Eritrea officials call ‘Malawians’ mad

Jan 28, 2016 Top News 226
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Eritrea meme

Eritrea says it is appalled with false claims making rounds on the social media that government in the Horn of Africa has ordered men to marry at least two wives.

Jacob Zuma Eritrea meme
Zuma’s meme

The Eritrean government officials have labeled as madmen those who believed the hoax that was widely shared in Malawi.

“Even a madman in [the Eritrean capital] Asmara would know that this story was not true,” an Eritrean official told the BBC, bursting the bubble of many Malawians who were set to fly to the Horn of Africa to try their luck.

The story that has left Eritrean officials raging with anger said that to make up for the shortage of men in the country, following the civil war with Ethiopia from 1998-2000, every man must marry at least two women or face imprisonment.

First published by a satirical site in Kenya, the satire turned viral across different countries in Africa and was shared widely on the social media among people in Malawi with some believing in the hoax.

Eritrea’s Information Minister Yemane Gebremeskel tweeted that he was appalled “vileness of the dark forces of disinformation and proclivity of others to readily embrace the negative narrative on Eritrea”.

The social media was awash with memes of famous people including some Head of States such as South Africa’s Jacob Zuma and Kenya’s veep William Ruto depicted as ‘heading’ to Eritrea to try their luck.

This is the second hoax to have originated from Kenya that had gone viral. Early this year, another story was published saying Tanzania’s President John Magufuli had banned miniskirts, a claim that was denied by the neighboring state.

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226 Comments

  2. Take it easy mate no Eritrea has called Malwians mad. Actually because of the best Malwiyan writer Beaton Galafa we like Malwiyans. We do not even call kenyans mad! The way teh story generated and followed mad indeed

  3. Hahhaha funny people, First you spread false story from fool source, then you call yourselves mad and now you’re crying why?

  6. They are talking about inuyo a Malawi24 …NOT Malawians…uchitsiru wanu waonekera pamenepa….kukonda kulemba zinthu musanafufuze ……too much incompetence

  9. I Have Read The Article It Started In Kenya And The Lest Of Africa Followed Not That Malawi Started Zotiyamba Dala Ayi Ngat Ndife Opandanzeru Kumalawi Kuno Za Chamba Zimenezo

  11. Its the kenyans that started it, why do u have to taunt Malawians at every turn? there nothing about an Eritrean official lamenting Malawians’ involvement in this.

  16. this fake Journalist has edited a some BBC news just to make Malawian men look like fools… u r d big fool.. If u don’t hav anything to do, w@ don’t shit the hell up

  17. this fake Journalist has edited a some BBC news just to make Malawian men look like fools… u r d big fool.. If u don’t hav anything to do, w@ don’t shit the hell up

  20. MAD PPO LEAVES NO NATION.BOTH WRITERS R MAD ON FAILING TO POINT OUT WHO IS REAL MAD.WHOLE NATION CANT B CRAZY UNLESS THE COMPLAINT IS FROM IDIOTS.

  24. Azanu anali ndi crazy monday jst like fools day inu mwazitengera hard kumanamiza dziko nchifukwa chake mukutinenetsa kukhala misala malawi chosecho inu mukufuna kukwatirana amuna kapena akazi okhaokha koma kulimbikira kunena za maukwati achirengedwe malawi crazy indeed!

