Ethiopia restores internet services after over 2 weeks

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia

Broadband and Wi-Fi internet services were restored in Ethiopia on Wednesday, more than 15 days after they were suspended amid civil unrest sparked by an activist’s assassination.

The government is still taking a cautious approach, though, and is yet to reopen mobile internet and data services.

The internet blackout was imposed after the killing of Oromo activist and singer Hachalu Hundessa in the capital Addis Ababa on June 29, which led to days of unrest across Ethiopia.

At least 145 civilians and 11 police officers were killed in the spate of violence, along with widespread public and private property damage.

Thousands have been apprehended for the violence, including activist-turned-politician Jawar Mohammed and Eskinder Nega, a former journalist who now heads an opposition group.

Three men involved in Hundessa’s assassination have also been arrested.

The 36-year-old Oromo activist was a prominent figure in the years-long anti-government demonstrations before Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, who also hails from the Oromo ethnic group, came to power.

He became the voice of the Oromo people during the protests that led to the downfall of the previous government in 2018.