By Naol Getachew
Claim: An X account named Amhara Youth Association with significant followers shared a video alleging that Addis Ababa residents are taking part in the so-called “Zemecha Wubante” (roughly meaning Wubante’s Campaign/March).
Verdict: False, as the video is outdated and unrelated to the current conflict in Amhara.
Image 1: A screenshot taken from the appears to show youth and federal police marching together.
On March 22, 2024, an X account named Amhara Youth Association, with over 36,000 followers, tweeted a video claiming that residents of Addis Ababa were engaged in the so-called “Zemecha Wubante” (meaning Wubante’s Campaign). The tweet has garnered over 25,000 views and more than 110 retweets.
The video was accompanied by an Amharic caption translated as: “Wubante’s Campaign has begun in Addis Ababa! The youth of Pisa [one of the most vibrant areas in the capital] are awakening at last. Protests are erupting. We have confirmed a bomb attack on a bus transporting an official.”
Image 2: A screenshot of the tweet from the Amhara Youth Association
However, MultiFactCheck (MFC) investigated the claim utilizing the Fake news debunker by InVID & WeVerify and discovered that the video in the tweet is an old clip from a 2018 clash incident involving Oromo youths (Qeerroo) and Addis Ababa youths during welcoming event for leaders of the exiled Oromo Liberation Front (OLF). This occurrence transpired five years ago.
Image 2: Another screenshot showing the image was from 2018
The video was circulated on various social media platforms, including Facebook (Link ) and Youtube (Link ) on September 14, 2018. Thus, relating that incident to the current “Zemecha Wubante” in Addis Ababa is not based on fact. Consequently, MFC rated this claims as False.
Context
The Amhara region is in a state of emergency due to the fighting that erupted last July between Fano militiamen and the Ethiopian securitz forces.
Amid this conflict, Wubante Abate, a prominent Fano leader was reportedly killed in action.
Thus, there are unconfirmed information circulating on social media that the Fanos are on a revenge campaign inspired by their fallen leader.
