Regional shutdown
mobile, fixed
Amhara
On 3 August 2023, Ethiopian authorities ordered network operators servicing the Amhara region in the country's North East to suspend mobile Internet services, fixed line Internet, and access to social media and communications platforms, including WhatsApp, Facebook, and X (formerly Twitter). Although no explanation was given these orders came amid escalating conflict between federal military forces and members of the Amhara Fano fighters. It is the second time in 2023 that the people of Amhara region have specifically been subjected to Internet disruptions. The Amhara region is the second largest in Ethiopia, home to around 40 million people. [Update] As of 14 July 2024, mobile Internet services had reportedly been restored in 19 cities across Ethiopia’s Amhara region. However, residents report that connection speeds remain slow and inconsistent.
- Total Duration 348 days
Ethiopia
- Population
- 128,691,692
- UN Classification
-
- Least Developed Country
- Land Locked Developing Country
Freedom House rates Internet freedom as Not Free
Local impact
On 3 August 2023, Ethiopian authorities ordered network operators servicing the Amhara region in the country's North East to suspend mobile Internet services, fixed line Internet, and access to social media and communications platforms, including WhatsApp, Facebook, and X (formerly Twitter). Although no explanation was given these orders came amid escalating conflict between federal military forces and members of the Amhara Fano fighters. It is the second time in 2023 that the people of Amhara region have specifically been subjected to Internet disruptions. The Amhara region is the second largest in Ethiopia, home to around 40 million people. [Update] As of 14 July 2024, mobile Internet services had reportedly been restored in 19 cities across Ethiopia’s Amhara region. However, residents report that connection speeds remain slow and inconsistent.
Other supporting information
Cloudflare has shared monthly updates via its social media channels showing little-to-no traffic from the region since 3 August.
When clashes between local militiamen and federal military forces intensified on August 3, the government of #Ethiopia reportedly shut down #Internet services in the #Amhara region.
— Cloudflare Radar (@CloudflareRadar) September 8, 2023
Over five weeks later, connectivity remains largely unavailable. #KeepItOn pic.twitter.com/Tcl9BoCmjH
Outside of these measurements, it’s difficult to measure the effect of local/regional Internet shutdowns as most measurements are done at a country level. Learn more
Social media
Reminder that the Amhara region in Ethiopia has been under an internet shutdown for little over four months now. From what I can tell, not much news has come out of the region since then other than the pieces linked in the following tweets. https://t.co/DRrDPJsuIR — ሄርሞና 🍉 (@hermona613) December 12, 2023
Internet shutdown is actively marginalizing and peripheralizing #Amhara youth, as the stories below illustrate 👇https://t.co/sv4tHf7mBA pic.twitter.com/UYfu1giljo
— Amanuel Tesfaye (@ethio_style) November 28, 2023
Internet Shutdown in Amhara Region Disrupts Banks, Universities, and Humanitarian Organizations https://t.co/59TG5y1jJX via @zborkena
— Mebratie Nigussie (@MebratieNigussi) October 7, 2023
Not only internet shutdown, but phone networks have been cut off largely in Amhara Region. https://t.co/s2LcvcUQmf
— Atnaf Brhane 🇪🇹 (@AtnafB) October 5, 2023
Ethiopia shutdown internet, phone communications & electricity in the most parts of the Amhara region. 10's of millions of people are in darkness. Ethiopian govt must lift the shutdown.
— KidaneMariam (@asmamaw_tadege) September 30, 2023
Media coverage
Internet shutdown is actively marginalizing and peripheralizing #Amhara youth, as the stories below illustrate 👇https://t.co/sv4tHf7mBA pic.twitter.com/UYfu1giljo
— Amanuel Tesfaye (@ethio_style) November 28, 2023
Internet Shutdown in Amhara Region Disrupts Banks, Universities, and Humanitarian Organizations https://t.co/59TG5y1jJX via @zborkena
— Mebratie Nigussie (@MebratieNigussi) October 7, 2023
Not only internet shutdown, but phone networks have been cut off largely in Amhara Region. https://t.co/s2LcvcUQmf
— Atnaf Brhane 🇪🇹 (@AtnafB) October 5, 2023
Ethiopia shutdown internet, phone communications & electricity in the most parts of the Amhara region. 10's of millions of people are in darkness. Ethiopian govt must lift the shutdown.
— KidaneMariam (@asmamaw_tadege) September 30, 2023