  30. World
    Africa
    Eritrea ‘appalled’ by hoax forced polygamy story
    28 January 2016
    From the section Africa
    Screen grab from online newspaperImage copyrightStandard
    Image caption
    The story was published in a satirical column called Crazy Monday
    A satirical story that Eritrean men have been ordered to marry at least two wives, which has been shared across Africa, has upset Eritrean officials.
    “Even a madman in [the Eritrean capital] Asmara would know that this story was not true,” an Eritrean official told the BBC.
    The hoax was first published online on a Kenyan news site called Crazy Monday.
    Some men have commented on Twitter that they are ready to travel to Eritrea to find a new wife.
    Crazy Monday, which is published by the Standard newspaper, is well known for its focus on scandalous stories and gossip as part of an attempt to attract a younger readership, says Mathias Muindi from the BBC’s media monitoring service.
    But this has not stopped it being reported in many countries from Nigeria to South Africa, with some suggesting that it was true.
    The story said that to make up for the shortage of men in the country, following the civil war with Ethiopia from 1998-2000, every man must marry at least two women or face imprisonment.
    It has been trending on Twitter in Nigeria, and other countries, for several days with people sharing links to the Eritrea’s visa application documents.
    ‘Dark Forces’
    Eritrea’s Information Minister Yemane Gebremeskel tweeted that “the media frenzy to parrot this ludicrous, fabricated and trite story… is appalling”.
    One news website, Sahara Reporters, has retracted the story acknowledging that it was false.
    In another tweet Mr Yemane 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.

  34. Sometimes u better watch out the words ur using,this Eritrea issue has been gone viral in all sorts of medium world wide,not only in Malawi,so how come the call Malawians “Mad?Don’t play with people’s mind,do u know Mad is an insult word?Can strains international relationship?Which official ar u talking about?U as journalist ur suppose to ask why they chose Malawi?Don’t forget the 5W + H keep journalism Ethics alive,computer journalism get u half and get u soft.Give us some news not opinion.Is Malawi24 a sitire page nw?

    1. We #Eritrean have respect for Malwiyans and African. We do not want a nation mad. The journalist without ethicS AND THSOE WHO commissioned them mad indeed!

  40. Malawi24.com be serious, the Eritrian gov didn’t single out Malawi & actually it was an online publication in Kenya called Crazy Monday that first published the story. The online publication is ran by the Standard newspaper. Musaanamizire a Eritria kuti atinena ‘mad Malawians’

  41. You lie to us and its you again telling that malawians are mad,its not us but you,because of your dirty work,please work up.

  42. Even in the News of Africa Iread that there is acompulsory polygamy to all men in Eritrea so what are they trying to say?Then if so Eritrea must also blame all African countries because they have learnt about this not only Malawi!!

  43. Malawian Media always jump to a story create their own ideas into it so that they can promote their institutions and make money. Stop it and b professionals @ your work by going deeper into the story or wait until some1 release it out, only if you are lazy to follow up a story.

  44. Komanso zinazi guys tamaifusani nduna yozafalitsa nkhani izicitapo kanthu taonani pomwe zaveka tero that means presedent ministers ndi anthu onse amisala pamene ine kuno ku joni i read this story from nigeria news kut akazi akumeneko amadandaula kuti sakupeza mabanja ndie amalawi zoti mupite mwazitenga kuti ndilo vutolo

  45. Komanso zinazi guys tamaifusani nduna yozafalitsa nkhani izicitapo kanthu taonani pomwe zaveka tero that means presedent ministers ndi anthu onse amisala pamene ine kuno ku joni i read this story from nigeria news kut akazi akumeneko amadandaula kuti sakupeza mabanja ndie amalawi zoti mupite mwazitenga kuti ndilo vutolo

  50. Nonse amathanyula nkhani yomveka bwino ndi imeneyi plz take time b4 it iz too late kumakatenga atatu atatu kumeneko.osati kumabvutika ndi anzanu ofanana chilengedwe Mwamva iweee???

  57. You stupid people of Eritrea, why pointing fingers at Malawians only? I believe that the story was not a hoax, it must be real, you are only embarrased. Dont take Malawians for fools. Dare to continue talking nonsense about Malawians, you will be turned into monkeys

  77. I have seen the story on BBC Africa page sananene za malawi anena kuti the false story spread across africa from Nigeria to South Africa Admin uyu umunthu alibe ndiwamisala eyeyu. cheap journalism tamalemba nkhani zoona chotsani admin wopengayo.

