Senegal cut mobile internet access on Tuesday ahead of a banned march against the postponement of a presidential election, and rights groups accused the authorities of using overly repressive tactics to stifle widespread opposition to the delay.
The abrupt postponement of the February 25 vote to December has plunged Senegal into crisis and intensified a backlash against what many see as an attempt to extend President Macky Sall’s mandate and a threat to one of the remaining democracies in coup-hit West Africa.
After deadly clashes between protesters and police late last week, the government refused to permit a silent march planned by activist groups for Tuesday and ordered mobile operators to suspend internet access.
In a statement, the communications ministry said the suspension was necessary because hateful and subversive online messages had provoked the previous unrest.
Internet monitor Netblocks said: “The incident underscores the growing use of mass censorship in the country.”
The UN Human Rights Office and Amnesty International accused the authorities of disregarding fundamental rights to freedom of assembly and expression and using excessive force against protesters.
Three people were killed and around 270 reportedly detained during the protests that swept the capital Dakar and several other Senegalese cities on Friday and Saturday.
“Amid rising tensions and reports of planned further protests, it is crucial that the authorities unequivocally order the security forces to respect and ensure human rights,” UN human rights spokesperson Elizabeth Throssell said at a briefing on Tuesday.
Organisers of Tuesday’s march said it would now be held at 1100 GMT on Saturday and called on people nationwide to take part.
Sall has said the election delay was necessary because electoral disputes threatened the credibility of the vote, but some opposition lawmakers and civil society groups have denounced it as an “institutional coup”.
The standoff has raised fears of protracted unrest in a country usually seen as one of West Africa’s more stable democracies.
The region has witnessed a string of military coups and constitutional manoeuvres to extend presidencies in recent years.
The French foreign ministry said on Tuesday Senegal must hold a new presidential election “as soon as possible” and use proportionate force when dealing with protests.
A diplomatic mission from West Africa’s main political and economic bloc has been in Senegal since Monday to discuss the situation.
