Addis Ababa: The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has condemned the Ethiopian government’s actions against French journalist Augustine Passilly, describing them as a blatant act of retaliation and calling on authorities to restore her press accreditation.
In a statement, CPJ urged Ethiopian authorities to reverse the measures taken against Passilly and allow her to continue working freely in the country.
Passilly, a correspondent for the French newspaper La Croix, has been based in Ethiopia since September 2023. According to CPJ, she was expelled from the country following a reporting trip to the Tigray region, where she covered growing tensions, allegations of forced military recruitment, and claims that residents were being compelled to make contributions to support military activities.
CPJ said Passilly visited Shire town in Tigray and published her report on June 8. Upon returning to Addis Ababa on June 6, she was reportedly summoned by Ethiopian authorities and informed that her press accreditation would be temporarily suspended on security grounds.
The case comes amid growing concerns over press freedom in Ethiopia.
Recent reports by local and international media watchdogs have pointed to a deteriorating media environment for both local and foreign journalists operating in the country. In recent months, the licenses of local media outlets Addis Standard and Wazema Radio were revoked by Ethiopian authorities.
International media organizations have also faced restrictions. Reuters journalists had their accreditations revoked, while reporters working for other international outlets, including the BBC, have reportedly encountered difficulties renewing their press credentials.
Ethiopian authorities have not publicly responded to CPJ’s latest statement.
