Increase in internet restrictions across Africa
Lenin Ndebele - There were nine internet restrictions in eight African countries in the first half of 2023 - and this was double the number of restrictions the same time last year, according to a report by Surfshark.
Surfshark, a Netherlands-based internet monitor, said the restrictions were related to political turmoil and protests.
"All of Africa's new restrictions were imposed amid protests or other political turmoil, highlighting the critical role the internet plays during periods of civil unrest," the organisation said in a statement.
The African countries that experienced internet shutdowns between January and June this year were Ethiopia, Mauritania, Senegal, Guinea, Sudan and Tanzania.
And, in Burkina Faso and Eritrea, long-term restrictions from the previous year continued throughout the first half of this year.
More expected
Gabriele Racaityte-Krasauske, a spokesperson for Surfshark, said there would likely be more internet restrictions across Africa because of elections and military involvement in civilian affairs.
She said: “Today, billions of people are subjected to internet restrictions, which continue to increase at an alarming rate. Internet restrictions often happen in times of political unrest, such as protests, controversial elections or even military action, which is when people need to be connected to one another the most.”
In Sudan, the internet shutdown deprived many of healthcare and humanitarian assistance.
Racaityte-Krasauske said the shutdowns left people with no means to communicate with the outside world.
"When the internet is restricted, people are left with limited opportunities to spread information to the rest of the world, organising protests, medical aid for people in need, and contacting friends and loved ones. It's important to spread the word on this because the people affected often have limited opportunity to do so themselves," she said.
Countries
In February 2023, Ethiopia imposed social media restrictions in response to demonstrations against the break-up of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church.
At the same time, amid political unrest, Tanzania temporarily imposed restrictions on the social audio platform, Clubhouse, commonly used by activists.
In the midst of the armed struggle between opposing military force factions, the Rapid Support Forces and Sudanese Armed Forces, Sudan began enforcing a number of national internet restrictions in April.
During anti-government protests in May, Guinea enforced social media bans.
In response to demonstrations against the June 2023 sentencing of opposition leader Ousmane Sonko, Senegal temporarily imposed restrictions on social media and mobile internet usage. – Fin24
Surfshark, a Netherlands-based internet monitor, said the restrictions were related to political turmoil and protests.
"All of Africa's new restrictions were imposed amid protests or other political turmoil, highlighting the critical role the internet plays during periods of civil unrest," the organisation said in a statement.
The African countries that experienced internet shutdowns between January and June this year were Ethiopia, Mauritania, Senegal, Guinea, Sudan and Tanzania.
And, in Burkina Faso and Eritrea, long-term restrictions from the previous year continued throughout the first half of this year.
More expected
Gabriele Racaityte-Krasauske, a spokesperson for Surfshark, said there would likely be more internet restrictions across Africa because of elections and military involvement in civilian affairs.
She said: “Today, billions of people are subjected to internet restrictions, which continue to increase at an alarming rate. Internet restrictions often happen in times of political unrest, such as protests, controversial elections or even military action, which is when people need to be connected to one another the most.”
In Sudan, the internet shutdown deprived many of healthcare and humanitarian assistance.
Racaityte-Krasauske said the shutdowns left people with no means to communicate with the outside world.
"When the internet is restricted, people are left with limited opportunities to spread information to the rest of the world, organising protests, medical aid for people in need, and contacting friends and loved ones. It's important to spread the word on this because the people affected often have limited opportunity to do so themselves," she said.
Countries
In February 2023, Ethiopia imposed social media restrictions in response to demonstrations against the break-up of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church.
At the same time, amid political unrest, Tanzania temporarily imposed restrictions on the social audio platform, Clubhouse, commonly used by activists.
In the midst of the armed struggle between opposing military force factions, the Rapid Support Forces and Sudanese Armed Forces, Sudan began enforcing a number of national internet restrictions in April.
During anti-government protests in May, Guinea enforced social media bans.
In response to demonstrations against the June 2023 sentencing of opposition leader Ousmane Sonko, Senegal temporarily imposed restrictions on social media and mobile internet usage. – Fin24
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