A memorandum of understanding signed between Ethiopia and Somaliland, a self-declared republic that is not internationally recognized, has heightened tensions between Ethiopia and Somalia. The memorandum of understanding was signed to secure Ethiopia’s access to the sea and to get recognition as a nation for Somaliland, which Somalia views as a violation of its sovereignty. This tension has been rising as Somalia asked for the withdrawal of Ethiopian troops from Somalia who were on a mission under the African Union Transion Mission In Somalia(ATMIS) and the deployment of Egyptian weapons and soldiers following its military agreement with Egypt.
A recent post on X (formerly Twitter) has sparked controversy by claiming that thousands of Ethiopian illegal refugees, except the Amhara ethnic group, are being deported from Somalia. The post included two images purportedly supporting this claim.
Upon investigation, it was revealed that the first image has been linked to reports from February 13, 2024, depicting refugees, especially from the Oromo ethnic group being deported from Bosaso, Puntland. As the report stated, the Bosaso officials have described the deportations as an essential response to the escalating violence in the city, a key port on Somalia’s coast. The operation targeted migrants accused of contributing to the local insecurity, with some detainees currently under investigation for possible connections to factions disrupting peace in the area.
The second image, meanwhile, dates back to October 20, 2021, and shows Ethiopian refugees being repatriated from Puntland. It was stated that the repatriation was done by the Puntland administration in cooperation with the United Nations International Migration Agency (IOM).
The report also addressed that the refugees took advantage of an IOM’s Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration (AVRR) program to assist refugees with repatriation and were airlifted from Bosaso. Officials confirmed that they returned safely to Ethiopia.
Some of these refugees have been stranded in Bossaso for months and want to return home.
The image, used to support the current narrative, is irrelevant to the ongoing tensions between Somalia and Ethiopia. Its timeline clearly shows that it predates the current situation by nearly three years.
Another related post by the same X account with the exact similar caption and a different picture attached has also been found to be disinforming as the picture doesn’t show Ethiopians being deported from Somalia but rather the Somali people marching against the Ethiopia-Somaliland port deal in Mogadishu, Somalia, on Jan. 11, 2024.
Such posts can exacerbate existing ethnic tensions and lead to misunderstandings about the situation on the ground. It highlights the necessity for careful verification of information before sharing.
On September 24, 2024, a post circulating on X(formerly Twitter) claimed to show images of a massive grave allegedly containing ethnic Amhara Muslims killed by the ruling Prosperity Party.
However, upon closer investigation, it has been revealed that these images are not recent but were found in various social media platforms and websites dating back from 2020.
As the images show the posts were made before four years demanding to stop genocide on the ethnic Amhara. The posts stated that the images show the incident took place in Metekel.
The Metekel massacre occurred on the night of December 22-23, 2020, in the Metekel Zone of the Benishangul-Gumuz Region in Ethiopia. Ethnic Gumuz militias attacked the homes of ethnic Amhara, Oromo, and Shinasha communities, resulting in the deaths of over 100 people. The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission reported that the attackers set houses on fire and used firearms and knives against the residents.
In response, the Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF) killed 42 suspects and arrested five officials.
Due to the time difference between the original posts and the one posted this week it can be assured that the mass graves are not recent. Misinformation and disinformation can have serious consequences, fueling tensions, inciting violence, and causing further harm to communities already affected by conflict.
In this case, the misidentification of these images has the potential to increase an already volatile situation in Ethiopia and also this post about a past incident can deepen divisions among people by bringing unresolved emotions back to the surface. This can polarise groups further, as individuals may feel compelled to defend their perspectives or relive the trauma, making it harder to move forward and heal. Additionally, some people might take the images as it is a recent incident therefore can also spread misinformation or exacerbate misunderstandings and mistrust within the community.
A recent post on X claims that half of Africa’s GDP in 2024 comes from the collective GDP of only five countries: Algeria, Egypt, Ethiopia, Nigeria, and South Africa.
As HaqCheck investigates the stated claim it has been found True!
A recent report from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has corroborated the assertion that a significant portion of Africa’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) stems from the economies of Algeria, Egypt, Ethiopia, Nigeria, and South Africa.
