President Macky Sall’s government has restricted mobile phone data in Dakar to prevent “threats and disruption to public order” as a result of protests against the postponement of elections.
Senegal joins a growing list of countries that are restricting internet access in response to public anxiety.
President Macky Sall’s government has restricted mobile phone data in Dakar to prevent “threats and disruption to public order” as a result of protests against the postponement of elections.
Cybersecurity and governance watchdog NetBlocks issued an update Tuesday night confirming that internet access remains restricted.
The paper said: “Traffic data shows authorities have restricted mobile data in the capital Dakar and deployed riot police to counter ongoing protests over the postponement of this month’s elections to the end of 2024. “As a result, mobile internet access remains restricted in Senegal for a second day,” it said.
Security experts expect protests to continue across Senegal, especially in Dakar, after parliament agreed on Monday to postpone presidential elections from February 25 to December 15.
The vote took place after security personnel forcibly removed several opposition members who tried to disrupt the voting process.
Police used tear gas to disperse the protests.
As the protests continue, one expert said, “Authorities may carry out further communications jamming to prevent protesters from organizing.”
After several candidates to replace Sall were blocked from running, several government officials appealed for the election to be postponed, citing allegations of corruption within the Constitutional Council.
