Girma is a former editor of the Amharic newspaper Addis Zemen and author of an Amharic-language novel Oromiya (Enough), which is reportedly critical of the government. He “disappeared” around April 1984 in Addis Ababa. His whereabouts are unknown despite several inquiries by his family with the police and security authorities in Addis Ababa. According to Amnesty International, unconfirmed sources allege that he was seized by government agents. Girma was fired from his job at the newspaper several months before his “disapperance.”