Author: Otuosoro Ranjo

Several social media platforms including Facebook, Telegram, Tiktok, and YouTube have been restored five months after the Ethiopian government barred access to them following conflicts between the government and the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. The ban was enacted on February 9, 2023. 

The Orthodox Church had faced a split due to the Oromia archbishops' desire for a new synod, leading to bans and calls for protests. Mediation by the Church and the government resolved protest issues but the ban was in place.

Amnesty International’s Deputy Regional Director for East and Southern Africa, Flavia Mwangovya, said during the second month, 

“This blockade on selected social media platforms clearly violates citizens’ rights to freedom of expression and access to information. It also flies in the face of Ethiopia’s own constitution,  and national laws, as well as regional and international treaties to which Ethiopia is a party to. The restriction further stains the country’s already dismal record on media freedom.”

Only individuals with Virtual Private Network (VPN) had access to social media platforms during the ban – something that cost them additional data. 

Ethio Telecom president claims the blockade decision was not taken by the state-owned company, costing Ethiopia $42 million (£32 million) in business impact.

Internet connectivity is still unavailable in some parts of Tigray's northern region, where a bloody two-year battle was put to an end last November.

Following the lifting of the ban, neither the government nor the official network provider, Ethio Telecom, have released a statement.