False: The image doesn’t prove Eritrean soldiers torturing civilians in Shire, Tigray

An image circulating on social media claiming Eritrean soldiers were torturing civilians in Shire, Tigray, is debunked. The image was shared widely on Facebook and Twitter, with some posts later deleted. The conflict between Ethiopian forces and the TPLF resumed on August 24, 2022, leading to the capture of several towns in Tigray by Ethiopian and Eritrean forces. Amnesty International reported killings by Eritrean troops in Sheraro town. The article emphasizes that the claims made by the image are unverified and part of misinformation.

False: The image doesn’t confirm recent drones attacks

An image tweeted on September 15, 2022, claiming drone attacks in Mekelle, Tigray, was debunked by HaqCheck. The image, initially posted by VOA three years ago, does not depict the alleged drone attack. The article provides a detailed background on the conflict between the Ethiopian government and TPLF, including the unilateral ceasefire, resumed fighting, and peace talks facilitated by the African Union's special envoy, Olusegun Obasanjo. HaqCheck concluded that the tweet's claim was false due to the use of an inaccurate image.

False: The picture does not show firearms seized by Afar troops during a recent conflict

The article discusses a Facebook post that claimed Afar troops seized firearms from Tigrayan forces, accompanied by a picture of ammunition. The post, which has been shared widely, was fact-checked by HaqCheck, who determined that the image is old and unrelated to the current conflict in northern Ethiopia, thus rating the claim as FALSE. The article also provides context about the ongoing war in Ethiopia, which began in November 2020 and involves the TPLF and ENDF. It has affected Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Sudan, particularly the Tigray, Amhara, and Afar regions. The Ethiopian government is seeking to initiate a national dialogue for consensus and unity, and has pardoned some political prisoners. Despite this, the Afar regional state has accused Tigrayan forces of continuing offensives in the region. The image in question was actually from 2014, showing weapons recovered by AMISOM in Somalia.

UN to evacuate families from Ethiopia as rebels claim advance on the capital

The article reports on the UN's decision to evacuate families of international staff from Ethiopia amidst claims by Tigrayan rebels of advancing towards the capital, Addis Ababa. It highlights the rebels' alleged proximity to the capital, with some fighters believed to have reached Debre Sina, a town reportedly 30 kilometers from Addis Ababa. However, the article's credibility is questioned as HaqCheck, a fact-checking service, reveals that Debre Sina is actually 189 kilometers away from the capital, not 30. This discrepancy has led to the report being rated as misleading. The conflict between TPLF forces and the Ethiopian Federal Government has escalated, prompting embassies to advise citizens to leave the country. Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has also announced his intention to lead the army from the front lines.

Institution building in Ethiopia: Hopes and threat of NEBE’s Restructuring

The article discusses the reforms undertaken by the National Election Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) since the appointment of Birtukan Mideksa as its chairperson by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. It covers the changes made to election laws, the conduct of a referendum in the Sidama region, and the recent elections held in most constituencies. The piece includes various perspectives on the NEBE's performance and credibility, with some praising the progress and others questioning its independence and decisions. The article also presents the results of a social media poll on public trust in the NEBE before and after the elections, indicating a majority of respondents trust the Board. However, the NEBE did not comment on its institution-building process for this article.

Professor Getatchew Haile - Custodian of Ancient Manuscripts

Professor Getatchew Haile, a revered Ethiopian scholar and custodian of ancient manuscripts, passed away on June 4, 2013. Born in 1924, he was a prominent figure in Ethiopian and Oriental studies, proficient in many languages, and made significant contributions to the preservation and study of Ethiopian literature and history. He held positions at Saint John's University and was recognized by the British Academy and the MacArthur Fellows Program for his academic achievements. Despite political turmoil in Ethiopia, he remained apolitical, focusing on his academic and religious commitments. His legacy includes over 250 scholarly articles, numerous book translations, and a profound impact on the study of Semitic languages and Ethiopian studies.

The 2021 National Election and Course of Disinformation

The article discusses the history of general elections in Ethiopia since 1995, highlighting the dominance of the EPRDF party in most elections and the political turmoil that ensued, including the resignation of former Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn. It praises the reforms made by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, particularly in the National Election Board of Ethiopia (NEBE). The 2021 elections were noted for being fairer despite some complaints and irregularities. The article also delves into the issue of disinformation during the election period, with examples of fabricated content, fake social media accounts, and manipulated media content. It mentions Facebook's removal of fake accounts linked to the Information Network Security Agency of Ethiopia and the spread of misinformation during and after the elections. NEBE's responses to various complaints are also covered. The article concludes by emphasizing the need for the public to verify information and for social media platforms to work with local fact-checkers to combat disinformation.