Fact Checks

A Facebook post by EBC fact-check, a fact-checking unit of Ethiopian Broadcast Corporation, regarding Tizita Geremew, a PhD student and former lecturer at Wollo University, garnered significant attention on social media. EBC fact-check explored the story of Tizita, formerly a statistics teacher at Wollo University, with the headline “The Beggar Candidate Doctor And The Truth.” The post asserts Tizita’s situation based on an interview with Wollo University’s human resource director, Bedimariam Akalu. Bedimariam explained to EBC fact-check that Tizita Geremew used to teach at the university but faced challenges in attending classes consistently and struggled to teach effectively due to mental health issues and other difficulties. He further stated that despite Wollo University’s recommendation for her to remain, Tizita resigned due to her ongoing health concerns.

Tizita Geremew has been teaching statistics at Wollo University from 2012 to 2024. As HaqCheck can see in the service certificate she acquired, she moved to Addis after she quit her teaching job at the university after asking for her work experience letter from the university in August 2023 and left on February 20, 2024, she quit mainly because of her current health issue and the economic barriers she faced there. The question of survival didn’t get an answer when she moved to the capital, Addis Ababa, forcing her to go out to the streets and ask for help. 

EBC fact check refers to Tizitas’s situation after claiming to check the truth behind her, which includes only one phone call to Wollo University’s human resource director. The article, which tends to bring the truth to the audience, uses one phone call to conclude Tizitas’s financial situation and current struggle to live. EBC posted the conversation they had with the HR director of Wollo University, who referred to Tizita as a mentally ill person and then added that she didn’t accept the offer made by Wollo University not to quit her job.

As HaqCheck investigated the previous posts, EBC Fact Check most likely seemed interested in sharing details on claims it had found to be misleading regarding government-affiliated entities. As is evident, the fact-checking page contains quite a few non-governmental and foreign incidents; instead, announcements taken from institutions of government such as the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia, Ethiopian Airlines, Government Communication Service, Information Network Security Administration, City and Federal security forces, and others make up over 90% of its content. Instead of being a fact checker, the website might be imagined as a reporter. Sometimes, it simply shares information without providing any evidence of its own or by using other fact-checking organizations like AFP as a source.


EBC fact-check failed to follow the basic fact-checking process that can lead to the truth; from the above article and clip, any third party dare say that EBC didn’t conduct and deliver a shred of evidence proving the claim that the HR director has made of Wollo University. The fact-checking process did not evaluate the information they got from the story’s owner, which will make it be presented unfairly. The claim made by the HR manager and then by EBC presumed Tizita’s mental health without any proof. EBC fact-check is needed to fully understand the content of their fact-checking, leading to misuse of the contexts in Tizitas’ situation. Tizita was seeking only financial support, whereas EBC fact-check tried to contact Wollo University as if she was trying to defame the institution. 

In our investigation into the EBC fact check’s coverage of the woman formerly employed at Wolo University, we conducted a phone interview with Tizita Geremew. This interview provided valuable insights into the circumstances surrounding her departure from the university and challenged some of the claims made by EBC. Former statistics teacher Tizita spent twelve years teaching with additional community work. She was also a dedicated and respected member of the faculty, and her decision to leave was influenced by external factors unrelated to her mental health. Tizita believes that the claim made by the university will make her struggle to get a job and it also has the potential to cause discrimination against her. Tizta underlines that she doesn’t have any mental health issues. She added that she was teaching there and studying while the director worked in the human resource department. The Director mentioned that she had a mental illness without any medical proof. From her words, she only met the HR Director twice, making the individual unfit to assume Tizita’s health situation. 

We have also received documents from Tizita Geremew proving her significant employment history at the university. The letter from the college administrator, combined with her experience letter and other credentials, demonstrates her active involvement in statistics and related subjects. These documents are essential for validating Tizita Geremew’s professional background and expertise. The experience letter will likely explain her duties, responsibilities, and accomplishments at the university. Furthermore, her diplomas confirm her qualifications and expertise in statistics and related fields. These materials provide a detailed picture of Tizita Geremew’s academic career path, highlighting her dedication and expertise in her subject.



In examining EBC’s coverage of Tizita’s situation, it becomes evident that their fact-checking process exhibits several noticeable lapses; on April 23, 2024, a journalist at EBC who wanted to stay anonymous stated that “it was necessary to verify the information from multiple sources instead of relying only on one.”, He then added, “Tizita needed to deliver documents.”, but as we can see from their report, they didn’t ask her or try to involve her in the checking process before publishing the post. One of the primary shortcomings of the EBC fact-checking process is its reliance on a single source of information, which was only the university’s human resources. They only depend on the perspective of one individual. EBC fact checks may have overlooked alternative viewpoints but failed to comprehensively understand the situation.

