• A diaspora based media outlet released the audio days ago

• Abiy's office described it as doctored and warned the public against misinformation

• Elections slated for June will be the PM's first electoral test since coming into office three years ago

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has been in the eye of the storm after a diaspora media outlet, Kello Media, released an audio of comments he reportedly made during a recent ruling party meeting.

According to the audio, Abiy is heard saying: "I can tell you this and there’s no doubt or mystery about it - we have won the election.

"No-one will be able to form a government in the coming 10 years. I would rather die than hand over power to them," comments that were greeted with applause.

A May 31, 2021 statement reacting to the viral audio clip said: "The Office of the Prime Minister wishes to affirm that supposed leaked audio of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali during Prosperity Party meeting of last week is a FAKE audio compilation which has been put together by drawing on different unrelated remarks made by the PM.

"By editing it into one compilation, the fake audio is being made to be leaked. In this era of disinformation and as the elections draw nearer, we urge citizens to be vigilant about such types of disinformation campaigns aimed at creating discord," the statement added.

Ethiopia's 2020 polls were postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic and has since been scheduled to take place this month.

It is seen as a referendum on Abiy's legitimacy because it is his first electoral test since coming to power in 2018.

Opponents have repeatedly claimed political harrassment with a number of key opponents currently in jail. Rising insecurity is another area that many believe will threaten the conduct of the polls.

By editing it into one compilation, the fake audio is being made to be leaked. In this era of disinformation and as the elections draw nearer, we urge citizens to be vigilant about such types of disinformation campaigns aimed at creating discord. 2/2

— Office of the Prime Minister - Ethiopia (@PMEthiopia) May 31, 2021