Ethiopia’s Federal Police has announced plans to intensify its crackdown on individuals and groups accused of using social media platforms to incite unrest and destabilize the country. The move comes ahead of a packed calendar of international, continental, and national events Ethiopia is set to host from July 2025 through September 2026.
Federal Police Commissioner General Demelash Gebremichael, who presided over a high-level security planning session this week, said the government is stepping up efforts to detect and neutralize what it calls “anti-peace forces,” both domestically and abroad. According to an official statement released on July 23, these efforts are part of a wider strategy aimed at safeguarding the country during the upcoming events.
Authorities have pledged tighter surveillance and enforcement operations in Addis Ababa and surrounding areas, including intensified searches at entry and exit checkpoints. “It is essential to coordinate security operations effectively, starting from the reception of guests,” said Commissioner Demelash. He warned that the Federal Police will continue tracking and prosecuting those who “use social media to sow chaos and instability.”
The operation will involve several national security institutions, including the Ethiopian National Defense Force, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Republican Guard, the National Intelligence and Security Service, and the Addis Ababa Police.
Demelash also urged continuous coordination among all security agencies to prevent and respond to organized crimes. “Security institutions must work around the clock to neutralize threats and ensure national stability,” he said.
The Commissioner’s statement signals a heightened government focus on digital platforms, which have increasingly become spaces for political activism and dissent in Ethiopia. While officials argue the measures are necessary for maintaining order, critics warn the move could tighten restrictions on freedom of expression and stifle dissenting voices.
