Haile Gebrselassie, Ethiopian running legend accused Facebook of spreading fake news that claimed the lives of 78 people.
The violence erupted when Jawar Mohamed, an activist from Oromo ethnic group said that the authorities are risking his life by withdrawing his bodyguards. The government also confirms that the violence has roots in both ethnic and religious groups.
However, the legend runner was not specific of which post he was referring to. Speaking with the media in Addis Ababa, he said while he was referring to the death toll “fake news spread easily,
the main cause I believe was Facebook.”
The Olympic Champion said he thought the pictures were not of Ethiopians. “I know my people, they don’t do such awful things,” he added.
Prime minister Abiy Ahmed faulted the police by denying the claims against them of removing the bodyguards from the influential activist, Jawar Mohammed. Social media was also awash with graphic images purporting to be the outcome of the violence.
Kalkidan Yibeltal, Addis Ababa based journalist confirms that there is circulation of fake videos in the social media including the claims that one of the local officials was arming the young men. Despite the call of unity from the prime minister, ethnic tensions are still reported.
Gebrselassie tells Ethiopians and their leadership to be careful as genocide and civil war just starts from ethnic tensions. He talked of Rwanda genocide, Syria , Libya and Yemen as a good example of ethnic violence results.
The ethnic violence became less intense after the arrests of hundreds of people by the authorities in connection to October’s violence.
Despite the company’s policy of fighting the spread of fake news, Facebook is yet to respond to Haile Gebrselassie accusations.
