Senegal’s government has restricted access to mobile internet as opposition leaders and supporters launch protests against President Macky Sall’s decision to postpone presidential elections scheduled for February 25. .
Mobile internet access was cut off in the capital Dakar and other parts of the country as parliament was due to consider a bill to extend Sall’s term beyond April 2, when he is scheduled to leave office.
The Ministry of Communications, Telecommunications and Digital Economy said the internet was shut down due to “the spread of several hateful and destructive messages relayed on social networks against the background of threats and disturbances to public order”. Ta.
The move further deepens political tensions in one of Africa’s most stable democracies since Mr Sall’s decision on Saturday to postpone the vote. He cited disputes between the judiciary and Congress over the disqualification of some candidates and reports of dual citizenship of some qualified candidates.
Many users in the capital said they had been unable to access mobile data on their phones since the morning.
Opposition groups called for a protest outside parliament a day after violent street demonstrations broke out in Dakar during which security forces fired tear gas at demonstrators and at least one opposition leader was arrested.
The union at Sonatel, Senegal’s main telephone operator, said on Sunday it expected possible power outages and “opposes any idea by the Senegalese government to shut down or restrict the internet.”
The government also suspended mobile data communications in June last year amid rising tensions in the country.
