Another African country is in the news for the wrong reasons, as Senegal has once again cut off mobile internet access, presumably for security-related reasons.
The sudden postponement of scheduled elections from February 25 to December has sparked protests against what some see as an undemocratic extension of President Macky Sall’s mandate. ing. The government blames the delay on electoral disputes that threaten the credibility of the vote.
As reported by Reuters, the situation led to clashes between demonstrators and police in a number of cities, including the capital Dakar, late last week, leaving three people dead and around 270 detained. The government subsequently refused permission for a silent march planned by activist groups for Tuesday and ordered mobile phone operators to suspend internet access. It blamed “destructive” online messages for causing anxiety. A silent march is currently scheduled for Saturday.
The United Nations Human Rights Office and Amnesty International accused authorities of ignoring fundamental rights to freedom of assembly and expression and using excessive force against protesters. There have also been complaints from the French Foreign Ministry and the US State Department, and calls for national political dialogue from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
This is not the first time the internet has been cut off in Senegal. In fact, according to ITWeb Africa, a US group called Media Defense and Stanford Law School’s Rule of Law Impact Lab has filed a lawsuit with the ECOWAS Court of Justice challenging the internet shutdown that occurred in Senegal between June and August last year. He said he woke him up. and aims to prevent future closures within the country.
Other African countries where governments have imposed internet blackouts or social media restrictions in recent years include Algeria, Ethiopia, Guinea, Sudan, Tanzania, Cuba, Chad, Uganda and Zimbabwe.
Of course, the issue extends beyond censorship allegations, with the global cost to the economy of government-mandated shutdowns estimated at billions of dollars.
