Ethiopia enters 3rd week of internet shutdown after deadly unrest
China Daily
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A man chants as members of the Oromo community march in a demonstration during a protest after the death of musician and revolutionary Hachalu Hundessa on July 8, 2020 in St Paul, Minnesota. The protesters called for Internet service to be restored in Ethiopia that was shut down on June 30. (Photo: Agencies)

Ethiopia entered its third week without internet service for almost everyone after days of deadly unrest, as the East African country's government said it's trying to prevent communication that could further inflame ethnic tensions.

The disruption of internet services has had a negative impact on Ethiopia's economy, which is still struggling with the effects of the novel coronavirus pandemic.

According to NetBlocks, an internet monitoring group, real-time metrics show that the country remains largely offline as of Wednesday, with only a rise in fixed-line and WiFi lines observed in recent days. NetBlocks also added that most users remain offline as cellular networks remain cut.

"The blackout comes amid protests in Addis Ababa after Oromo singer and activist Hachalu Hundessa was shot dead on June 29," NetBlocks said. Hundessa had been a leading voice in the anti-government protests that led to a change in the country's leadership in 2018.

The internet cut has hurt the dissemination of key information about the coronavirus pandemic as Ethiopia's capital, Addis Ababa, is the home of the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other arms of the African Union continental body.

"In terms of severity and duration the internet shutdown has surpassed previously documented incidents in Ethiopia, including the information blackout following last year's assassination and alleged coup attempt in the Amhara region," NetBlocks said

According to Ethiopian officials, at least 239 people were killed in the unrest after the singer's killing and nearly 5,000 people were arrested. Human rights groups have said the internet cut complicates efforts to track abuses.

Abiy Ahmed, Ethiopia's Prime Minister, set in motion sweeping political reforms after taking office, but the opening of political space saw some ethnic and other grievances flare up. However, Ahmed has warned that those who participate in the destruction of the nation cannot be considered guardians of the nation.

In addition to the internet disconnection, three TV stations in Ethiopia are under investigation for stoking ethnic rivalries and two have been taken off the air. Ahmed has vowed to restore law and order across the country, and in some places, like the capital, Addis Ababa, calm has returned.

Early this month David Kaye, the United Nations special rapporteur on freedom of opinion and expression, warned that shutting down the internet in Ethiopia is entirely counter-productive and counter to basic human rights standards.