L
LequteMan
Guest
A satirical story that says Eritrean men have been ordered to marry at least two wives, which has been shared across Africa, has upset Eritrean officials.
The hoax was first published online on a Kenyan news site called Crazy Monday, saying some activists released a document purported to be from the Eritrean government. The document allegedly ordered men in the country to marry at least one wife or be jailed.
The news attracted massive interest in Africa with some men commenting on Twitter that they are ready to travel to Eritrea to find a new wife.
"Even a madman in [the Eritrean capital] Asmara would know that this story was not true," an Eritrean official said according to the BBC.
Eritrea's Information Minister Yemane Gebremeskel tweeted that "the media frenzy to parrot this ludicrous, fabricated and trite story... is appalling".
He said "the story illustrates [the] vileness of the dark forces of disinformation and proclivity of others to readily embrace the negative narrative on Eritrea".
The New York-based group Human Rights Watch says that there is a "dismal human rights situation" in Eritrea and the restrictions there, including on the freedom of expression, have led some to call it the North Korea of Africa.
The hoax was first published online on a Kenyan news site called Crazy Monday, saying some activists released a document purported to be from the Eritrean government. The document allegedly ordered men in the country to marry at least one wife or be jailed.
The news attracted massive interest in Africa with some men commenting on Twitter that they are ready to travel to Eritrea to find a new wife.
"Even a madman in [the Eritrean capital] Asmara would know that this story was not true," an Eritrean official said according to the BBC.
Eritrea's Information Minister Yemane Gebremeskel tweeted that "the media frenzy to parrot this ludicrous, fabricated and trite story... is appalling".
He said "the story illustrates [the] vileness of the dark forces of disinformation and proclivity of others to readily embrace the negative narrative on Eritrea".
The New York-based group Human Rights Watch says that there is a "dismal human rights situation" in Eritrea and the restrictions there, including on the freedom of expression, have led some to call it the North Korea of Africa.