Furthermore, EBC’s coverage appears to lack cross-checking of the claims made by the university regarding Tizita’s mental health to ensure accuracy. The absence of cross-checking raises concern about the ”EBC fact check” fact-checking process. Lastly, EBC didn’t follow up with deceptions to ensure the accuracy and completeness of their fact-checking, even if the aim was to reveal the truth. From our interview with Tizita and the documents she shared, Tizita started working at “Champion Communication” as a data researcher in the EBR Economic Research and Business Intelligence unit on April 3, 2024.

Journalism has its ethical principles that journalists must follow. Privacy is one consideration that journalists need to be responsible for. EBC Fact Check coverage of Tizita’s situation raises concern about the invasion of Tizita’s privacy rights. Hailegiorgis Mamo(PhD), media ethics lecturer at the School of Journalism at Addis Ababa University, argues that since the Tizita story involves private health details it must not be displayed by EBC also Wollo University since it is confidential, in the sense of journalism this kind of personal details need to be safeguarded by media. “Regretfully, both parties divulged delicate personal information that might hurt her future professional and interpersonal relationships.” There are some ethical considerations during any kind of fact-checking. The claim made by the university HR head on the mental health of Tizita must have been kept and protected by the university and EBC. Publicly disclosing sensitive information about her mental health without her consent or proper verification, EBC may have infringed upon Tizit’s right to privacy.

In conclusion, the post made by EBC that covers Tizita’s situation reveals significant ethical concerns of journalism regarding accuracy, transparency, and privacy rights. Only relies on a single source and tends not to cross-check, potentially violating Tizita’s privacy and implicating Tizita’s well-being. The EBC Fact Check report raises questions about the standards of a responsible journalist and the fact-checking process. Moving forward, media organizations like EBC must do their journalistic work reasonably and prioritize thoughtful reporting. This can be achieved by adhering to all guidelines, consulting, legal expertise, and reporting for accurate outcomes only.

The November 2023 Disinformation Analysis highlights several examples of misleading and false information circulating online in Ethiopia. These claims touch upon various aspects of Ethiopia’s political and economic landscape, including the country’s GDP growth, troop movements, and the death of a journalist.

Misleading Claim: Ethiopia’s GDP Doubled in Five Years

In November 2023, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD) made the claim that Ethiopia’s GDP had doubled within the preceding five years. This statement, however, is inaccurate and misleading.

GDP, or Gross Domestic Product, represents the total monetary value of goods and services produced within a country during a specific year. Economic growth, therefore, refers to an increase in the production of goods and services, not merely an inflation in prices. Consequently, real GDP, rather than nominal GDP, serves as the most accurate measure of economic growth, as it accounts for changes in the general price level.

An examination of economic data reveals that Ethiopia’s real GDP only increased from 1.7 trillion Birr in 2018 to 2.2 trillion Birr in 2022, falling short of doubling. Furthermore, Ethiopia’s nominal GDP, when converted to US dollars, did not double either.

Therefore, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s claim that “Ethiopia’s GDP doubled in five years” is misleading and does not accurately reflect the country’s economic growth trajectory.

False Claim: Blinken Called for ENDF Withdrawal from Amhara

A social media claim circulated that US Secretary of State Antony Blinken had called for the withdrawal of the Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF) from the Amhara regional state. This claim is false.

On November 2, 2023, Secretary Blinken issued a statement commemorating the one-year anniversary of the Pretoria Agreement, which brought an end to the two-year war between the Ethiopian government and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF). In his statement, Blinken commended both sides for their commitment to the agreement and urged Ethiopia and Eritrea to refrain from provocative actions and respect the independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of all countries in the region.

Secretary Blinken also expressed concern about the ongoing internal conflicts within Ethiopia and called for dialogue to resolve the conflicts in the Amhara and Oromia regional states. However, a thorough review of his statement commemorating the Pretoria Agreement reveals no explicit demand for the withdrawal of the ENDF from Amhara.

However, a review of Blinken’s statement commemorating the one-year anniversary of the Pretoria Agreement found no explicit demand for ENDF withdrawal. Therefore, the claim that Blinken called for the withdrawal of the ENDF from Amhara was found to be false.

False Claim: Eritrea Deploying Troops to Ethiopian Border

Social media posts claimed that Eritrea was deploying troops to the Ethiopian border. The posts use two images to support this claim.

During the conflict between the TPLF and the Ethiopian government, Eritrea played a significant role in supporting the central government. Notably, despite its involvement in the conflict, Eritrea did not participate in the negotiations or the subsequent signing of the peace agreement that concluded the war a year ago.

Recent statements from the Ethiopian government have emphasized the country’s aspiration to secure its own access to the sea, either through the Red Sea or the Indian Ocean. The Eritrean government has expressed opposition to this statement.

Amidst this context, the social media claim regarding Eritrean troop deployments emerged.

However, the images used to support this claim were old and did not depict recent troop movements.

Manipulated Video: Chief of Staff Birhanu Jula Said ENDF Exhausted by Fano Militants

A viral TikTok video purported to show Ethiopian Chief of General Staff Field Marshal Birhanu Jula admitting that the ENDF was overwhelmed by Fano militants. However, this claim is based on a manipulated video that misrepresents General Jula’s original statement.

