Diriba Lemessa Dinagde and Gonfe Nurgi Tolasa are ordinary people who live simple lives. The loving couple met in the late 70s and have been inseparable ever since. They had a small, simple ceremony devoting themselves to one another and had plans to start growing their family. Diriba and Gonfe lived on a small farm in Horro Gudur Wallagga Zone, Guduru district, Hula area, where they raised their six sons. Diriba and Gonfe taught their sons responsibility, respect, and the way of the land. Like all children, when the boys grew-up they went on to make their own decisions. One of their sons, Marroo Diriba or better known as Jaal Marroo, chose to become a well-known OLA commander and lead an armed struggle against the persecution of the Ethiopian government.
On December 28th, 2020, Diriba and Gonfe were on their farm enjoying a quiet evening when Security Forces invaded their home and arrested them. They were taken to jail where they were severally beaten and tortured, in attempt to force them to give up the location of their son, Jaal Marro. After numerous days of torture, the Security Forces released Gonfe in a condition no elderly mother should have to sustain. The pain she endured at the hands of the Security Forces does not compare to the pain of not knowing the condition and whereabouts of her beloved husband, Diriba. Gonfe has repeatedly demanded answers to the whereabouts and condition of her husband but has yet to get answers.
This is the story of Diriba and Gonfe.