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South African drama used to spread false news in Ethiopia
6 Jul
Summary
- A video falsely claiming government troops burned Oromo people to death surfaced in June.
- The footage originated from a South African TV drama series, not real events.
- Violence in Ethiopia's Oromia region resulted in at least 11 deaths and destroyed homes.
In June 2026, a video showing individuals allegedly being burned alive circulated widely on social media, falsely claiming government forces were responsible for atrocities against Oromo people in Ethiopia's Oromia region. However, investigative fact-checking revealed the footage to be from a South African TV drama series, not real events.
The original video, part of the show "Uzalo," depicted a character experiencing a nightmare. The clip was edited to remove scenes clarifying it was a fictional nightmare, thereby spreading misinformation.
This false narrative emerged as the south-eastern part of Ethiopia's Oromia region experienced a surge in violence. In early June 2026, armed groups attacked civilians in the Arsi zone, resulting in at least 11 deaths, widespread destruction of homes, and the displacement of thousands. The Ethiopian Prime Minister's office blamed the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA), a claim the OLA denied.