The Ethiopian government’s decision to disarm and integrate special police forces in regional states into regional police, federal police, and the Ethiopian military sparked armed conflict between Fano militants and the ENDF in the Amhara region. Against this backdrop, the misleading TikTok video emerged, suggesting that Fano militants were gaining the upper hand in the Amhara region, with General Birhanu Jula’s supposed statement seemingly confirming this.

However, the TikTok video was deliberately altered to create this false impression. The original speech, published on YouTube two weeks prior, did not contain any statement about the ENDF being overwhelmed by Fano militants. The TikTok video was created by splicing together phrases from the original speech to fabricate a misleading narrative.

Therefore, the claim that General Birhanu Jula admitted the ENDF’s struggle against Fano militants is false and based on a manipulated video.

False Claim: President Sahle-Work Zewde Sought Asylum in US

Social media claims alleged that Ethiopian President Sahle-Work Zewde had traveled to the US and sought asylum there. These claims emerged against the backdrop of recent defections by several individuals, including journalists and an official from Ethiopia, who have sought political asylum in Europe and the United States.

Last month, Asemahegn Asres, a former Head of the Communication Bureau of the Amhara Region and vice chairman of the Parliament’s Standing Committee for Trade & Tourism Affairs, defected and sought political asylum abroad. Two weeks ago, reports indicated that Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation journalist Mekdes Tilahun, who had recently traveled to the United States with President Sahle-Work Zewde, had disappeared from the airport.

In October, during a joint parliamentary session, President Sahle-Work Zewde expressed her disappointment at the lack of unity and reconciliation in Ethiopia, which has led to recurring conflicts and violence.

It was within this context that the claim regarding President Sahlewerk Zewde’s supposed defection and asylum-seeking in the US surfaced. However, recent news reports and confirmations from the UN Peacebuilding Commission indicate that President Zewde is currently in Ethiopia. On November 14, she received a delegation from the United Nations Peacebuilding Commission in Addis Ababa. This news was confirmed by the UN Peacebuilding Commission itself.

Therefore, the claim that President Sahle-Work Zewde sought asylum in the US is false and lacks any credible evidence.

False Claim: Journalist Asfaw Meshesha Died

A YouTube video claimed that Ethiopian journalist Asfaw Meshesha had died after being hospitalized. The video used misleading clips and images of mourners to support this fabricated claim. However, EBS, the broadcaster where Meshesha works, confirmed that he is alive and well.

Asfaw Meshesha is a well-known journalist who co-hosts the popular EBS TV show, Ehudn be EBS. Media reports indicated that he recently suffered a stroke and was admitted to a hospital in Addis Ababa. Following this incident, he traveled to the United States to seek advanced medical treatment.

It was against this backdrop that the false claim regarding Meshesha’s death emerged. The YouTube video employed manipulative editing techniques to create an impression of grief and mourning, which was entirely fabricated. EBS has since confirmed that Meshesha is alive and recovering from his medical condition.

Therefore, the claim that Asfaw Meshesha passed away is false. EBS confirmed that Meshesha is alive.

False Claim: Ethiopia’s Economy Bigger than Neighbors Combined

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed claimed that Ethiopia’s economy was bigger than those of its neighboring countries combined. However, an examination of economic data reveals that this claim is inaccurate.

Abiy Ahmed assumed power in April 2018, promising economic and political reforms to promote prosperity and democratization. The Ethiopian government, led by the Prosperity Party, maintains that these reforms have significantly improved the country’s economic performance.

Prime Minister Abiy has consistently emphasized Ethiopia’s positive economic trajectory and steady growth. Recently, he claimed that Ethiopia’s GDP had doubled within the past five years.

During an address to students, Prime Minister Abiy emphasized Ethiopia’s economic growth. He used a comparison of Ethiopia’s economy with its neighbors to support his assertion of the country’s economic progress.

Ethiopia’s economy, measured by nominal GDP, was the second largest in East Africa after Kenya five years ago. In 2018, Ethiopia’s nominal GDP stood at 84.4 billion USD, while Kenya’s nominal GDP was 91.2 billion USD.

In 2022, Ethiopia’s nominal GDP had increased to 126.8 billion USD, while Kenya’s nominal GDP stood at 119.5 billion USD. Consequently, Ethiopia’s economy, measured by nominal GDP, is the largest in East Africa.

However, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s claim that Ethiopia’s economy surpasses the combined GDP of its neighboring countries is inaccurate. Combining the nominal GDPs of Kenya and Sudan results in a figure significantly higher than that of Ethiopia.

Also, the combined nominal GDPs of Ethiopia’s five neighboring countries (excluding Eritrea and Somaliland) in 2022 amounted to 170 billion USD, exceeding Ethiopia’s 120.37 billion USD.

