This report presents MultiFact Check’s (MFC) monitoring of Ethiopia’s digital information environment between February 1 and February 28, 2026. During this period, online discussions were heavily shaped by regional geopolitical tensions, debates around media freedom, and emerging election-related disputes. These developments contributed to a highly polarized information environment in which competing narratives circulated widely across major social media platforms.

Several high-profile political and geopolitical events generated significant engagement online. These included debates surrounding the 39th African Union Summit in Addis Ababa, escalating tensions between Ethiopia and Eritrea, and controversy following a Reuters investigation alleging Ethiopian involvement with Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The revocation of media accreditations by the Ethiopian Media Authority (EMA) also triggered extensive debate about media freedom and regulatory authority.

Domestically, political discourse intensified around election-related developments, particularly the House of Federation and National Election Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) decision concerning disputed territories between the Amhara and Tigray regions. Legal challenges to this decision further amplified political discussion and speculation online.

In addition to these political developments, the monitoring identified recurring disinformation tactics, including recycled conflict footage, fabricated screenshots falsely attributed to international media outlets, and the increasing use of AI-generated images designed to resemble authentic news visuals.

Overall, the findings indicate that Ethiopia’s digital information environment remains highly contested and vulnerable to manipulation, particularly in the context of rising regional tensions and the approaching election cycle. The likelihood of coordinated narrative manipulation is expected to increase as political competition intensifies.

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