Internet and voice services have been restored in several areas of the Oromo region in Ethiopia, which has been without connection for about three months, Ecofin reported. A blockade of telecom services started on 07 January in the Kellem Wellega, West Oromia, West Wellega and Horo Gudru Wellega zones, because of unrest in the area. The blackout lasted 83 days altogether.
The blackout in the Oromo region ended a day after an appeal to the Ethiopian government by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCR) on 29 March. The UN office called on Ethiopia to facilitate access to coronavirus information via the internet in the Oromo region concerning hygiene advice, World Health Organization updates and government provision, to help control the spread.
On private television channel Fana Broadcasting Corporate, Shimelis Abdisa, vice-president of the Oromia region, said that the restoration of access to telecom services follows the improvement of peace in western Oromia.
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