While Ethiopia has the largest nominal GDP in East Africa, a comparison of GDPs from its neighboring countries reveals that the combined GDP of Ethiopia’s neighbors exceeds Ethiopia’s.

Recommendations

HaqCheck urges social media users to adopt a critical approach when evaluating online information. Exercise caution and always verify claims from unknown or unverified sources before sharing them.

We encourage public institutions and other relevant entities to provide regular and timely updates to the public. Access to accurate information is crucial for minimizing the circulation of disinformation.

Social media content creators hold a significant responsibility in preventing the spread of misinformation. They must exercise caution and refrain from disseminating false or misleading information.

The government should uphold the public and media’s right to access information, ensuring that they have the necessary resources to verify and share accurate information.

Ethiopia’s Ministry of Education administers standardized assessments, including the Grade 12 or university entrance exam, to evaluate student performance. In recent years, the overall passing rate has experienced a significant decline, sparking widespread concern.

This decline has prompted students to explore alternative avenues for higher education, leading to a surge in demand for foreign education opportunities. However, this increased demand has also fostered the emergence of deceptive practices within the foreign education consultancy industry.

While reputable consultancies exist, it is essential to expose the misleading tactics employed by unscrupulous individuals within this sector. This article aims to shed light on these deceptive practices, emphasizing the importance of informed decision-making when selecting an education consultancy.

The Ethiopian foreign education consultancy landscape comprises a range of consultancies, with varying degrees of legitimacy. Some consultancies operate with registered licenses, while others operate without proper authorization. The prevalence of deceptive practices employed by these unlicensed or illegal consultancies is particularly concerning.

Evidence indicates that these consultancies are increasingly engaging in false promises and misleading advertisements, primarily through popular social media platforms like TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram. These advertisements often make exaggerated claims about guaranteed admissions to prestigious universities, scholarships, and lucrative post-graduation employment opportunities.

However, these promises are often baseless and serve primarily to attract vulnerable students who are desperately seeking to secure their future. The reality is that admissions to reputable universities are highly competitive, scholarships are limited, and post-graduation job prospects depend on a multitude of factors.

Another deceptive tactic employed by disreputable consultancies is the falsification of credentials and affiliations. To gain credibility and trust, these consultancies may fabricate partnerships with renowned universities, government agencies, or accreditation bodies that do not exist. By presenting themselves as authorized representatives of prestigious institutions, they exploit the aspirations of students and their families, leading them to believe they are receiving credible guidance.

Additionally, disreputable consultancies may fabricate success stories and testimonials, creating fake profiles of students who supposedly achieved remarkable outcomes through their services. These fabricated success stories and testimonials are strategically placed on websites, brochures, and social media platforms to instill confidence in potential clients. However, these accounts are far from genuine and serve as a means to manipulate and mislead students.

Furthermore, some consultancies manipulate information to their advantage, withholding crucial details such as the actual costs involved, visa requirements, or job market conditions in the chosen destination. By creating a false sense of security, they lure students into making ill-informed decisions that may have serious financial and career implications.

In some instances, consultancies may even engage in unauthorized practices, claiming to be recruitment agents or representatives of universities. They may charge exorbitant fees for application processing under the pretense of having direct connections with admissions departments.

It is important to note that legitimate universities have designated channels and authorized agents for student recruitment. Students falling prey to these unauthorized practices risk losing money, wasting time on fraudulent applications, and jeopardizing their chances of securing admissions to reputable institutions.

Certain education consultancies may make enticing promises of financial support, including pocket money and full tuition coverage at designated universities. However, these false assurances often lead to visa application rejections, causing significant distress and financial hardship.

Driven by desperation for opportunities, many individuals have fallen prey to these fraudulent practices, incurring substantial financial losses. Consultancies may demand prepayments of up to 300,000 birr, a considerable amount for Ethiopian families. Some families have even resorted to selling their land in an attempt to secure a brighter future for their children.

HaqCheck dedicated its efforts to uncovering these scams and the associated misinformation, gathering firsthand accounts from victims. The harrowing experiences of these individuals underscore the emotional and financial toll caused by these deceptive practices, emphasizing the urgent need for stricter regulations and oversight within the foreign education consultancy industry to safeguard others from falling victim to fraudulent schemes.

While the majority of applicants genuinely seek to pursue higher education, some individuals are solely motivated by the prospect of leaving the country and seeking asylum. These decisions, even among asylum seekers facing homelessness in Toronto, highlight the pervasive influence of disinformation.

In response to the rampant spread of misinformation, Ethiopians residing abroad who have successfully pursued educational opportunities are actively sharing detailed information regarding the required documentation and application procedures through various channels. Individuals like Estifanos from Ohub and Gedion are among those providing invaluable guidance.

Credible platforms, such as the Col John Robinson American Corner, provide accurate information and descriptions regarding foreign education. They regularly host education fairs at the US embassy and Satchmo Center, where students have the opportunity to connect with experts who offer detailed explanations of the legal pathways to securing scholarship opportunities and visas.