According to the World Economic Outlook Database released in April 2024, these five countries collectively contribute to half of the continent’s GDP, underscoring their economic significance in the region. In 2024 Africa’s total GDP with the exception of Eritrea and Western Sahara is estimated as 2,819.317Billion US $ and these five countries combined constitute the 1,445.475 Billion US $.
The IMF’s analysis highlights the substantial economic weight carried by these nations and the pivotal roles they play in driving Africa’s overall economic output. Algeria, Egypt, Ethiopia, Nigeria, and South Africa have emerged as key players in the continent’s economic landscape, demonstrating robust growth and resilience amidst various global and regional challenges.
Because of these reasons, HaqCheck rated the claim as True.
Ethiopia has witnessed many earthquakes throughout its history, with some particularly significant ones in recent years. The country is located on the East African Rift, a tectonic plate border marked by frequent earthquakes and geological instability.
A video gets more than 40 thousand views on TikTok claiming to show an earthquake incident that happened on Sunday, Oct 6, 2024, captioned “An Earthquake happening now in Addis Ababa around Sumit area”. However, HaqCheck proved the video to be false and didn’t show the incident happened.
On October 6, 2024, a 4.9 magnitude earthquake with a depth of 10 kilometers reportedly hit Ethiopia. It occurred in the Awash Fentale area in Afar Region, which is about 165 kilometers south-east of Addis Ababa. The FDRE government Communication Services has also confirmed this on its official Facebook page. The government page also states that the vibration reached from Dessie to Kombolcha, Addis Ababa, and Metehara.
Volcano Discovery is a website which alerts the public about volcanoes and earthquakes happening anywhere in the world and provides an extensive database of these phenomena in all corners of the globe. The recent earthquake in Ethiopia was also recorded by Volcano discovery.
HaqCheck analyzed the alleged video to determine its credibility and found that the original video was shared on the official Twitter account of the NHK-Japan official on March 16, 2022.
Japan’s history has been significantly influenced by its location on the Pacific Ring of Fire, known for regular seismic activity due to tectonic plate movements. The first recorded earthquake in Japan happened in 416 AD. Notable historical earthquakes include the 1703 Genroku earthquake, which devastated Edo (now Tokyo) and claimed thousands of lives.
According to a report by CBC news, on Mar 16, 2022, a powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Fukushima in northeastern Japan, smashing furniture, knocking out power and killing four people.
After the incident on March 17, 2022, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida told a parliamentary session that four people died during the quake and 97 others were injured.
The region is part of northern Japan, which was devastated by a deadly 9.0 quake and tsunami 11 years ago that also caused nuclear plant meltdowns, spewing massive radiation that still makes some parts uninhabitable.
The text below the NHK news media logo reads “Sendai Aoba Ward on 16th 11:37pm”. According to different reports, on that day, a magnitude 7.3 earthquake occurred off the Fukushima Sea in Japan. There were about 2.08 million power outages in 8 counties in Kanto 1, including Tokyo, Kanagawa, and Chiba.
HaqCheck conducted a further satellite investigation to detect the exact footage at the 00:18 second seen in the video footage, which is the Sendai Airport in Japan. From Left to right airport video footage from NHK news video and exact footage of the airport from Google Maps, respectively.
HaqCheck also attempted to contact the claimant regarding the information he posted on TikTok but received no response when this article was published.
Even though an earthquake happened in Ethiopia, and was felt in Addis Ababa, the video shows an earthquake in Japan not in Addis Ababa.
Because of these reasons, HaqCheck rated the video as false.
In recent days, a concerning trend has emerged on social media platforms – the spread of fake work visa registration posts claiming to offer a chance to secure a work visa in the United States. These posts often come with enticing promises of easy registration and quick approval, luring unsuspecting individuals into a web of deception and false hopes.
One such post currently making rounds on social media, prompts users to register their names and countries of origin on a seemingly official website touted as a gateway to obtaining a work visa in the U.S. However, this registration process takes a sinister turn when participants are informed that they must invite a minimum of 15 people to sign up to be considered eligible for visa registration.
