Senegal is currently grappling with escalated tensions as the government, in response to widespread protests against the postponement of the presidential election by President Macky Sall, announced a temporary suspension of internet access on Monday. Communication Minister Moussa Bocar Thiam justified this measure, citing the need to curb the dissemination of “hateful and subversive messages” on social networks, amid concerns of potential disruptions to public order.
This move follows the decision to take a private television channel off the air, accusing it of inciting violence in its coverage of the protests. Amnesty International’s Senegal chapter has condemned the government’s actions, emphasizing the importance of respecting freedom of the press and citizens’ right to information.
Lawmakers are set to debate a bill on Monday proposing to reschedule the presidential vote for August 25, allowing President Sall to remain in power until his successor is installed. The original election date was February 25.
As tensions escalate, the hashtag #FreeSenegal trends on social media, with more demonstrations planned outside the parliament on Monday. Former Prime Minister and opposition candidate Aminata Touré, who was arrested during the Sunday protest, has confirmed her release and called for collective mobilization to defend democracy, rejecting the postponement of the presidential election.
Opposition candidate Daouda Ndiaye reported being attacked by the police and hospitalized. Despite this, he reiterated the call for the election to be held on February 25.
The internet suspension, Senegal’s third in the last nine months, adds to the political uncertainty that has been escalating since the arrest of popular opposition leader Ousmane Sonko in June 2023. Since then, at least two prominent opposition candidates have been arrested, and others have faced attacks by the police.
Residents in Dakar reported resorting to WiFi for internet access during the shutdown. The Senegalese government had previously arrested individuals for selling Starlink terminals without the required licenses or authorization in August.
The economic impact of such internet shutdowns is substantial, with estimates suggesting Senegal lost $300,000 per hour during the June shutdown. Across sub-Saharan Africa, government-induced shutdowns in 2023 resulted in a total loss of $1.74 billion, according to a report by Top1vpn. Internet shutdowns have become a frequent method employed by African governments since the 2011 Arab Spring, with at least ten countries experiencing shutdowns in the region last year.
