By Ambassador Media Staff | June 12, 2025
In a development that has stirred both relief and skepticism among citizens, the former Sidama Regional Security Bureau Chief, Ato Alemayehu Timothy, has been arrested following serious allegations of power abuse, corruption, and human rights violations.
According to sources familiar with the case, Ato Alemayehu is accused of amassing personal wealth through smuggling networks and exploiting his position to oppress and intimidate civilians. During his tenure, reports suggest that he routinely arrested and harassed innocent youths, silencing opposition and dissent. He is infamously quoted as saying, “Only the Creator is above me,” a statement that many saw as a reflection of the unchecked power he wielded.
Public outcry against his rule has been building for years. Local communities, civil society groups, and concerned individuals in the Sidama region have consistently called for accountability, citing systemic abuse, fear, and a pattern of extrajudicial actions. For many, his arrest signals a long-awaited reckoning.
However, questions linger over the true motive behind his detention. While officially framed as a step toward justice, sources indicate the arrest may be the result of a personal and political fallout between Alemayehu and the regional president—casting doubt on the integrity of the process and highlighting the deeply politicized nature of law enforcement in Ethiopia.
The case has reignited criticism of Ethiopia’s broader legal and political system, which many say enables impunity and abuses of power. Security institutions and government bodies across the country have long been accused of using state authority to suppress dissent, engage in corruption, and commit human rights violations with little consequence.
There is a growing perception that justice in Ethiopia is selective and often driven by political interests rather than genuine legal accountability. In such an environment, arrests like that of Alemayehu Timothy, while welcomed by many, are seen as insufficient in the absence of structural reform.
Until the Ethiopian government takes meaningful steps to establish an independent judiciary, depoliticize its security forces, and restore public trust in legal institutions, cases like this will continue to be viewed as political maneuvers rather than true justice.