It is crucial to highlight that this entire registration process is a sham designed to deceive and defraud individuals. The ultimate goal of these malicious actors behind such schemes is not to facilitate legitimate visa applications but to drive traffic to their websites and potentially engage in more nefarious activities.
HaqCheck has also contacted the U.S. Embassy Addis Ababa through its press and Media officer/Spokesperson, Marjon Kamrani regarding the false claim and got the response “The site is not associated with the U.S. Embassy or U.S. government. For information on visas, applicants should look to our social media and website for information on how to apply for visas.”
Therefore despite the presence of fabricated comments and testimonials meant to lend credibility to the program, it is important to recognize that this operation has no affiliation with the official U.S. work visa application process. Furthermore, it lacks the necessary legal authority to facilitate or guarantee visa issuance.
Given the commencement of the Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery program, individuals may inadvertently confuse this fraudulent scheme with the legitimate visa lottery initiative, thereby falling prey to exploitation and manipulation. It is imperative for individuals to remain vigilant and exercise caution when encountering such dubious offers online.
The US Department of the State administers the Diversity Visa (DV) immigrant visa program, which is an annual program for immigration to the United States. Up to 55,000 immigrants can enter the United States each year from countries with low rates of immigration to the United States.
The real website for application for the 2026 Diversity lottery is officially open and has the below like interface and does not request any kind of sharing on any social media platform as an application requirement.
It is essential to approach any online offers related to visa applications with skepticism and scrutiny. Verify the authenticity of the sources and refrain from sharing personal information or engaging in activities that seem suspicious or exploitative.
The other thing noticed is that during the registration in the fake website it requires a personal phone number and subsequently announce that the number provided is eligible to get a 20Gb data as a reward of “MTN OLD SIM DATA REWARD”, and to press the OK button provided to claim the reward.
MTN is a South African multinational corporation and mobile telecommunications provider.
This scam has surfaced very recently and has been proved that after pressing the link their personal information was stolen without their consent. Information Network Security Administration of Ethiopia and Ethio telecom also warned the public to refrain from visiting the links and protect their security.
By staying informed and vigilant, individuals can safeguard themselves against falling victim to fraudulent schemes and protect their personal information and financial well-being.
In the age of social media, misinformation can spread like wildfire, preying on the vulnerable and unsuspecting. In the case of Ethiopia, the spread of misinformation often intensifies alongside the country’s hot topics, reaching a vast majority. When a national event or agenda emerges, a torrent of misinformation also surges across various social media platforms.
A recent post on Facebook has caught the attention of many Ethiopians, falsely claiming that the government is offering registration for a 35,000 ETB financial aid program aimed at individuals above 18 years old. This post is nothing but a fabrication, designed to deceive and exploit those in need.
Despite its fraudulent nature, the post has garnered significant attention, with numerous individuals expressing their interest in the comments section. What is most alarming, however, is that some individuals have gone as far as sharing their personal information, including names and bank account numbers, in the hopes of receiving this non-existent aid. And the website link attached to the post for registration does not even work.
Government agencies typically do not distribute financial aid through random Facebook posts requiring personal information for registration.
Such posts sometimes open gates for scammers as can be seen in the first person’s comment stating first they have to deposit 1000 ETB then the money will be released after a month and invites those who accept this requirement to contact him inbox. This way people will deposit 1000 ETB and not get the promised money after a month.
Such scams and fraudulent actions are becoming more and more prevalent on social media. As a result, many people lost their money. Online scammers are increasingly exploiting the rapid growth of internet usage and digital transactions in Ethiopia. These scammers employ sophisticated techniques, such as phishing emails, fake websites, fake links, and social media ads to deceive individuals into revealing personal and financial information. Many people fall victim to these scams due to the convincing nature of the fraudulent communications. The rise in online scams is partly driven by the anonymity and reach that the internet provides, making it easier for scammers to target a large number of people with minimal risk of being caught.
In response to this growing threat, financial institutions and law enforcement agencies in Ethiopia are actively warning the public to be vigilant. They regularly issue alerts and provide guidelines on how to recognize and avoid scams. These organizations emphasize the importance of not sharing personal information online, verifying the authenticity of requests, and reporting suspicious activities immediately.
