• About Us
  • AKIP
  • Live TV
  • Our Programs
  • Latest News
    • Church News
    • Politics
    • World News
    • Security
  • Airtime
  • From GM’s Desk
  • Church of Nigeria
  • Contact
Facebook Twitter Instagram
  • AKIP
  • From GM’s Desk
  • Live TV
Facebook Twitter Instagram
Advent Cable Network Nigeria Advent Cable Network Nigeria
  • Home
  • About Us
  • AKIP
  • Latest News
    • Church News
    • Politics
    • Security
    • World News
    • Sports
  • Live TV
  • Our Programs
  • Airtime
  • Church of Nigeria
  • Contact
Donate
Advent Cable Network Nigeria Advent Cable Network Nigeria
Home»General News»Social Media Restricted in Ethiopia After Church Rift Turns Violent
General News

Social Media Restricted in Ethiopia After Church Rift Turns Violent

ACNNTVBy ACNNTVFebruary 10, 2023No Comments2 Mins Read
Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email WhatsApp
Share
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email WhatsApp

Internet watchdog, NetBlocks, on Friday reported that access to social media platforms has been restricted in Ethiopia following violent protests sparked by a rift within the country’s Orthodox Church.

The protests broke out in the Oromiya region when three church officials declared themselves archbishops in January and set up their own governing body, making some demonstrators to oppose the move and others supporting it.

The church said in a statement on Thursday that at least 30 people have been killed in protests since Feb. 4.

The statement called for demonstrations on Sunday, accusing the Ethiopian government of “meddling” in the church’s internal affairs after Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed asked his ministers to stay out of the dispute.

The Ethiopian state has traditionally maintained close ties to the Orthodox Church, to which more than 40 per cent of the population adheres.

Ethiopian Government spokesperson Legesse Tulu did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Friday.

The government said in a statement on Thursday that the upcoming protest was banned to prevent violence.

NetBlocks said in a statement that access to Facebook, Messenger, TikTok and Telegram was severely restricted, citing network data it had collected.

Ethiopian authorities have previously shut down or restricted access to the internet during periods of political unrest, including in response to protests in 2020 that followed the killing of a popular singer from Oromiya.

Internet and phone communications were also shut down in the northern Tigray region for most of a two-year war that ended in a ceasefire in November.

The Orthodox Church vowed in its statement that Sunday’s protest would go ahead. It said the government’s ban constituted “a declaration to destroy the church once and for all”.

Oromiya, home to Ethiopia’s largest ethnic group, has experienced violent conflict for many years, part of wider unrest in Ethiopia, a multi-ethnic country where power has long been contested between federal and regional authorities.

(Reuters/NAN)

Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email WhatsApp

Related Posts

CSO Opposes NLC Planned Strike

September 28, 2023

Independence Day: FG Declares 2nd Oct. Public Holiday

September 28, 2023

Indefinite Strike: We’ve Exhausted All Tools – TUC Insists on Shutting Down Economy

September 28, 2023
Add A Comment

Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

Recent Posts

Bishop Odedeji Eulogised as Bishop Okupevi Bestowed on him Episcopal Award of Excellence

September 23, 2023

Primate Ndukuba List Some Conditions On The Lifting Of Moratorium On The Creation Of Dioceses In The Church Of Nigeria

September 13, 2023

Don’t Conform with the World, Stay Focused – Mrs Angela Ndukuba Urges Young Ladies

August 19, 2023

President Tinubu’s Ministers: Wike Gets FCT, Umahi, Works, Badaru, Defence, Keyamo, Aviation {Full List}

August 16, 2023

Missing Texas Pastor Phillip Loveday Found Dead

August 10, 2023
Advent Cable Network Nigeria

ACNNTV is the Televangelism arm of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) with focus to keep the orthodox faith alive through development of inspiring and life changing broadcast products.

Facebook Twitter Instagram
Quick Links
  • About Us
  • AKIP
  • Board of Management
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
Quick Links
  • Our Programs
  • Program Rates
  • From GM’s Desk
  • Live TV

Subscribe to Updates

Get the latest creative news from FooBar about art, design and business.

© 2023 Anglican Cable Network Nigeria,Abuja. Designed by Dominion Web.

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.