The digital information environment in Ethiopia visibly became more complex and active in April 2026. The month offered a blend of social and political happenings. Together, they made the country’s online landscape a lively ground for narrative debate, identity-based movements, and organized disinformation. After all, the general election is scheduled for June 2026.

During the monitoring period of April 1-30, MFC recorded a total of 709 cases of disinformation. This represents an increase compared to 584 cases in March. Consequently, this rise indicates the sensitivity of the political climate. It also reveals the steady pace of synthetic media production.

One major reason for this growth was the album Ethiorika by artist Teddy Afro, released on 16 April 2026. The album’s political lyrics followed, which some saw as a critique of the administration. As a result, several arrests, security measures, and studio raids occurred. These events then generated significant social media engagement. In this context, manufactured and AI-generated images spread through various channels. Subsequently, they blurred the line between recorded truth and fabricated stories.

Tensions in the Tigray region also remained high. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed extended the mandate of the Tigray Interim Administration. However, the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) rejected this move as a violation of the Pretoria Cessation of Hostilities Agreement. Amid these political divisions, disinformation based on identity increased. This was especially true around religious events in the city of Axum. A conflict between Christian and Muslim communities led to administrative restrictions on Islamic public expressions. Consequently, this situation caused public concern and edited imagery across digital platforms.

Internationally, domestic social media discourse gained an international dimension. Violence against Ethiopian and other African migrants in South Africa increased sharply. Furthermore, two specific incidents generated online discussion and disinformation activity. First, authorities reportedly detained Million Beyene, the managing editor of Addis Standard. Second, a visible scar appeared on the face of intelligence chief Redwan Hussein. Additionally, activists’ commentary on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and Telegram frequently referenced gang-related violence in cities in Oromia. Specifically, they attributed this violence to the ‘120 gang group.’

Electoral-wise, the National Election Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) estimated the number of registered voters at more than 50.5 million citizens. Nevertheless, the main opposition figures said participation was low. Some parties even described the electoral environment as uneven. Electoral tensions compounded further in the last weeks of April. Specifically, the Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Party (EPRP) announced a call for peaceful demonstrations across the country on May 8.

From a disinformation methodology perspective, April 2026 confirmed the dominance of AI-generated imagery. This technology became the primary means for producing false narratives. To illustrate, AI content accounted for 300 of the 709 documented cases. The second most common category was disinformation based on ethnicity and religion. Therefore, this trend highlights how identity often fuels Ethiopia’s fractious information environment.

Facebook continued to be the top distribution platform, representing 42.8% of cases. In comparison, TikTok and X followed closely with 25.7% each. False content still spread most often by individual users. However, political activists and news channels still played a role in spreading false content. Ultimately, these trends point to a period of increased risk to Ethiopia’s information integrity. This is especially true in the lead-up to the June election.

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