This exclusive AP report stood out for its courage, ingenuity and rare access in documenting a largely hidden conflict in Ethiopia’s Oromia region — a place where independent reporting is nearly impossible.
At the center of the story is a rare interview with an elusive commander from the Oromo Liberation Army. Amir Aman Kiyaro had previously been detained for four months while trying to report on the same conflict. Undeterred, he continued pursuing the story from exile, carefully rebuilding trust with sources and ultimately securing exclusive access that shed light on a brutal war largely overlooked by the international community.
With Oromia cut off from the internet, Kiyaro created a filming standards guide in the local language and trained a local cameraman to shoot video on a smartphone. The footage and interviews were then physically smuggled out on a memory card — a testament to the personal risk and logistical challenges involved.
Working closely with editor Khaled Kazziha, Kiyaro ensured balance by speaking with civilians, experts and human rights organizations. The story documented abuses by both Ethiopian forces and rebel fighters, including executions, abductions, torture and rape, offering readers critical context on a complex and violent conflict.
Judges described the work as “so courageous, so well done,” highlighting the painstaking reporting, the danger involved in gathering visuals and the clarity of the writing.
For fearless reporting, innovative newsgathering under severe restrictions, and an exclusive look at a conflict the world rarely sees, Amir Aman Kiyaro wins this week’s Best of AP — First Winner.
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