A Facebook page that has more than 423 thousand followers has posted an image on Nov 9, captioned, “ Oromia Liberation Army was seen tonight on the roads at the gate leading to Addis.” By the time this article was published, the post had more than 1000 reactions and was shared more than 400 times. However, HaqCheck has analyzed the post and rendered it as False.
Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) was a military wing of the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF), from which it is claimed to split later. On May 1, 2021, the FDRE Council of Ministers designated both the OLA and TPLF as terrorist groups. OLA is addressed by the Government as OLF Shane.
In August, the OLF Shane announced that it has formed an alliance with the TPLF.
Even though the two rebel groups are claiming that they are a few miles away from the capital and will end the war with victory soon, the Federal Government dismissed such claims as mere propaganda.
In consideration of the current situation wherein it is difficult to control the stability in the country with the regular law enforcement procedure, the Ethiopian Federal Government has declared a nationwide state of emergency.
Quoted in a news report by AFP an OLF Shane leader said, “its fighters were near the capital and are preparing to strike an attack, promising an end to the conflict soon.”
It was in such a framework of the current situation that the Facebook post appeared.
A similar collage of images was first posted on a Twitter account on Aug 23, 2021 (about 45 days ago before the current situation) claiming that Negele Borana town, 587km from the capital, was partially captured by OLA.
Even though there are several claims that the OLA is a few away from the capital, Addis Ababa, the image doesn’t show OLA army members on the roads leading to the gate of Addis Ababa at the time claimed by the post. Therefore, HaqCheck has analyzed the Facebook post and rendered it False.