Even if education consultancies demonstrate a genuine commitment to guiding and assisting students, it remains crucial to recognize and expose the disinformation tactics employed by unscrupulous individuals within the sector. Students and their families must exercise utmost vigilance and conduct thorough research before engaging with any consultancy.

Verifying credentials, seeking recommendations, and meticulously cross-checking information are essential steps in making informed decisions. Empowering students with the knowledge and tools to make discerning choices is crucial in safeguarding their educational aspirations.

Recent claims on social media, particularly on Twitter, allege that the Lalibela rock-hewn churches, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Ethiopia, were damaged by an air strike conducted by the Ethiopian army on November 11, 2023.

These claims emerged against the backdrop of the ongoing armed conflict in the Amhara region between Fano militants and the Ethiopian armed forces. Recent clashes have been reported in the historic town of Lalibela, near the UNESCO-registered churches.

The Lalibela rock-hewn churches, comprising 11 monolithic churches intricately carved from solid rock in the 13th century, stand as a pivotal pilgrimage destination for Ethiopian Orthodox Christians. These churches are esteemed as one of Ethiopia’s most significant cultural and religious landmarks.

Over the centuries, the Lalibela churches have suffered damage from erosion and weathering. Some churches are at risk due to erosion, primarily caused by weathering that damages the stone surfaces. Recent conservation and restoration projects have been implemented at the site.

There have been several restoration campaigns since the early 20th century. Notably, three successive campaigns were conducted in 1920, 1954, and 1966-68 under Sandro Angelini, an Italian architect and conservator known for his work in the field of historical monument restoration direction. The initial restorations in 1920 and 1954 were hastily done without scientific precautions, using excessive cement, which worsened the condition of the churches. Angelini had to correct these negative aspects in later restorations.

UNESCO, the US, and the European Union are among those supporting the restoration and maintenance efforts of the churches.

The European Union funded the construction of temporary shelters over five churches to protect them from weathering while conservation studies and activities were being carried out.

In 2008, UNESCO built temporary shelters over five churches to protect five Lalibela churches.

However, the shelters caused vibration and noise, and their weight strained the delicate structures. The shelters’ heavyweight, susceptibility to wind damage, and lack of scientific monitoring have led to fears that they may collapse and damage the churches.

Therefore, a new conservation study was initiated in 2019 to recommend an alternative protection for the long-term conservation of the churches.

In March 2019, French President Macron visited the Lalibela churches site with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and pledged assistance in preserving, restoring, and enhancing the area.

The renovation and restoration project, initiated by the French embassy in September 2019, stopped when the war between the Ethiopian government and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) spilled over into the Amhara regional state.

The conflict between the Ethiopian government and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) has raised concerns about the fate of the Lalibela churches. While the TPLF took control of Lalibela in August 2021, the Ethiopian government regained control in December 2021.

In October 2022, France granted Ethiopia 5 million euros to support preserving and restoring the Lalibela churches. The grant was provided to conduct the preparatory phase of a program focused on preserving and restoring the churches.

The Amhara region of Ethiopia has been the site of an ongoing armed conflict between the Ethiopian government and Fano armed militants since the government began disbanding regional special police forces and integrating them into the regional regular police, federal police, and the Ethiopian military.

Recently, conflicts and confrontations between Fano and the Ethiopian army have been documented in various areas of the Amhara region, including the North Showa and Oromo special zones.

Furthermore, hostilities have broken out in the historic Ethiopian town of Lalibela, where government forces clashed with Fano militants, including a recent skirmish near the Lalibela rock-hewn churches involving the Fano militia and the Ethiopian army.

The armed conflict has raised concerns about the safety of Lalibela’s UNESCO World Heritage Site churches. Recent clashes have caused ground vibrations due to heavy weapons fire, adding to the uncertainty surrounding the safety and preservation of this cultural heritage site.

The town of Lalibela has experienced recurrent armed clashes between Fano militia groups and Ethiopian military troops. Fighting was reported on September 20, October 1, and October 8, with Fano militants capturing the town for hours on October 8 before being recaptured by Ethiopian Defense Forces on October 9.

Media reports indicate that heavy artillery weapons were employed during these recurrent clashes, leading to ground vibrations when weapons were discharged.

The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church expressed concern about the safety of the monolith churches of Lalibela, with Abune Ermias, archbishop of North Wollo and Kemise Diocese, stating that the Lalibela churches are at high risk due to the fighting.

Responding to concerns, the Amhara Regional Culture and Tourism Bureau refuted allegations circulating on social media that the Lalibela churches were damaged during the fighting. This statement followed reports alleging damage to the churches during clashes between Ethiopian army troops and Fano militants in Lalibela.

Abebaw Ayalew, director-general of the Authority for Research and Conservation of Cultural Heritage, stated that a committee of seven individuals visited Lalibela to assess whether the churches sustained damages.

He noted vibrations in the area but confirmed no new cracks in the walls and structures of the churches. Abebaw stated that the office is investigating whether the vibrations caused previous cracks to widen and aggravate using three-dimensional (3D) tools.

