- Ethiopian Govt Restores Internet After 10 Days
The Ethiopian government has restored the nation’s internet connection 10 days after it was shut down due to the military coup that led to the assassination of six top government officials.
The secretary director of Ethio Telecom, Cherer Aklilu, told the Associated Press on Tuesday that the country’s internet access has been restored in Addis Ababa, while other locations are expected to be done step by step.
The Ethiopian government had shut down the internet on June 22, 2019 amid a report of a failed coup to unseat the regional government in Bahir Dar, Amhara state.
Businesses in the country were complaining that the cut has affected the nation’s economy, they estimated that Ethiopia was losing at least $4.5 million daily, about $45 million for the entire 10 days businesses were without an internet connection.
“The government should stop cutting the internet whenever some security or exam issues pop up,” said Abinet Haregu, a businessman. “This is a tactic that was tried and failed in the past.”
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed promised last year not to shut down the internet for whatsoever reason, he said: “A free flow of information is essential for engaged and responsible citizenry. Only a free market of ideas will lead to the truth.”
The Prime Minister, however, disregarded his own policy amid chaos and unrest.