Mobile internet access was suddenly cut off by Senegal on Tuesday just before a prohibited march against the postponement of the presidential election. Rights groups have accused the authorities of using suppressive tactics to silence the widespread opposition to the delay.
The abrupt decision to delay the election from February 25th to December has thrown Senegal into crisis and intensified the backlash against what many perceive as an attempt to extend President Macky Sall's term in office, putting one of the remaining democracies in coup-hit West Africa at risk.
Following violent clashes between protesters and police last week, the government denied permission for a silent march organized by activist groups on Tuesday and ordered mobile operators to suspend internet access.
The Ministry of Communications stated that the suspension was necessary due to the provocation of hateful and subversive online messages during the previous unrest.
Internet monitor Netblocks noted that "The incident underscores the growing use of mass censorship in the country."
The United Nations human rights office and Amnesty International have accused the authorities of disregarding fundamental rights to freedom of assembly and expression, as well as using excessive force against protesters.
During the protests that spread across the capital Dakar and various other Senegalese cities on Friday and Saturday, three people were killed and around 270 were reportedly detained.
"Amidst escalating tensions and reports of planned further protests, it is crucial that the authorities unequivocally order the security forces to respect and ensure human rights," stated U.N. human rights spokesperson Elizabeth Throssell during a briefing on Tuesday.
Today's renewed suspension of mobile internet access and the ban on the silent march are violations of the right to freedom of expression and the right to information," Amnesty's West Africa office remarked.
Organizers of Tuesday's march have rescheduled it for Saturday and have called on people across the country to participate.
President Sall argues that the election delay was necessary due to electoral disputes that threatened the credibility of the vote. However, some opposition lawmakers and civil society groups have condemned it as an "institutional coup."
This standoff has raised concerns about prolonged unrest in a country that is typically seen as one of West Africa's more stable democracies. The region has experienced a series of military coups and constitutional manipulations to extend presidential terms in recent years.
On Tuesday, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken voiced U.S. concern about the situation to President Sall, emphasizing the United States' desire to see the elections continue as scheduled. The French foreign ministry also urged Senegal to hold a new presidential election "as soon as possible" and to use proportional force when dealing with protests.
A diplomatic mission from West Africa's main political and economic bloc, ECOWAS, has been in Senegal since Monday to discuss the situation. They recommended in a statement the dispatch of a new mission next week to assist in organizing a national political dialogue as an emergency measure.
"The decision to postpone the election is causing tensions that could lead to a deadlock and jeopardize the conditions necessary for transparent and just elections," the statement read.