Bekele Gerba, an Ethiopian opposition figure from Oromia region, recently sought political asylum in the United States. A Facebook post published by an account using Bekele’s name claimed that he subsequently held a meeting on American soil with former Ethiopian defence minister Lemma Megersa in September 2023. However, this is false: Bekele denied meeting with Lemma in the US, adding the Facebook page behind the post was not his. Furthermore, an old image was used out of context with the claim.

A Facebook post published on September 21, 2023 in Afaan Oromoo reads: “I have met with honourable Dr. Lemma Megersa in America earlier today, and conducted a fruitful discussion, after a long period of time.”

The post has been shared more than 180 times and directs users to another Facebook page for further information.

The account behind the post uses the name and profile photo of Bekele, who is an opposition figure from Oromia, home to the largest ethnic group in Ethiopia.

The post also contains a photo that includes Bekele and Lemma along with other senior Oromo opposition political leaders.

In August 2023, Bekele told AFP that he had resigned (archived here) from his position as vice president of the Oromo Federalist Congress (OFC), a major opposition party in the Oromia region, and had sought asylum in the US.

“The political landscape isn't conducive for the peaceful struggle we aspire to at OFC,” Bekele said.

Lemma, who served as president of the Oromia region and is a...

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