Ethiopia: Internet shut down in Somali region from August 6 /update 2

Event

According to local media, authorities have blocked internet access in the Somali region (eastern Ethiopia), since Monday, August 6, in response to violent protests and subsequent clashes between local and federal security forces that killed at least 29 people in Jijiga on Saturday, August 4. The government has declined to comment on the shutdown and no information has been reported regarding how long the outage is expected to last, as of Wednesday, August 8. Tensions remain high in the region and further violence is possible in the coming days and weeks.

Context

Violent unrest due to ethnic and political tensions broke out in Jijiga and other areas of the Somali region of Ethiopia on August 3 and continued through August 5. The Ethiopian military deployed to Jigjiga on August 3, where it clashed with local paramilitary forces and arrested the president of Somali, Abdi "Illey" Mohamoud Omar. On Monday, August 6, Omar resigned his position and Ahmed Abdi Mohamed was named as the new president of the region. The federal security forces have since assumed responsibility for restoring order in the region from Liyu paramilitary forces, particularly in Jigjiga.

The federal government retains a monopoly on telecom services in the country; this is the first time that the internet has been shut down since a state of emergency was lifted in June.

Advice

Individuals present in the Somali region, are advised to monitor the situation, make alternative arrangements for communications during the internet outage, avoid any large gatherings and demonstrations due to the risk of violence, and adhere to any instructions issued by the local authorities or their home governments. Individuals in or traveling to Ethiopia in the coming days are advised to avoid the region as a precaution.