Hachalu Hundessa: The Internet was cut in Ethiopia after the death of the singer-activist

Hachalu, one of the leading figures in the Oromo ethnic group, was shot in the capital city of Addis Ababa on Monday night, according to state publisher EBC, who spoke of Addis Ababa police commissioner Getu Argaw.

On Tuesday, protesters in the capital and in the Oromia region circled on social media, and the US Embassy in Ethiopia issued a security warning saying that the embassy was “tracking gunfire and protest reports across Addis Ababa”.

The warning, stating that the protests also protested the death of the song in front of the US embassy, ​​described the situation as “temporary now”.

Blanket closure

Netblocks, an internet monitoring NGO, your internet reported “In most of Ethiopia, it was cut off after 9 am local time on Tuesday.”
Ethiopian government accused of being charged previously closure of internet and telecommunications services during elections and unrest. Ethio Telecom, the country’s only telecom provider, is a state-owned monopoly.

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed expressed his condolences to Hachalu’s family and friends on Tuesday and called on his citizens to protect peace, however, that an investigation was launched.

According to the EBC report, Addis Ababa police commissioner said that some suspects in the fire incident were arrested.

The leader of Ethiopia has pledged to protect freedom of expression. But continues to kill on the Internet
Hachalu fought for visibility for the Oromo ethnic group, and his songs brought together the youth of Ethiopia during years of protests. political reforms In 2018 in the country, I said Sarah Jackson, Deputy Regional Director of Amnesty International’s East Africa, Horn and Great Lakes.

Jackson said the officials should conduct a “fast, comprehensive, impartial, independent and effective” investigation into the killing of the singer and restore the internet connection immediately, in order to mourn the death of the musician’s fans.

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“Authorities should promptly remove the blanket internet shutdown across the country and allow people to access information and freely mourn the musician,” Jackson said. Said.

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About the Author: Abbott Hopkins

Analyst. Amateur problem solver. Wannabe internet expert. Coffee geek. Tv guru. Award-winning communicator. Food nerd.

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