The Senegalese government has taken the drastic step of shutting down the internet in response to violent protests that erupted following the indefinite postponement of the presidential election by President Macky Sall.
The decision to shut down the internet came after widespread demonstrations broke out in reaction to the postponement of the election, which was originally slated for February 25, 2024.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Moussa Bocar Thiam, the Minister of Communication, Telecommunications, and Digital Affairs, announced the internet shutdown, citing the need to curb the spread of “hateful and subversive messages” on social networks, which were perceived as posing a threat to public order.
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has expressed concern over the internet shutdown in Senegal and has called on the government to restore internet access. Additionally, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has urged Senegal to promptly set a new date for the presidential election.
It remains to be seen how the situation will unfold as the government grapples with the fallout from the election postponement and the internet shutdown.