Abebaw stated that the committee verified the churches were undamaged by weapons and fragments. Yet, they did discover a newly lodged bullet on the fence of the museum within Biete Medhane Alem, a rock-hewn church in Lalibela.

During a recent public meeting organized by the Ethiopian National Defense Force and the Amhara region in Lalibela town, attendees reported that Ethiopian army troops fired artillery and machine cannons from the vicinity of the churches, resulting in ground vibrations.

How do explosive weapons damage buildings and structures?

Explosive weapons, as explained in a report by the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining, a leading expert organization on explosive materials, 2017 can harm buildings and structures in two main ways: through primary and secondary effects.

Primary effects include blast overpressure, fragmentation, and heat, while secondary effects encompass debris or secondary fragmentation, firebrands, ground shock, and cratering. These secondary effects happen based on the surroundings where the explosive device explodes.

The degree of harm is contingent on several factors, such as the specific explosive weapon utilized, the distance from the detonation site to the structure, and the materials used in the building’s construction.

Blast overpressure, fragmentation, and heat

Blast overpressure, the most damaging primary effect, occurs when energy is rapidly released in an explosion.

A powerful blast wave, also known as a shockwave, swiftly travels through the air at supersonic speeds, exerting significant force on nearby structures. This force can damage buildings, applying pressure to roofs and walls, leading to shattered windows, warped walls, and structural collapse.

Fragments from the explosive device, especially those originating from the metal casing of the warhead, can travel tens to a few hundred meters away from the explosion site.

Fragmentation, another main impact, includes scattering high-speed projectiles from the casing objects. These fragments, varying from small pieces to larger chunks, have the potential to cause damage to buildings and structures. While not as dangerous to buildings as blast waves, these fragments can still pose a threat.

The heat released during detonation is confined to the nearby space, and its duration is brief. This heat results from the intense chemical reaction in the explosive detonation.

It has the potential to harm building materials, decreasing their flexibility. While the main thermal risk is usually less severe than blast and fragmentation dangers, it can still weaken building materials and structures, causing them to lose flexibility and contribute to gradual collapse. Moreover, heat can trigger flammable materials, resulting in additional fires.

Debris or secondary fragmentation and firebrands

Secondary effects occur when the explosion interacts with the surrounding environment.

Debris, including fragments of building materials, vegetation, or other dislodged objects, can inflict additional damage as they collide with structures.

While secondary fragments may not travel as far or as quickly as primary fragments, they can still penetrate walls, break windows, and cause structural harm.

Firebrands, which are composed of burning materials or fragments, have the potential to ignite nearby combustible materials.

This situation may occur when an explosive device detonates in close proximity to flammable objects such as wood, grass, vehicles, and fuel.

Embers risk buildings and structures by igniting nearby combustible materials and contributing to increased damage.

Ground shock and cratering

Ground shock occurs when the energy from the shockwave is transferred to the ground, shaking the foundations of buildings, compromising their structural integrity, and raising the risk of collapse.

Cratering, another secondary effect, occurs when a depression forms in the ground at the detonation site, potentially damaging nearby structures and destabilizing foundations.

While the recent claim of damage to the Lalibela rock-hewn churches remains unverified,  the ongoing conflict in the vicinity of these susceptible churches and the deployment of explosive weapons can result in additional damage, encompassing blast overpressure, fragmentation, heat, debris (secondary fragmentation), firebrands, ground shock, and cratering.

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed claimed that Ethiopia’s economy was the second largest in East Africa five years ago and is now bigger than those of its neighboring countries combined.

Abiy assumed power in April 2018 following widespread protests, pledging economic and political reforms to foster prosperity and democratization. The Ethiopian government, led by the Prosperity Party, contends that the reforms have significantly improved the country.

The PM has repeatedly asserted that Ethiopia is on the right economic trajectory and the economy is growing. Recently, he claimed that Ethiopia’s GDP doubled within the last five years.

In a recent speech delivered to summer students at the Artificial Intelligence Institute, PM Abiy told the students that Ethiopia is growing. The comparison of Ethiopia’s economy with its neighbors was used to support his argument that Ethiopia and its economy are growing.

As PM Abiy claimed, Ethiopia’s economy, measured by nominal GDP, was the second largest in East Africa after that of Kenya five years ago. In 2018, Ethiopia’s nominal GDP, according to the National Bank of Ethiopia, was 84.4 billion USD, and Kenya’s nominal GDP, according to the Central Bank of Kenya, was 91.2 billion USD.

Five years later, in 2022, Ethiopia’s nominal GDP was 126.8 billion USD, and Kenya’s nominal GDP stood at 119.5 billion USD. Thus, as measured by nominal GDP, Ethiopia’s economy is the largest in East Africa.

However, the claim by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed that Ethiopia’s economy is even bigger than that of its neighbors combined is false.

