Ethiopia’s internet penetration is still low — 15% according to the latest estimate from CIA Fact book. Of the nearly 16.5 million Ethiopian internet subscribers, about 27% are active Facebook users according to Internet Web Stats, a site that tracks worldwide internet penetration. That’s still enough to spread false stories and rumors with severe consequences.
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While the agreement between OLF and the Ethiopian government that was facilitated by Eritrea is not public, we can’t imagine Ethiopia agreed to open its doors to a hostile enemy which OLF was until recently. Some social media observers suggested the question caught Mr. Ibsa off-guard, and he gave an incoherent answer while some suspected he is trying to force concessions from the Ethiopian government.
Ethnic squabbles are common occurrences in Ethiopia but the latest clashes between Oromo and Somali seem to have the approval of the ruling party dominated by the Tigray ethnic minority. Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) has maintained its powerful place in EPRDF since the demise of the Derge regime despite persistent opposition.
According to Foreign Agents Registration Act and other public sources, Ethiopia has paid Washington lobbyists millions of dollars to influence the U.S. Government and Congress on its behalf. The impoverished nation in the world, the East African nation spent at least $11,082,742.05 since 1999.