UNESCO and Ethiopian Police University foster cooperation between security forces and media ahead of 2026 Ethiopian elections

Building on a first training held in Addis Ababa in 2022, UNESCO's and the Ethiopian Police University's engagement sought to deepen the capacities of federal and regional police officials to uphold freedom of expression and ensure the safety of journalists, while maintaining public order.

The training provided security forces with theoretical and practical tools to carry out their mission while respecting international human rights standards, in line with the UN Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity (2012). Through interactive discussions and practical exercises, sessions covered the international and national legal framework on freedom of expression, strategies to enhance professional relations between law enforcement and media, awareness-raising on attacks against journalists and gendered online violence, and the specific challenges of elections, including social media and information integrity.

The joint sessions with journalists on the final two days focused on practical exercises -a mock press conference, a simulated crime scene media briefing, and a public demonstration scenario - designed to develop concrete take-away solutions for police-media collaboration.

Participants were also equipped to replicate the training across the country and to develop a module on freedom of expression and safety of journalists to integrate into the curriculum of national police academies.

During the training, the National Electoral Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) provided an overview of the context of the upcoming elections, outlining the expected roles and responsibilities of security forces during both the pre-election, election and post-election periods. This included highlighting the importance of ensuring the protection of journalists.

The training was opened with welcoming remarks from Dr. Rita Bissoonauth, Director of the UNESCO Office in Ethiopia and the President of the Ethiopian Police University H.E Dr. Deputy Commissioner General, Dr. Tamirat Mulugeta, and with keynote addresses of the Deputy Board Chairperson of NEBE, H.E. Tesfaye Niway, H.E. Amb. Churchill Ewumbue-Monono, Ambassador of Cameroon to Ethiopia & Djibouti and permanent Representative to the AU and UNECA, and Hon. Commissioner Topsy-Sonoo, Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression and Access to Information in Africa.