  78. I have seen the story on BBC Africa page sananene za malawi anena kuti the false story spread across africa from Nigeria to South Africa Admin uyu umunthu alibe ndiwamisala eyeyu. cheap journalism tamalemba nkhani zoona chotsani admin wopengayo.

  79. I have seen the story on BBC Africa page sananene za malawi anena kuti the false story spread across africa from Nigeria to South Africa Admin uyu umunthu alibe ndiwamisala eyeyu. cheap journalism tamalemba nkhani zoona chotsani admin wopengayo.

  83. thus wy mr president z reluctant for ATI 2pass.atolankhani akumalawi they r not professional bravo APM don’t sign t adzasokoneza dziko while publishing false stories.

  87. Those Officials Are Very Stupid ,Mad and Dum because its not Only Malawians who are Trending About going to Eritria

  88. Those Officials Are Very Stupid ,Mad and Dum because its not Only Malawians who are Trending About going to Eritria

  89. Those Officials Are Very Stupid ,Mad and Dum because its not Only Malawians who are Trending About going to Eritria

  90. I know dat the fakes news started from someone and they person who started it in order to tarnish the image of a country is a mad and a fucking stinky asshole

  112. this is real shame y this malawi 24 is trying to confuse we malawian? this bad you malawi 24 be exact in broadicasting or posting ok

  113. this is real shame y this malawi 24 is trying to confuse we malawian? this bad you malawi 24 be exact in broadicasting or posting ok

  114. This hoax has been all over Africa. Why can’t you for once show your patriotism. Nowhere in the statement has a name of any country appeared. This the worst reporting in modern times. Proudly Malawian.

  115. This hoax has been all over Africa. Why can’t you for once show your patriotism. Nowhere in the statement has a name of any country appeared. This the worst reporting in modern times. Proudly Malawian.

  116. These are the results of the people who cheats in class. Nchifukwa chake aphunzitsi amakulembera kuti “CHEATING DOES NOT PAY”. Zomwe mwapanga apa inu a Malawi24 zawonetseratu kuti nkhani mwapanga copy & paste from other reputable papers. Be creative,lembani zomwe mwatsimikiza osati zokumva kapena kuwonera kwa anthu ena.

    Mwina Eritrea yanena kuti Malawi24 is mad not “Malawians”. Dziko lonse likakhale lopenga chifukwa chaka news paper kosadziwika bwino ngati ka Malawi24 ndithu? Ine nde sindiri mugulu lanulo.

  125. But did surely the Eritrean government called only Malawians mad? Why calling us mad as if the news was published in Malawi? Malawi24 muzitipatsa nkhani zeni zeni osati zongokopa kwa anthu ena ayi. Nkhaniyi ili ponse ponse not only in Malawi.

  126. But did surely the Eritrean government called only Malawians mad? Why calling us mad as if the news was published in Malawi? Malawi24 muzitipatsa nkhani zeni zeni osati zongokopa kwa anthu ena ayi. Nkhaniyi ili ponse ponse not only in Malawi.

  131. Ndiye gondolosi tinakagulayu titaye muti????? Anzanu tinachita kugula zokulitsa zija…. Lero mukuti tapenga….. Mmesa munanena ndinu nomwe agalinu????

  132. Ndiye gondolosi tinakagulayu titaye muti????? Anzanu tinachita kugula zokulitsa zija…. Lero mukuti tapenga….. Mmesa munanena ndinu nomwe agalinu????

  137. Ma journalist a Malawi 24 muzilemba zolongosoka osati zongoonela zomwe anzanu alemba. U have to investigate b4 copying anything on the internate. U r the mad ones not the whole Malawi koma inuyo munaonela nkhani yabozayo

  138. Ma journalist a Malawi 24 muzilemba zolongosoka osati zongoonela zomwe anzanu alemba. U have to investigate b4 copying anything on the internate. U r the mad ones not the whole Malawi koma inuyo munaonela nkhani yabozayo

  139. Mmmmmh they’ve not said Malawi in nanu bwanji kodi mabodza?.Iwenso journalist dovu linali chuchuchu thinking it was true.You must be the first and foremost madman Malawi24.

