Business & Technology

AI Propaganda Fuels Rising Tensions Between Ethiopia and Eritrea

Fake images and videos spread online are increasing anger and fear of conflict

Newstimehub

Newstimehub

19 Mar, 2026

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As tensions grow between Ethiopia and Eritrea, a wave of AI-generated images and videos is spreading across social media, making the situation even more dangerous

The conflict is partly driven by Ethiopia’s push for access to the sea, with the Eritrean port of Assab often mentioned as a possible target. At the same time, reports of troop movements near the border have increased fears of a new confrontation

Online, AI-generated content is being used to show fake military victories, insult leaders, and make war look quick and easy. These posts are spreading fast and getting thousands of reactions, with many people believing they are real

Experts warn that this kind of content can seriously affect how people think and feel. During the Tigray War, online propaganda already played a role in increasing tensions, and now AI is making the problem even worse

Many users in Ethiopia have limited digital literacy, making it harder to tell what is real and what is fake. As a result, these images can create real fear, anger, and hostility between communities

Specialists say tech companies should act faster to remove harmful content, while governments and schools need to improve media literacy so people can better understand and question what they see online

Overall, the spread of AI propaganda is not just misinformation — it is actively increasing the risk of conflict by shaping public opinion in a dangerous way

Source: TRT Africa