Ethiopian PM purportedly says 'no one can form gov't for 10 years' in leaked audio

CAIRO - 1 June 2021: An audio of Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed surfaced on social media purporting that he tells his part he “would rather die than hand over power” to other politicians and activists, although Ahmed’s office said on Tuesday that the audio is “fake.”

The audio, in the Amharic language, is subtitled in English on social media. To the applause of the listeners, Ahmed purportedly says that if the "so-called" politicians and activists take over--- “no one will be able to form a government for 10 years.” 

“The Office of the Prime Minister wishes to affirm that supposed leaked audio of Prime Minister @AbiyAhmedAli during Prosperity Party meeting of last week is a FAKE audio compilation which has been put together by drawing on different unrelated remarks made by the PM,” Ahmed’s office said on Twitter. 

“By editing it into one compilation, the fake audio is being made to be leaked. In this era of disinformation and as the elections draw nearer, we urge citizens to be vigilant about such types of disinformation campaigns aimed at creating discord,” it added.

In the audio, Ahmed is purported to say that postponing the election last year and holding them this year is “favorable” to the party. A task force has been established for that purpose and political operatives will make sure no irregularities occur during the election, and hence bloodshed is expected, according to the audio.

He purportedly adds that it is a responsibility to win the election and make competitors lose hope.