Senegalese Govt shuts down internet as violent protests trail postponement of presidential poll

Senegalese authorities have shut down internet connection in the country shortly after President Macky Sall postponed the presidential election indefinitely.

The shutdown followed widespread protests 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.

“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”.

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.