Hostage Situation And Its Resolution In Ethiopia

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the practice of handling hostage situations and their resolution in Ethiopia. Hostage-taking, often used by criminals such as terrorists, emotionally disturbed individuals, and mentally ill persons, poses a significant threat to government officials, investors, and tourists, thereby affecting the country's development and peace. This research aims to provide insights into the existing response mechanisms and suggest improvements for handling such crises. The study employs a qualitative approach with a desktop research methodology and a descriptive design. Data were collected through document reviews and interviews with purposively selected police officers and victims who have direct experience with hostage situations. The collected data were analyzed thematically to identify patterns and draw conclusions. The findings reveal that Ethiopia has encountered several hostage situations, but the predominant response by the police has been the use of force rather than negotiation. This approach has highlighted the lack of a dedicated hostage negotiation team and clear guidelines for resolving such crises. The study concludes that there is an urgent need for the Ethiopian police to establish a hostage negotiation department staffed with professional negotiators. Additionally, the government should develop and implement negotiation policies and strategies. The absence of clear guidelines and previous research on hostage resolution in Ethiopia underscores the importance of this study, which can serve as a valuable reference for students, policymakers, and lawmakers in enhancing the country's approach to managing hostage situations.