Following the killing of Hachalu, a notable Ethiopian figure in the Oromo ethnic group, on Monday evening at the Gelan Condominiums area of the capital Addis Ababa, according to state broadcaster EBC’s report citing the Addis Ababa police commissioner, Getu Argaw, Netblocks, a world wide web-monitoring NGO, claimed that internet access “has been slashed across most of Ethiopia from soon after 9am neighborhood time on Tuesday.”
“The authorities should straight away raise the countrywide blanket net shutdown and permit folks to access details and to freely mourn the musician,” Sarah Jackson, Amnesty International’s Deputy Regional Director for East Africa, the Horn and the Fantastic Lakes was quoted as saying.
Here Is What You Need To Know
- Although Ethiopia ‘s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed had tweeted condolences to Hachalu’s spouse and children and buddies on Tuesday, including that an investigation is underway but urged his citizens to continue to keep the peace, Wayne Ma reports that Ethiopia ’s governing administration has formerly been accused of shutting down internet and telecommunications services during elections and durations of unrest.
- Ethio Telecom, the country’s only telecoms provider, is a govt-owned monopoly.
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- The Addis Ababa law enforcement commissioner stated that some suspects caught taking pictures have been arrested.
- Hachalu fought for visibility of the Oromo ethnic group, and his tracks brought Ethiopia’s youth together during years of protests that led to political reforms in the place in 2018, explained Sarah Jackson, Amnesty International’s Deputy Regional Director for East Africa, the Horn and the Fantastic Lakes, CNN reports.
- Jackson claimed authorities ought to carry out a “prompt, comprehensive, impartial, unbiased and helpful” probe into the singer’s killing and restore internet link right away to allow for the musician’s lovers mourn his loss of life.
Charles Rapulu Udoh
Charles Rapulu Udoh is a Lagos-based lawyer who has advised startups across Africa on issues such as startup funding (Venture Capital, Debt financing, private equity, angel investing etc), taxation, strategies, etc. He also has special focus on the protection of business or brands’ intellectual property rights ( such as trademark, patent or design) across Africa and other foreign jurisdictions.
He is well versed on issues of ESG (sustainability), media and entertainment law, corporate finance and governance.
He is also an award-winning writer.