Despite these efforts, the persistence and evolving strategies of scammers mean that public awareness and education remain crucial in combating online fraud.
The public must exercise caution and skepticism when encountering such claims.
Following the latest political tension in the Horn of Africa, notably after the announcement of the Egyptian army’s potential presence in the coming months in Somalia, the tension has spiked. Similarly, tons of content, on both social media and mainstream media are reaching out to the people regardless of their accuracy. Haq Check has reviewed various contents regarding this topic and debunked some based on the parameters set already.
A recent post on X (formerly Twitter) has been circulating, making a false claim about Egyptian soldiers training in Somalia. The post includes a video that appears to show Egyptian troops in training, stating that these are the soldiers who Egyptians and Somalis rely on to attack Ethiopia. However, this claim is unfounded and misleading.
Upon closer examination, it has been determined that the video in question does not depict recent events in Somalia. Instead, it was found on a YouTube account called Kartony Kurdy dating back more than seven years ago with the caption “The secret was revealed … why the Iraqi army took Mosul slowly and in a long time!!!”.
The Battle of Mosul was a significant military operation that took place from October 2016 to July 2017. The goal was to recapture Mosul, Iraq’s second-largest city, from the Islamic State (ISIL), which had controlled it since June 2014 with IS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.
The operation was led by Iraqi government forces, supported by Kurdish Peshmerga fighters, various militias, and an international coalition, including the United States. The battle was marked by intense urban combat, with ISIL using tactics like suicide bombings, small drones, and booby traps. After nine months of fierce fighting, Iraqi forces declared victory in July 2017, successfully liberating the city from ISIL control.
This indicates that the content is outdated and does not reflect the current situation.
Also in the video the flag on the vehicle as well as on the ground does not represent Egypt but rather Iraq’s.
Egyptian Flag The false claim likely stems from the recent deployment of Egyptian troops to Somalia following rising tensions between Ethiopia and Somalia. The presence of Egyptian forces in the region has sparked speculation and concern, leading to the dissemination of inaccurate information.
It is important to verify the authenticity and accuracy of information shared on social media platforms. In this case, the video’s age and the lack of evidence supporting the claim clearly demonstrate its falsity.
The Oromo Youth Liberation Movement, commonly referred to as Qeerroo initiated a broad strike in Oromia beginning in early September. This strike was intended to denounce purported repression and brutality by the national government towards the Oromo people.
Qeerroo Bilisummaa Oromoo stated that “This decree for the Market Boycott and Transportation Blockade will be in effect from Friday, Pagume 1, 2017 (according to the Ethiopian calendar) until the end of the Irreecha celebration in Harsadi. This means it will be in force from Friday, September 6, 2024, according to the Gregorian calendar, until the end of the Irreecha festival in Harsadi (permission for Irreecha activities is specified separately under guidelines)”.
The movement enforced limitations on movement and established barriers on roads, resulting in multiple confrontations with individuals who disregarded these constraints.
In a recent post shared on Telegram, the details of a harrowing attack in the East Shewa Zone, Meki town of the Oromia region on 07,09, 2024 have resurfaced. Witnesses who managed to escape the attack recounted a scene of chaos and destruction, highlighting the loss of at least four drivers and extensive damage to over 30 vehicles.
The report identified the attackers as militants from the Oromo Liberation Front and also that witnesses who survived the ordeal stated that despite the attackers being affiliated with the OLF, they were seen clad in the uniforms of the Oromia region’s special forces.
However, a concerning development has emerged regarding the accompanying images attached to the post. Upon closer inspection, it was discovered that these images do not depict the incident described in the post. Instead, they have been sourced from earlier unrelated posts with different captions and incidents.
The first image was found in a Facebook post with the caption “Defense army cars were burnt in Awash city – Awash Addis Ababa road was closed. “in 22,11,2019. The post stated that youths were shot and killed in public, and today, defense army vehicles were burnt in Awash City. The Awash Addis Ababa road was closed due to the lack of action against the killers of the dead citizens. Awash is burning with grief and fire. Let the members of the armed forces who killed teenagers be brought to justice before they commit another crime! The state government should do immediate work for peace and stability.
