After the suspension of the presidential election in Senegal, the government has taken the decision to block internet access in the country.
President Macky Sall postponed the election amidst rumors of his hidden agenda to retain power and serve the interests of France.
As a result of the election delay, violent protests and social unrest were widespread.
In response to this, the Minister of Communication, Telecommunications and Digital Affairs, Moussa Bocar Thiam, announced the internet shutdown, citing the need to control the spread of incendiary and malicious content on social media.
“The internet of data mobile phones is temporarily suspended from Sunday, February 4, 2024, at 10 p.m.,” Mr Thiam said, claiming the shutdown was “due to the dissemination of several hateful and subversive messages relayed on social networks in a context of threats of disturbances to public order”. He said.
Meanwhile, the Committee to Protect Journalists, CPJ, has expressed concern over the internet shutdown in Senegal amid the postponement of the election, calling on the government to restore internet access.
Also, the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, on Sunday urged the authorities in Senegal to urgently choose a new date for the country’s presidential election
