On the evening of Wednesday, June 1st, social media platforms were blocked throughout the territory of Senegal, cutting off conversations between internet users.
Users experienced significant difficulties in accessing Twitter, Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, and YouTube around 10 p.m. This blockade was confirmed by Netblocks, which stated that the restriction affected all telecommunications operators in the country.
Confirmed: Metrics show the restriction of social media and messaging platforms including Twitter, Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, and YouTube in #Senegal; the incident comes amid protests over the sentencing of opposition figure Ousmane Sonko Report: https://t.co/2ckQPxJ5j3 pic.twitter.com/MuohanLeCP
- NetBlocks (@netblocks) June 1, 2023
Faced with this restriction, many internet users were forced to download Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) to bypass the measures in place. On social media, users did not hesitate to condemn this act by the Senegalese government, expressing their discontent and concern regarding the limitation of their freedom of expression and online connection.
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It is worth noting that Senegal is generally considered a democratic country where freedom of expression and connection is respected. Therefore, this restriction comes in a context of heightened tensions following the sentencing of Ousmane Sonko, the main opposition figure to President Macky Sall.
This decision to block social media is a first in Senegal, sparking a lively debate among the population and raising concerns about the respect for digital rights in the country. Internet users are questioning the reasons behind such a measure and its impact on freedom of expression and access to information.
As social media plays a crucial role in the dissemination of information and public discourse, its blockade raises concerns about transparency and democratic openness in the Senegalese government.
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It remains to be seen whether this restriction of social media in Senegal will be temporary or if it will mark a turning point in the country’s digital policy. The upcoming days will be crucial in determining the extent of this measure and its consequences on the online lives of Senegalese people and the media landscape as a whole.
Senegal internet Senegal internet
Charles Rapulu Udoh
Charles Rapulu Udoh is a Lagos-based lawyer, who has several years of experience working in Africa’s burgeoning tech startup industry. He has closed multi-million dollar deals bordering on venture capital, private equity, intellectual property (trademark, patent or design, etc.), mergers and acquisitions, in countries such as in the Delaware, New York, UK, Singapore, British Virgin Islands, South Africa, Nigeria etc. He’s also a corporate governance and cross-border data privacy and tax expert.
As an award-winning writer and researcher, he is passionate about telling the African startup story, and is one of the continent’s pioneers in this regard