Report: Internet shutdowns cost Ethiopia $9 million in the past few months

A new report released today by the Brookings Institution has indicated that Internet shutdowns in Ethiopia has cost $9 million in the past few months.

 The report quantifies the economic cost of internet shutdowns around the world over the past year, including those that occurred in Ethiopia. Brookings Vice President, Darrell West, authored the study, in which he examines 81 short-term shutdowns that occurred in 19 countries between July 1, 2015 and June 30, 2016. He identifies the duration and scope of each shutdown, determines the population affected, and estimates its impact on Gross Domestic Product (GDP). West identified that internet shutdown that occurred in Ethiopia during that time and estimates that it cost a total of US$9 million, contributing to a total global cost of US$2.4 billion due to internet blackouts. A table showing the cost incurred by each of the 19 examined countries is included below. According to the study, it will only become more expensive for nations to shut down the internet as the digital economy expands. And without coordinated action by the international community, this damage is likely to accelerate in the future and further weaken global economic development. “As long as political authorities continue to disrupt internet activity,” writes West, “it will be difficult for impacted nations to reap the full benefits of the digital economy.” By Elias Meseret for DireTube News

Ethiopian protesters ramp up attacks on foreign companies

Oromia: Deadly stampede at Ethiopia protest

Dozens of people have been killed and injured in Ethiopia's Oromia region after security forces fired on a protest at a festival, say witnesses.

Some died in a panicked stampede after troops opened fire, the reports said.

Thousands had gathered for a religious festival in Bishoftu, 40km (25 miles) from the capital Addis Ababa.

Some reports said troops responded after anti-government protesters threw stones and bottles, while others said demonstrators were entirely peaceful.

Ethiopia's government said in a statement that "lives were lost", adding: "Those responsible will face justice".

An Oromo activist, Jawar Mohamed, is quoted as saying nearly 300 people were killed and many more injured. He said troops and a helicopter gunship had opened fire, driving people off a cliff and into a lake.

There has been no independent confirmation of this.

There have been months of deadly clashes in Ethiopia recently.

People in the Oromia and Amhara regions have complained about political and economic marginalisation.

The US has expressed concern about what it termed the excessive use of force against protesters.

• What is behind wave of protests?
• What do Oromo protests mean for Ethiopian unity?

Crowds at Sunday's Oromo festival, which AP news agency said had attracted two million people, chanted "We need freedom" and "We need justice", witnesses said.

Some participants crossed their wrists above their heads, a gesture that has become a symbol of Oromo protests.

The unrest was sparked last November by a plan to expand the capital into Oromia. This led to fears that farmers from the Oromo ethnic group, the largest in Ethiopia, would be displaced.

The plan was later dropped but protests continued, highlighting issues such as marginalisation and human rights.