The Senegalese government has cut mobile internet access in the country on Tuesday ahead of a prohibited march against the shifting of a presidential election. This act has spurred rights groups to accuse the authorities of using excessive repressive tactics to smother widespread opposition to the postponement.
The sudden postponement of the February 25 elections to December has pitched Senegal into crisis and heightened a backlash against what many view as an attempt to amplify President Macky Sall’s directive and a threat to one of the remaining democracies in coup-ridden West Africa.
After brutal attacks between demonstrators and the police late last week, the government declined permitting a silent march planned by activist groups for Tuesday and directed operators to postpone internet access.
The communications ministry had in a statement said that the suspension was requires because hateful and subversive online messages had stirred the previous unrest.
Meanwhile, the organisers of Tuesday’s march have said that it would now be held at 11:00 GMT on Saturday, February 17, and had called on citizens across the country to take part.
Sall, on his part has said that the election delay was requisite because electoral disputes threatened the credibility of the vote, however, several opposition lawmakers and civil society groups have condemned Sall’s decision, calling it an “institutional coup”.