The second image was found on a BBC NEWS AFAAN OROMOO post with a caption of “New protests in Ambo kill people”. The report was about an incident that took place on 26,10,2017 in Ambo town, Oromia. BBC reported the situation as “According to residents of Ambo town, the people started blocking the road yesterday evening to stop trucks loaded with sugar passing through the town. At least 10 people were killed and many others injured when uniformed forces opened fire at around 1 am, residents told us. Not only lives but also property were damaged and two trucks of the Dangote cement factory were destroyed in the fire.”
Even though there is no official announcement about the incident stated by the telegram account, it can be assured that the images incorporated with the post don’t show any connection with the stated place and date.
Such a misleading use of visuals not only distorts the truth but also undermines the gravity of the actual events. It is crucial for information shared on social media platforms to be accurate and responsibly presented to avoid spreading misinformation and confusion among the public.
A colossal social media campaign regarding the security situation in Ethiopia is being recorded. The campaign predominantly highlights the escalating tensions in the country, utilizing various footage regardless of their legitimacy.
Notably, since the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Ethiopia and the breakaway Somaliland in January 2024, there has been a surge in social media content focusing on Ethiopia’s security situation. Furthermore, some social media accounts that previously concentrated on different issues now cover the situation in Ethiopia.
A Twitter account with more than 10 thousand followers shared a post on September 8, 2024, claiming there was sporadic gunfire in the capital, captioned “The situation in Addis is worsening following an attack on the city by Fano forces. The ENDF (Ethiopian National Defense Force) is attempting to regain the area’s control.”
By the time this article was published, the post had more than 60 thousand views and received attention on Twitter. However, HaqCheck investigated the claim and proved the video to be False.
Link The ongoing war in the Amhara region. In April 2023, the Ethiopian federal government announced that regional special force units should be disbanded and merged. The Ethiopian federal government gives the regional paramilitary forces options to join: the national army (ENDF), the regional or federal police, the prison guard department, or the anti-riot force, or to leave the discipline and live a normal life. This government decision triggered tension and conflict with Fano militants in the region.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said last month that negotiations took place with armed militias in the Amhara region to resolve the ongoing conflict there peacefully. A spokesperson for Fano, an ethnic Amhara militia, denied holding talks with the federal government.
The shootout incident took place in the capital in April 2024.
Around the Bole sub-city, a gunfire incident happened in the capital Addis Ababa on April 20, 2024. According to the report by the Addis Ababa police, the arrested and killed militants are Nahusenay Andarge, Abenezer Gashaw, and Habtamu Andarge.
According to different reports, these militants are members of the Fano militia group, which is currently fighting in the region with the government. One of those killed was a civilian, while the other two were members of the group. According to the news report released by the police and state media, two police members were also injured.
An alleged video was also circulating on social media to show the shooting incident in Addis Ababa.
However, a search on social media reveals that the video was shared on May 5, 2023, with the caption “In the middle of Gondar town #AmharaUnderAttack”.
HaqCheck also tried locating the buildings and statues in the video using satellite imagery tools. In the 00:17 seconds of the video, a statue is seen with green, yellow, and red colors. A search on hotels in Gondar also brings similar footage including the statue and the building in front of it. The same architectural buildings seen at 00:08 second of the video are also discovered using satellite imagery and hotel searches.
Migration in any form is surging, and various people, notably the youth, are claimed to be the highest segment of society fleeing the country, as studies assert. Similarly, various advertisements of tour and travel agents claim to be legal agents who send migrants in various forms, such as scholarships and work visas. Though the legitimacy of these agents is still unconfirmed, their advertisements via various platforms are immense. Similarly, a significant number of reports have been recorded regarding people being deceived and losing their money to scam agents.
