Yanet College offered her free education when she is ready. EBS called for professionals to offer counseling assistance and heart treatment for her condition. EBS also announces her bank account information on air for viewers and potential donors who wish to make financial donations.
• Few days later, political controversy ensued. Birtukan and EBS crew get incarcerated. EBS CEO issues an apology and accuses the EBS crew.
• Government airs a counter narrative accusing Birtukan of lying about being gang raped and being a conspirator of the FANO forces.

Citation

1. Birtukan's now removed EBS documentary on MulugetaAnberbr, accessed on March 29, 2025, https://x.com/MulugetaAnberbr/status/1904144634810339587
2. Birtukan's now removed EBS documentary on AmharaBCenter, accessed on March 29, 2025, https://x.com/AmharaBCenter/status/1904218596852559883