The post was published on April 21, 2023, with a headline in Amharic that translates to "Abiy’s speech in Nekemte to Oromo people". Nekemte is a major city in the Oromia region’s east Wollega zone.
The post then presented statements attributed to the prime minister during the alleged address:
"Just join us and do not worry. Others nag us, but we really work for the Oromo people. We are still working for the people. The Prosperity party is an Oromo government. If power slips out of our hands this time, we will not get it back in a hundred years," it reads.
"The people of northern Ethiopia are resisting us. If we are not able to organise and bring them to their knees, not only we who are in power, but the entire Oromo people will be in danger," the post continues.
The mention of the "people of northern Ethiopia" appears to refer to protests that erupted in the northern Amhara region over the federal government’s decision to disband regional special forces. Calm returned to the region in mid-April.
The post has been shared more than 320 times.
It also...
In certain instances, it is evident that misinformation is created and disseminated on social media by exploiting sensitive issues and presenting unverified claims as factual events. Presented bel...