The government of Senegal has implemented daily curfew-like internet shutdowns from 1 p.m. to 2 a.m. across the country, in an attempt to suppress dissent following the conviction of opposition figure Ousmane Sonko. Sonko, a popular politician among the youth, was sentenced to two years in prison on charges related to “corrupting young people.” Protests have erupted since the verdict, leading to the arrest of over 500 individuals.
The government claims the internet restrictions aim to prevent the spread of “fake news,” but human rights organizations like Amnesty International and the Human Rights Foundation have condemned the shutdowns.
Monitoring organizations such as NetBlocks and Cloudflare have confirmed intentional limitations on mobile internet access during specific times in Senegal. The shutdowns have affected the largest mobile network in the country, Free/Tigo, as well as Sudatel Senegal.
However, fixed line provider Sonatel has not been targeted, possibly due to its focus on business and government customers. Prior to the daily shutdowns, Senegal had already been blocking several social media and messaging platforms, and the reasons behind the shutdowns remain unclear.
Citizens have been using virtual private networks (VPNs) to bypass the social media blocks, but wider internet shutdowns have been expanding. The Human Rights Foundation highlighted the case of Elhaji Cissé, a victim of violence, who was sharing information about security forces’ actions online before being killed. Cissé had even reached out to Elon Musk on Twitter, asking for Starlink service to provide internet access to the people of Senegal.
The situation in Senegal is unique, as the government is shutting down connectivity during regular working hours, and it raises concerns about human rights and freedom of expression.
Free/Tigo announced that mobile internet access would be restored after authorities indicated the lifting of restrictions, although the duration of the restored access remains uncertain.
Curfew-style internet shutdowns, as observed in Senegal, are relatively uncommon in African countries, where total network blackouts or social media throttling are more prevalent during periods of unrest. The government’s actions have drawn international attention and criticism, emphasizing the need to respect human rights and enable open communication channels for the people of Senegal.
