Ethiopian men read newspapers and drink coffee at a cafe during a declared state of emergency and internet shurdown in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. [Source: AP]

Ethiopia’s parliament has passed a controversial law aimed at curbing hate speech and disinformation on mainstream and social media.

Critics said the law could be used to suppress dissent ahead of a general election later this year.

It will be the first poll in Ethiopia since Nobel Peace Prize winner and Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed took office in 2018.

He introduced sweeping reforms and promised free and fair elections.

But the authorities said the law was necessary to deal with a surge in violence recently witnessed across the country.