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Dakar, February 13 (EFE) – Senegalese authorities on Tuesday suspended mobile internet services amid opposition calls for mass protests in the country against the postponement of presidential elections.
President Macky Sall announced earlier this month that the presidential election, originally scheduled for late February, would be postponed by nearly 10 months, sparking violent protests across the United States this month.
“Mobile internet services will be suspended this Tuesday, February 13,” Moussa Bokhar Thiam, the country’s communications minister, said in a statement.
He said the decision was taken “following the spread of several destructive hate messages on social networks that have already incited violent demonstrations, resulting in deaths and significant property damage in the country. ” he said.
The minister stressed that mobile phone operators must “comply” with the government’s directives.
This is the second internet shutdown this month, following a two-day internet shutdown last week amid heightened political tensions.
The decision came after opposition parties called for “massive” protests across the country on Tuesday against President Sall’s “unexpected” decision that plunged the country into a political crisis.
Hundreds of people took part despite protest organizers calling off the demonstration in compliance with the government’s ban on public gatherings.
There were also isolated incidents of tires being burned while police fired tear gas to disperse groups of youths.
Some opposition candidates also took advantage of the day to campaign in the streets of the capital, ignoring the postponement of the election.
On February 3, President Sall announced that the vote would be postponed indefinitely from February 25 to December 15.
Two days later, the country’s parliament passed a bill supporting the president’s decision to postpone elections.
President Sall’s decision to step down from office on April 2, at the end of his two constitutional terms, has sparked violent protests across the United States, including clashes with police.
At least three protesters have been killed in the demonstrations so far. EFE
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