NAIROBI / ADDIS ABABA – The Foreign Press Association, Africa (FPAA) has issued an official statement strongly condemning the arrest and eight-day detention of Ethiopian-Canadian journalist Samuel Getachew and Associated Press (AP) journalist and videographer Amanuel Gebremedhin Birhane by Ethiopian authorities.
Both journalists were arrested on Friday, October 2, 2026, in connection with their media work and coverage surrounding the escalating security situation in the Tigray region. Following eight days in custody, both media workers were released on Saturday, October 10.
In a public message following his release, Samuel Getachew expressed gratitude to colleagues, friends, and family who navigated diplomatic and legal channels behind the scenes, writing: “I was arrested ten days ago and released this weekend… I still hope to find a safe space to do journalism.”
Responding to the arrests, the Nairobi-based Foreign Press Association stressed that the release of the media professionals does not diminish the gravity of their initial arbitrary detention. The association emphasized that press freedom and the safety of reporters remain essential rights that must be protected, particularly during times of conflict and heightened political sensitivity.
“Journalism has never been a crime. No journalist should be imprisoned for doing their job,” the FPAA statement read. “Allowing such arrests to go unanswered risks creating a climate of fear and self-censorship, with serious consequences for accountability, transparency and democracy.”
The association called on Ethiopian federal and regional authorities to respect due process, uphold international press freedom standards, and ensure that local and foreign journalists can investigate, document, and report on events of public interest without fear of harassment, retaliation, or arbitrary arrest.
