Segenal shuts down internet access once again

In a bid to combat the spread of hateful messages on social media, the Senegalese government has made an announcement that internet access will be restricted starting from Monday. The decision was conveyed by Moussa Bocar Thiam, the country's minister for communications, following the charging of Ousmane Sonko, an opposition leader, with insurrection, criminal conspiracy, and other offenses.

This is not the first time that Senegal has taken such measures in 2023. Earlier, social media usage in the country was restricted following the arrest of opposition leader Ousmane Sonko, who was subsequently sentenced to two years in imprisonment. A tweet from PASTEF (Patriotes Africains du Sénégal Pour le Travail, l’éthique et la Fraternité) had called on all Senegalese citizens to protest the verdict, leading to the temporary suspension of mobile data internet during specific time slots. Telephone operators were compelled to comply with the authorities' instructions.

The recent internet restrictions in Senegal have come as a surprise since the country has been considered one of the more stable democracies in the region. This marks the second instance in three years where Senegal has cut off its internet connection, with the first occurrence being in 2021 when social media apps were disabled after a protester's death during a clash with the police.

?The citizens of Senegal are not welcoming this second internet restriction in 2023. In a letter to Technext earlier this year, a Senegalese individual described the hardships they faced during the internet lockdown, highlighting the struggles with communication channels and information sharing. VPNs were used to bypass the restrictions, as the traditional print and TV media were perceived as corrupt, with some signals even blocked by the regulatory authority.

?While internet censorship is aimed at safeguarding intellectual property, managing cybercrime, and preventing the spread of false news, it also has its drawbacks. A report by Impakter revealed that internet outages can cost a country's economy millions of dollars due to the disruption of online transactions and banking systems. Senegal has already lost $16.7 million, affecting approximately 8.01 million internet users.

In addition to the economic impact, internet restrictions raise concerns about violating rights and threatening democracy. They can also suppress peaceful protests, undermining the country's reputation as Africa's paragon of peace and stability.

In conclusion, the internet restrictions in Senegal pose complex challenges, and while they may address certain issues, they also bring significant adverse effects on the economy and democratic principles. Striking a balance between maintaining order and upholding individual freedoms is critical in navigating this complex issue.

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