Ethiopia is bordered by six internationally recognized countries: Somalia, Kenya, South Sudan, Sudan, Eritrea, and Djibouti, and one de facto sovereign state, Somaliland.

According to the World Bank, Sudan’s nominal GDP in 2022 was 51.7 billion USD. Accordingly, if we combine the nominal GDPs of Kenya and Sudan, they are much bigger than those of Ethiopia (171.2 billion versus 126.8 billion).

The latest data for the nominal GDPs of Sudan, South Sudan, Eritrea, Djibouti, Somaliland, and Somalia are not available online through their respective central banks or statistics agencies. Therefore, we must rely on data from other international financial institutions, such as the IMF, for our purposes.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) reported the nominal Gross Domestic Product (GDP) figures for several countries in the Horn of Africa for the year 2022. These figures are as follows: Ethiopia’s GDP stood at USD 120.37 billion, Kenya’s at USD 113.7 billion, Sudan’s at USD 33.75 billion, Somalia’s at USD 10.42 billion, South Sudan’s at USD 8.54 billion, and Djibouti’s at USD 3.66 billion. It is important to note that the IMF’s data does not include information on Eritrea and Somaliland for the specified year.

Therefore, the combined nominal GDPs of Ethiopia’s five neighboring countries (excluding Eritrea and Somaliland) in 2022 was 170 billion USD, surpassing Ethiopia’s 120.37 billion USD.

In summary, despite Ethiopia having the largest nominal GDP in East Africa, Prime Minister Abiy’s claim that Ethiopia’s economy is larger than its neighbors combined is found to be false based on economic data from 2022.

President Sahlewerk Zewde stayed behind and seeking asylum in the US

A claim circulated on social media platforms, particularly Twitter and TikTok, that Ethiopian President Sahle-Work Zewde had left Ethiopia for the US and was seeking asylum there. The claim stated that she traveled to the US for a visit and stayed behind to seek asylum due to the “situation in Ethiopia and the harshness of the government.”

In recent times, several individuals including journalists and an official from Ethiopia have defected to Europe and the United States, seeking political asylum. These defections have occurred against a backdrop of political instability and conflict in the country.

Last month, Asemahegn Asres, a former Head of the Communication Bureau of the Amhara Region and vice chairman of the Parliament’s Standing Committee for Trade & Tourism Affairs, defected and sought political asylum abroad.

Two weeks ago, reports indicated that Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation journalist Mekdes Tilahun, who had recently traveled to the United States with President Sahle-Work Zewde, had disappeared from the airport.

In October, during a joint parliamentary session, President Sahle-Work Zewde expressed her disappointment at the lack of unity and reconciliation in Ethiopia, which has led to recurring conflicts and violence.

It was in this context the claim that President Sahlewerk Zewde traveled to the US and stayed behind seeking asylum in the country emerged.

However, recent news reports indicate that President Zewde is currently in Ethiopia, and the claim that she has defected is false. On November 14, she received a delegation from the United Nations Peacebuilding Commission in Addis Ababa. This news was confirmed by the UN Peacebuilding Commission itself.

Journalist Asfaw Meshesha died

A claim on YouTube stated that journalist Asfaw Meshesha, who works for the Ethiopian Broadcasting Service (EBS), had died after being hospitalized. The YouTube video went viral, garnering thousands of views.

Asfaw Meshesha is a journalist known for being a co-host of the popular television show, Ehudn be EBS, on EBS TV.

Media reports stated that the journalist recently suffered a stroke and was admitted to the hospital in Addis Ababa. However, he traveled to the United States for better medical treatment.

The claim was made against this backdrop. The YouTube video used short clips and images that show mourners crying.

However, the claim that Asfaw Meshesha has died is false. The clips and images used in the YouTube video do not support the claim. Most of the clips and images were taken from scenes of the EBS show that Asfaw Meshesha co-hosts. Additionally, HaqCheck contacted EBS for information, and the media company confirmed that the claim was false.

Ethiopia’s Economy is bigger than neighbors combined

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed claimed that Ethiopia’s economy was the second largest in East Africa five years ago and is now bigger than those of its neighboring countries combined.

Abiy assumed power in April 2018 following widespread protests, pledging economic and political reforms to foster prosperity and democratization. The Ethiopian government, led by the Prosperity Party, contends that the reforms have significantly improved the country.

The PM has repeatedly asserted that Ethiopia is on the right economic trajectory, and the economy is growing. Recently, he claimed that Ethiopia’s GDP doubled within the last five years.

In a recent speech delivered to summer students at the HQs of INSA, PM Abiy told the students that Ethiopia is growing. The comparison of Ethiopia’s economy with its neighbors was used to support his argument that Ethiopia and its economy are growing.

As PM Abiy claimed, Ethiopia’s economy, measured by nominal GDP, was the second largest in East Africa after that of Kenya five years ago. In 2018, Ethiopia’s nominal GDP was 84.4 billion USD, and Kenya’s nominal GDP was 91.2 billion USD.

