Ethiopia Revokes Accreditation of Reuters Journalists Following Controversial Investigative Report
Authorities in Ethiopia have revoked the media accreditation of three Reuters journalists based in the country and barred the international news agency from covering the ongoing 39th African Union (AU) Summit. The decision, confirmed by a Reuters spokesperson on Saturday, comes just days after the agency published a sensitive investigative report alleging that the Ethiopian government was secretly hosting a training camp for Sudanese paramilitary forces.
The Ethiopian Media Authority (EMA) informed the news agency that the work permits for its three correspondents stationed in Addis Ababa would not be renewed. Furthermore, the authority withdrew the press credentials that had already been issued to Reuters staff for the high-profile African Union summit taking place in the capital this weekend. While the EMA has not released an official public statement detailing the specific reasons for the expulsion, the timing strongly suggests a link to the agency’s recent reporting.
On February 10, Reuters published an exclusive investigation claiming that Ethiopia was training thousands of fighters for Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Citing security sources and satellite imagery, the report alleged that a covert training facility had been established in the Benishangul-Gumuz region, near the Sudanese border. The investigation further claimed that the United Arab Emirates had provided financial and logistical backing for the operation. These allegations strike a sensitive nerve in the region, as the civil war in Sudan has already displaced millions and destabilized the Horn of Africa.
The Ethiopian government had previously denied any involvement in the Sudanese conflict. Following the publication of the report, officials maintained their stance that Ethiopia has “no role and no knowledge” of such activities. However, the swift revocation of press credentials has been interpreted by media watchdogs as a retaliatory measure against the outlet for its critical coverage.
In response to the revocation, a Reuters spokesperson stated, “Reuters is reviewing the matter and will continue to cover Ethiopia in an independent, impartial, and reliable way in keeping with the Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.” The agency stands by its reporting, which relied on multiple diplomatic and security sources to corroborate the existence of the training camp.
The expulsion of the journalists and the ban from the AU Summit raise significant concerns regarding press freedom in Ethiopia. The summit, which gathers heads of state from across the continent to discuss peace and security, is a major diplomatic event. By barring a major international wire service from the proceedings, authorities have limited independent oversight of the discussions, particularly those regarding regional security crises like the one in Sudan. This development marks an escalation in the tension between the Ethiopian government and international media, following a period of relatively improved access compared to the height of the Tigray conflict.
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