Oppression of sexual minorities has long been a problem in Ethiopia, the second most populous country in Africa, and it has diminished the lives of many people who call the country home. It has forced many to live while hiding their identity, existing as shadows among their adversaries, fearing being targeted and persecuted. This problem, however, seems to have worsened recently due to the rise of conservative voices on social media and a growing culture of mob justice, making the country one of the most dangerous places for queer people – where being gay or lesbian can be a reason to lose everything.

The recent horrifying incident that shattered the life and dreams of a promising journalist, and the series of events that have unfolded since then, is a clear example that sheds light on the worsening situation of sexual minorities in the country. The story started flooding Ethiopian social media networks on the afternoon of Dec. 8, 2025. Sofonias Wasihun was targeted because of his sexual orientation and was accused of being homosexual as he was heading to meet a man who had connected with him on TikTok. The man later admitted that he had pretended to be homosexual and had orchestrated the meeting.

Videos distributed online show a group of young men waiting for the journalist in a town near the capital, together with the same person whom the journalist was coming to meet based on their agreement. The footage shows this person saying that if the journalist arrived, he would be beaten, while the young men around him held wooden sticks. A few moments later, the same video shows the mob screaming at and assaulting the helpless journalist, pushing him to the ground and beating him while he cried aloud and begged for mercy. As seen in the video, no passerby was willing to step in and help the young man as he was dragged and brutally beaten. The footage shows not only the brutality that unfolded there but also the deeply rooted societal attitudes toward sexual minorities and the sense of impunity those young people appeared to feel.

In the video showing this horrifying incident, the person who orchestrated the event stated that he opposed homosexuality and that he was committed to exposing the journalist to teach others a lesson. He narrated how he pretended to be homosexual, showing his social media chat history, and convinced Wasihun that he was communicating with someone of a similar sexual orientation. He explained all the techniques he used to lure the journalist and referred to him at one point as “a dog.” In another video, the same individual said his actions were justified and aimed at fighting homosexuality, encouraging others to follow in his footsteps.

These videos quickly gained public attention and immediately stirred social media discussions, most of which focused on criticizing Wasihun’s sexual identify, dehumanizing sexual minorities, and encouraging similar acts of mob justice. Many online responded positively to this unlawful public persecution, stating that homosexuality had been growing because of a lack of such resistance.

Workaferahu Assefa is one of the conservative voices and social media influencers known for condemning sexual minorities online. In a YouTube video posted following the incident, which was viewed by thousands of people, he claimed that Wasihun was only one among many who were hiding and called on people to fight against homosexuality. In his speech, which demonizes sexual minorities, he argued that homosexuality is a sinful act that God does not approve of and punishes, citing a biblical story and stating that he and others do not want such punishment to befall society.

Such religious justifications are common for condemning sexual minorities in Africa. However, the views have been challenged by many African human rights advocates, including former Kenyan Chief Justice Willy Mutunga, who argues that the liberation of sexuality and spirituality is a fundamental component of African liberation and should be embraced alongside broader struggles against oppression, inequality, and domination.

What happened to Wasihun is not an isolated incident. Although his story attracted national attention because of his name and popularity, many other Ethiopians experience similar treatment that remains largely unnoticed.

Ethiopia is one of many African countries that criminalize homosexuality. The society, which is largely characterized as religious and conservative, views homosexuality as a spiritual and health issue, while others see it as a harmful culture introduced by the West for malicious reasons and believe it requires a tough response from the government. Many accuse the government of failing to wage a campaign against these minority groups.

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Reports that emerged following the incident indicated that Wasihun was fired from his job as a result. Subsequent videos showed the toll the incident had taken on Wasihun’s family. As the story gained national attention, they faced the social and emotional consequences of the controversy, including public embarrassment and significant personal distress. 

For the next few months, Wasihun remained out of public view, and there were only rumors suggesting that he was receiving holy water treatment at a monastery. He later reappeared in a new social media video a few days ago, which stirred widespread discussion online. The video showed that he was in a hospital at the time of recording and featured him asking for people’s forgiveness. It clearly revealed the severe physical and mental deterioration of the journalist, whom insiders said had been receiving mental health treatment. Recent reports also indicated that he had attempted suicide and had been experiencing significant challenges with his family members, who recently appeared in a video asking people to help support his recovery.

This series of incidents clearly demonstrates the deeply rooted misconceptions surrounding homosexuality and the gravity of the challenges sexual minorities face. Many Ethiopians are still unwilling to even have a conversation about the issue, making it extremely difficult to educate people and promote understanding. Due to the country’s legal framework regarding homosexuality, human rights advocacy groups are also unable to conduct awareness campaigns or advocacy work. In this environment of silence, combined with the growing influence of conservative voices, the condition of sexual minorities has gone from bad to worse.

Ethiopia is a signatory to international human rights covenants. While core human rights treaties do not explicitly use the term “sexual orientation,” United Nations bodies interpret the protections contained within these foundational agreements as applying equally to homosexual individuals, prohibiting discrimination and abuses based on sexual orientation, including those suffered by Wasihun. 

As such, the international community must condemn the mistreatment of sexual minorities in the country and call for action. Specifically, the African Union, African human rights organizations, and local communities should respond to the plight of these minorities, urging their Ethiopian counterparts to undertake consciousness raising and legal reforms that can ensure the protection of the human rights and dignity of sexual minorities.