A TikTok video circulating that falsely claims the Ethiopian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Taye Atske-Selassie, issued an official letter of representation for an individual named Temesgen Agernew. It was accompanied by the caption, “It is known that Canada has made a statement that it needs a lot of manpower in its recent statement. Therefore, we have started registering 10,000 Ethiopians online through various representative organizations in our country, Ethiopia. Therefore, Ethiopians who want to register can register by fulfilling the requirements; Residence/Kebele/ID, Gender; male/female/, Age from 18-50 years, 3×4 size photo. The Government of Canada wants to cover the cost of enrollees who meet these requirements. For more information, call our phone line. You can register by calling. Congratulations again”
The video allegedly claimed that this letter allows Temesgen Agernew to collect passport, visa, and registration fees from Ethiopian citizens interested in job or educational opportunities in Canada.
One of the investigative tools known as true caller can be useful in investigations, particularly in recognizing and dealing with communication with unknown or suspicious contacts. It also turns out that the contact number in the TikTok account description reads Canada Visa”.
However, through investigation, HaqCheck has confirmed that this letter is completely fabricated and the claims in the video are false.
The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Ministry of Foreign Affairs passes its press releases as well as announcements to the public through its own social media platforms and legitimate mainstream media, not for some random TikTok account.
The letters released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have their theme and it is not like the letter distributed by the TikTok video.
The letter stated a private limited company named “ብሩህ ተስፋ የቪዛና የጉዞ አማካሪ ሀላፊነቱ የተወሰነ የግል ማህበር” which HaqCheck couldn’t get any official information about, No website, No social media accounts, nothing at all. There is only a Facebook page named “Biruh Tesfa Consultancy – ብሩህ ተስፋ የውጭ ፕሮሰስ ኤጀንሲ” which is mostly full of memes and jokes with a single advertisement that says “Congratulations you can move to Canada very cheaply. Call for full details. In its recent announcement of vacancies, Canada stated that it needs a lot of manpower. Therefore, we have started registering 45,000 Ethiopians and Eritreans online through organizations represented in our country, Ethiopia. Passport and passport photo required.”
Also, there cannot be any official information on the identity of the individual named Temesgen Agernew who is also the owner of the bank account put in the letter.
Furthermore, since there is no legal connection between the Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the individual, the ministry could not give a representation letter for him, it is against the law.
Basically, rather than the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, issues regarding foreign employment opportunities for Ethiopian citizens are implemented by the Ministry of Labor and Skills.
Taye Atske-Selassie did not issue any such letter, and Temesgen Agernew does not have any official standing to be collecting fees or processing documents on behalf of the Ethiopian government, The signature they used as of Mr. Taye Atske-Sellassise’ is not the signature of the minister.
Since it provides Temesgen Agernew’s personal commercial bank account number and encourages viewers to deposit fees to secure passports, visas, and employment/education placements in Canada. This fraudulent scheme with no legitimate connection to the Ethiopian government, might have intended to defraud innocent citizens.
The TikTok account not only posted this video there is also another video with similar content and another video claiming a list of names of people who are approved as well as rejected by Maple Leaf Foods, one of Canada’s large food producer companies. Here in this letter, unlike the previous one, was signed by a person named Mesfin Teshome Aklilu and titled “A company owner and General Director” also there is a stamp representing “Biruhtesfa General Trading PLC”. On the other hand, it used Minister Taye Atske-Sellasie’s titer stamp of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia. Even if the photo was shared as it was received from Maple Leaf Foods it doesn’t include the company’s stamp or a signature of the responsible personnel of the company.
HaqCheck contacted the Canadian Embassy in Ethiopia, and received a response regarding such scams online. “Anyone can check if a person is licensed to represent immigrants or to give advice using the link: Find out if your representative is authorized – Canada.ca.” The embassy also verified to HaqCheck via email that the Canadian government has issued no job announcements for Ethiopians.
If anyone needs to immigrate to Canada, they need to use the official website: Immigrate to Canada – Canada.ca. The Embassy of Canada to Ethiopia does not provide assistance or guidance with filling out immigration-related applications.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs received the email we sent, but they haven’t replied yet.
They deceive individuals with forged stamps, signatures, and letters of representation, demanding upfront payments for services they cannot deliver. This is a deceptive tactic designed to exploit unsuspecting people hoping to travel to Canada.
Even if efforts by Haq Check to contact the owners of the ad to investigate further were unsuccessful, all other documents show the letters and information distributed by the TikTok account are False.