Ethiopia Detains Social Media Stars Over Indecent Dressing

Ethiopian police have arrested a sixth TikTok creator, Adonay Berhane, amid ongoing controversy over “indecent attire” worn at a recent public event. The arrests have sparked a national debate about freedom of expression and cultural norms.

Berhane, 25, a lifestyle and motivational content creator with nearly four million followers, was named “TikToker of the Year” at the Ethiopia Creative Award 2025 – the very event now under scrutiny. Police announced on Wednesday evening that he was being investigated.

This brings the total number of detained influencers to six. Others arrested include Wongelawit Gebre Endrias, known as Evan, who faced criticism for going braless under a blazer, and Yohannes Mekonnen, or Jahnny, a dancer who sported a man-bag. Bereket Tsegaye, Mekdim Dereje and Girum Gezahegn are also in custody.

So far, none of the six influencers have publicly addressed their detention. However, Abeba Gebru, Adonay Berhane’s mother, expressed her shock in an interview with BBC Tigrinya. “Adonay is my backbone and an example to Ethiopian youth,” she stated.

Interestingly, Adonay spent his teenage years in Canada before returning to Ethiopia. His TikTok content often cautions against the perceived downsides of emigration, encouraging young Ethiopians to build their lives and careers at home.

While the Ethiopian government has yet to issue a formal statement, police have indicated the detainees are suspected of promoting behaviour that undermines public morality, citing concerns about the influence of online trends on the country’s youth. With over eight million social media users in Ethiopia, the incident highlights a growing tension between modern digital culture and traditional values.

Federal police have warned that further action will be taken against anyone found to be “violating the country’s cultural values” or promoting what they term “shallow culture”. The situation remains fluid, and observers are keenly watching for further developments.

Image Source: MYJOYONLINE