In 2022, Ethiopia’s nominal GDP was 126.8 billion USD, and Kenya’s nominal GDP stood at 119.5 billion USD. Thus, Ethiopia’s economy, measured by nominal GDP, is the largest in East Africa.

However, the claim by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed that Ethiopia’s economy is even bigger than that of its neighbors combined is false.

Ethiopia is bordered by six internationally recognized countries: Somalia, Kenya, South Sudan, Sudan, Eritrea, and Djibouti, and one de facto sovereign state: Somaliland.

According to the World Bank, Sudan’s nominal GDP in 2022 was 51.7 billion USD. Accordingly, if we combine the nominal GDPs of Kenya and Sudan, it is much bigger than that of Ethiopia (171.2 billion versus 126.8 billion).

According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the nominal GDPs of Ethiopia, Kenya, Sudan, Somalia, South Sudan, and Djibouti in 2022 respectively were 120.37 billion, 113.7 billion, 33.75 billion, 10.42 billion, 8.54 billion, and 3.66 billion USD. The IMF doesn’t have data on Eritrea and Somaliland.

Therefore, the combined nominal GDPs of Ethiopia’s five neighboring countries (excluding Eritrea and Somaliland) in 2022 was 170 billion USD, surpassing Ethiopia’s 120.37 billion USD.

In summary, despite Ethiopia having the largest nominal GDP in East Africa, Prime Minister Abiy’s claim that Ethiopia’s economy is larger than its neighbors combined is found to be false based on economic data from 2022.

Recommendations

HaqCheck urges government officials to take accountability and abstain from disseminating inaccurate or misleading statements.

HaqCheck encourages social media users to employ critical thinking skills, emphasizing the importance of verifying claims from unfamiliar or unverified sources before dissemination.

Content creators on social media are advised to act responsibly and abstain from spreading information that is false or misleading.

We call upon public institutions and relevant organizations to provide consistent and timely updates to the public and the media.

Recognizing the crucial role of information access in combating misinformation, the government is urged to safeguard the public and media’s right to access information, contributing to the reduction of the widespread dissemination of false information.

Disinformation in Ethiopia in October 2023 was driven by the conflict between Fano militias and Ethiopian government forces. Disinformation was spread through a variety of tactics, including altered and old videos, recycled claims, and false images.

The armed conflict involving Fano militias and Ethiopian government forces significantly contributed to the dissemination of disinformation last month.

Below are some of the disinformation themes tracked across the Ethiopian social media landscape during October.

Violence against civilians by ENDF soldiers

Social media in Ethiopia has been circulating false claims about violence by the Ethiopian government against civilians in the Amhara region.

A user on An X (formerly known as Twitter) shared a video claiming that it showed Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF) soldiers recently beating up civilians in the Amhara region.

HaqCheck investigated the claim and found that the video was old and had been posted on Twitter on May 13, 2021, with a description that it showed Ethiopian army soldiers beating up and terrorizing Tigrayan civilians during the armed conflict between the Ethiopian government and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF).

Afar militants joined Fano in opposition to the Ethiopian government

False information was being circulated on the Ethiopian social media landscape claiming that Afar ethnic militants were teaming up with Fano militants in opposition to the Ethiopian government.

One example of this disinformation campaign was a Facebook post that shared an image claiming that Afar militants were fighting the Ethiopian military supporting Fano militants.

However, the post used an old image from May 2021 to support their claim that the Afar and Fano militias were fighting together. The original description of the image said that it showed armed conflict between Afar and Somali militants.

Government looted and smuggled artifacts

Another theme of disinformation in October revolved around a claim that the Ethiopian government looted and smuggled precious artifacts.

A Telegram channel with over 334,000 members shared two images on October 4, 2023, claiming that the Ethiopian government had stolen artifacts, replicas of the Tablets of Stone, ancient gold coins, and crowns of kings from the Amhara and Tigray regions and smuggled them to the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

However, the images were old and had been previously published on websites. One image, showing gold bars, was published on a website called PicLoc and is for sale. The second image, showing household items, was published on a Turkish website and is used to describe a house-to-house transportation service company.

The Ethiopian government bombed residential areas

One of the themes of disinformation in October was that the Ethiopian government was indiscriminately bombing the Amhara region, including civilian and densely populated residential areas.

For example, a TikTok video shared a video of burning buildings and claimed it showed the city of Gondar being bombed by the Ethiopian government.

However, the video was previously published on social media in August 2023 by Way To Go Heliservices, a company in New Zealand that provides helicopter services. The video shows a helicopter burning weeds.

Recommendations

HaqCheck advises social media users to exercise critical thinking when evaluating information encountered online and to verify claims from unknown or unverified sources before sharing them.

Social media content creators should be responsible and avoid disseminating false or misleading information.

We urge public institutions and other relevant entities to provide regular and timely updates.

Access to information is essential to reduce the widespread circulation of disinformation. The government should ensure the public and media’s right to access information.