In response to the uproar following President Macky Sall’s decision to postpone the presidential election, the government in Senegal announced a temporary cut to mobile internet access on Monday.
Communication Minister Moussa Bocar Thiam justified the measure, stating that it was necessary to curb the dissemination of “hateful and subversive messages circulating on social networks in a context of threats to public order.”
This move follows the shutting down of a private television channel by Senegalese citizens, who accused it of inciting violence through its coverage of the protests.
Amnesty International’s Senegal chapter has criticised the government’s actions, calling for the respect of freedom of the press and citizens’ right to information.
This week, lawmakers are set to debate a bill 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 scheduled for February 25.
Despite the government’s actions, more demonstrations are planned outside the parliament, with the hashtag #FreeSenegal trending on X (formerly Twitter).
Former Prime Minister and opposition candidate Aminata Touré, who was arrested during Sunday’s protest, confirmed her release in an online post, urging citizens to mobilise in defence of democracy and against the election postponement.
Another opposition candidate, Daouda Ndiaye, reported being attacked by police. In an online post, he announced his hospitalisation but reiterated the call for the election to proceed on February 25.
