Ethiopia Revokes Reuters Journalists’ Accreditation After Investigative Report
✍️ By Teju/ February 16, 2026/ 7:52pm
In a significant move that has drawn global attention, the Ethiopian Media Authority has declined to renew the accreditation of three Reuters journalists based in Addis Ababa, effectively revoking their credentials to report inside the country. Alongside this, the agency also withdrew Reuters’ accreditation to cover the 39th African Union summit being held in Addis Ababa.
The decision comes just days after Reuters published an investigative report alleging that Ethiopia is secretly hosting a training facility used to prepare fighters linked to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a powerful paramilitary group involved in the ongoing conflict in neighbouring Sudan. The report, based on interviews with diplomatic, security, and government sources as well as satellite imagery, suggested the facility may be providing logistical support to the RSF — a claim that Ethiopian authorities have not publicly addressed.
Although the Ethiopian Media Authority has not formally cited the report as the reason for its actions, several media observers and international news outlets indicate that the timing strongly suggests the investigative piece influenced the decision. Reuters responded to the accreditation revocation with a statement affirming its commitment to impartial, independent journalism in line with its editorial standards.
Ethiopia’s relations with the press have been complex in recent years. While its government once promoted media freedoms following reforms by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, independent journalists and foreign reporters have increasingly faced challenges, including detentions, revocations of accreditation, and other restrictions, especially around reporting on sensitive topics like conflict, security, and government actions.
The revocation of credentials for Reuters journalists has sparked fresh debate about press freedom and government accountability in Ethiopia, with critics arguing the move represents a setback for transparency in a country already facing internal and regional tensions.
