The IPI global network expresses concern over Ethiopia鈥檚 deportation of French journalist Augustine Passily of Catholic daily La Croix. Her deportation followed her reporting trip to the an Ethiopian region that has experienced conflict and insecurity for several years. Ethiopia should reverse this decision and allow Passily and all other journalists to report independently in the country.
According to, Passily travelled to Tigray, between June 3 and 6 to report on concerns of renewed conflict and escalating political tensions. Following her reporting trip, she was called to a meeting at the Ethiopian Media Authority (EMA) where several senior officials, including the agency’s director-general and deputy director-general, raised concerns about her trip. Following the meeting, her media accreditation was suspended pending further investigation.
Passilly was later summoned by the Immigration and Citizenship Services (ICS), where she was informed that her accreditation had been revoked. Officials also cancelled her residence permit, despite it being valid until September 2026 leading to her departure from the country on June 11. The French embassy in Ethiopia it contacted the Media Authority but had not received a response.聽
鈥淭he deportation of journalist Passilly, together with the suspension and revocation of her accreditation and residence permit, raises serious concerns about the increasing use of administrative and regulatory measures to restrict independent journalism in Ethiopia. IPI calls on the authorities to reverse this decision and ensure that administrative measures are not abused to target journalistic work and public interest reporting, 鈥� said IPI Africa Programme Lead Nompilo Simanje.聽
IPI has documented multiple cases of press freedom threats and violations in recent months in Ethiopia. On June 8, journalist was arrested at her home in Addis Ababa by police who informed her that she was wanted for questioning. Baynesagn was detained for 14 days. No reason was given for her arrest nor was she聽 presented before the court as is required at law. She was eventually without charges on June 20.
In April 2026, Million Beyene, managing editor of the Addis Standard,was abducted in the newsroom by three men in plainclothes and held incommunicado for 13 days. The incident was caught on surveillance video. The men did not identify themselves but claimed they were taking Beyene for questioning.
In February, an AFP journalist was also from boarding a flight from Addis Ababa to Tigray on the basis that he did not have authorisation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Addis Standard鈥檚 operating license was also and the Media Authority also refused to renew the accreditation of three Reuters鈥� journalists in that same month. Earlier in January, the authorities also revoked the license of Wazema Radio.聽
IPI calls on the Ethiopian authorities to uphold national, regional and international commitments on freedom of expression and media freedom. Journalists, including foreign correspondents, must be able to carry out their professional duties without fear of arbitrary arrests, intimidation, deportation or other forms of retaliation.