This archive report was first published on 15 July 2020.
On Wednesday, July 8, the Ethiopian government restored partial internet access after a total shutdown since June 29, following deadly unrest in Addis Ababa and other parts of the country.
The unrest, which erupted in the capital and other cities and towns in Ethiopia's Oromia Regional State, resulted in the deaths of at least 239 people, according to reports.
The incident, which involved the killing of popular Oromo singer Hachalu Hundessa on June 29, triggered a total internet shutdown, which the government said helped to control the situation and curb unwanted destruction by violent protestors.
However, the shutdown had a significant impact on the country, with only foreign diplomatic missions, government institutions, and continental and regional organizations having access to the internet.
According to the Ethiopian Police Commission, the public has returned to its normal day-to-day activities in all the unrest-hit parts of the country after government security forces fully controlled the situation and brought back law and order.
As of July 8, the government had restored WIFI and broadband internet access, and normalcy had returned to almost all the unrest-hit parts of the country, according to police.
According to the Oromia Regional State Police Commission, more than 3,500 suspects have been arrested for alleged involvement in the killing of civilians, destruction, and vandalism of public and private properties across the region.
The Ethiopian government has vowed to bring individuals behind the death of the popular singer to justice, as well as groups believed to have orchestrated the deadly violence in the capital and other cities and towns in Oromia regional.
Among those detained are prominent Oromo politicians and activists, including Oromo media mogul and activist Jawar Mohammed and opposition political party leader Bekele Gerba.
