- The shutdown followed widespread violent protests and social unrest which trailed the postponement
The authorities in Senegal have blocked access to internet connection in the West Africa nation after the indefinite suspension of the presidential election.
President Macky Sall had on Saturday postponed the election amid speculation of his surreptitious plan to hold on to power and continue doing the bidding of France.
The shutdown followed widespread violent protests and social unrest which trailed the postponement of the election, earlier scheduled for February 25, 2024.
The internet shutdown was announced on Sunday in a statement by Moussa Bocar Thiam, the Minister of Communication, Telecommunications and Digital Affairs, a day after the election was postponed.
Thiam claim the decision was aimed at checking the spread of inciting and hateful posts 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
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