By Kirubel Tesfaye
Claim: On October 13, 2025, a viral image claimed to show Gedu Andargachew, Ethiopia’s former Minister of Foreign Affairs, working as a parking attendant. He appeared in a neon vest, holding a radio. The image spread quickly due to his political prominence. It was shared across multiple platforms (see the image here, here, and here ).
Verdict: The viral image claiming Gedu Andargachew is working as a parking attendant is false. The image was created using artificial intelligence and shows no connection to the former Ethiopian Foreign Minister performing any parking-related duties.
Investigation and Findings
MFC used Sightengine’s AI-content detection system to analyze the image. The result showed a 99% likelihood that the image was AI-generated. It was not taken from a real scene.
The image was created using a diffusion-based model, which builds visuals from random noise. These models learn textures, lighting, and object shapes from large datasets. Detection tools identify AI images by spotting smooth surfaces, uniform lighting, and unnatural distortions.
Screenshot of a post published on October 13, 2025
Model breakdown revealed the image most closely matched Imagen (55%), followed by Ideogram (26%). Other models like DALL-E, Firefly, and Stable Diffusion scored below 5%. The system found 0% face manipulation, meaning no real face was altered. The entire image was generated from scratch.
Screenshot of AI detection tool result
Further inspection revealed clear signs of fabrication. The taxi’s license plate read “SEY…” but was distorted and uneven. The roof sign said “TAXT” instead of “TAXI.” The Ford emblem was blurred and misshapen. These flaws are typical of AI-generated images.
Conclusion
The image in question is not a photograph. It is a digital creation. The distorted text, warped geometry, and artificial lighting expose its synthetic nature. The taxi, the vest, and the setting are all products of algorithmic imagination. No evidence supports the claim that Gedu Andargachew is working as a parking attendant. The image is a fabrication—crafted to mislead, not to inform.
In a time when truth is often bent by technology, it is vital to pause and verify. The digital age demands discernment. What appears real may be nothing more than pixels arranged by code. This case is a reminder: misinformation wears many masks, and AI is its newest disguise.
Context
Gedu Andargachew is a senior Ethiopian politician. He served as President of the Amhara Region from 2013 to 2019. He later became Ethiopia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs from April 2019 to November 2020, and then National Security Advisor to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.
Gedu was once a key figure in Ethiopia’s political transition. He helped usher in the post-TPLF era and supported Abiy Ahmed’s rise. However, tensions grew and by 2024, Gedu became a vocal critic of the Prosperity Party. He accused the government of authoritarianism and corruption.
Reports in early 2024 revealed that Gedu was placed under house arrest. Intelligence agents monitored his residence in Addis Ababa. Visitors were restricted, and his family faced pressure. The government suspected links between Gedu and Fano militias, though no evidence was publicly confirmed.
After leaving Ethiopia, Gedu continued to speak out. He used social media to criticize Abiy Ahmed’s leadership and policies. The viral image surfaced amid this political fallout. It appears to be part of a broader attempt to discredit him during a time of heightened tension.