  140. Mmmmmh they’ve not said Malawi in nanu bwanji kodi mabodza?.Iwenso journalist dovu linali chuchuchu thinking it was true.You must be the first and foremost madman Malawi24.

  141. The one who posted this on here is madman. Where did you get that information that Eritrean officials call Malawians mad as if the story was published by Malawians. Why can’t just you write the truth? What you have written is what is on BBC but Malawi is not mentioned. This hoax was fist published online on a Kenyan news site called Crazy Monday which was also published by the Standard newspaper in Kenya. Ungapeleke umboni wapamene alemba kuti Malawi? Kuwaona kupusa kwambiri owerengawa kuti muzilemba nanunso zopeka?

  142. The one who posted this on here is madman. Where did you get that information that Eritrean officials call Malawians mad as if the story was published by Malawians. Why can’t just you write the truth? What you have written is what is on BBC but Malawi is not mentioned. This hoax was fist published online on a Kenyan news site called Crazy Monday which was also published by the Standard newspaper in Kenya. Ungapeleke umboni wapamene alemba kuti Malawi? Kuwaona kupusa kwambiri owerengawa kuti muzilemba nanunso zopeka?

  154. This issue is all over the place, RSA, Mozambique and so forth so why being particular with Malawi only. Those eritrian officials are the ones that are mad. By the way, there is no smoke without fire and am the source might have come from Eritrea itself

  155. whooaaa!!! stop it right there admin don’t take us all (malawians)down that road.if Eritrea has sported some madness in malawi it is basically in you journalist,u r the one who spread lies.we only listen

    6. inu amayeso ndani angapite kutali ngati kumeneko just to get two wives kokuno ku malawi anthu akukwatira akazi folo ,but malawian journalist two much boboboza eshh i don’t know y

    7. inu amayeso ndani angapite kutali ngati kumeneko just to get two wives kokuno ku malawi anthu akukwatira akazi folo ,but malawian journalist two much boboboza eshh i don’t know y

    8. inu amayeso ndani angapite kutali ngati kumeneko just to get two wives kokuno ku malawi anthu akukwatira akazi folo ,but malawian journalist two much boboboza eshh i don’t know y

  157. Its you who wants to call us mad just coz you simply copy wat others wrote. Wake up n learn to b creative n i wld also want to ask you to remove this stupid article you hv copied

    1. Fetch two for me, good looking coloureds. One shorter and the taller, make sure one of them is slimmer than the other. Transport will be refunded upon arrival. Note: bumms is a must.

    2. Ha ha ha. This man knows what he wants. Unfortunately , they said i have to join the eritrean army and fight for two years before i can get my two wives.

  165. This story was published earlier on BBC and didn’t say Malawi you guys choose to copy and paste the very same story with minor changes as if you got it. You such a shame to the profession.

  168. I rely on Bbc,they hav their intergrity very tight under their belt and they havent said anything about Malawi,i wonder where u got that from,may u plz improve this is 2016

    1. Ur comment tells that you are ignorant ! Because being in Africa u don’t know still the countries in your continent .Foolish !

    2. Ur comment tells that you are ignorant ! Because being in Africa u don’t know still the countries in your continent .Foolish !

    3. Even if you Google by its name you ne’er get it for you can not write correctly , you should write ERITREA instead of ellitria.

    4. Even if you Google by its name you ne’er get it for you can not write correctly , you should write ERITREA instead of ellitria.

  180. hahaha then u at Malawi24 are more mad coz u published the story now you are here publishing that its not true, why didnt you consult the officials before posting the story? Poor Journaalism in Malawi. Fotseck!!!!!!

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