a crackdown on journalists in Tigray

Six months into the war in the Tigray region of Ethiopia, where thousands have died amid reports of widespread human rights abuses, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has sought to quell critical coverage of the conflict by targeting the independent news media, according to human rights organizations.

Press freedoms have deteriorated in the wake of Abiy’s military operation in the northern region, which began on Nov. 4. Within hours, the internet there was shut down, and journalists were blocked from entering. The authorities have since detained at least 10 local journalists without charges, holding them for periods from a few days to two months over their coverage of the conflict.

Quote: “It’s a sharply disappointing state of affairs given the hope and optimism of early 2018 when Abiy became prime minister,” said Muthoki Mumo, a representative for sub-Saharan Africa for the Committee to Protect Journalists.