Senegal suspends mobile internet ahead of planned march over vote delay

Ahead of a scheduled silent march organised by activist groups, Senegal’s communications ministry instructed mobile operators to suspend internet access on Tuesday. This march, which had been banned by authorities was intended to protest the sudden postponement of a presidential election. The announcement of the postponement, just weeks before the planned February 25 vote, led to violent clashes last week, resulting in the deaths of three young individuals and multiple arrests. In response to the delay, Parliament has voted to reschedule the election for December 15th. However, this decision has raised concerns among opposition members, as it extends President Macky Sall’s mandate in a departure from Senegal’s democratic norms. It was unclear whether the march would take place after authorities on Monday banned it, citing logistical concerns. The civil society and religious groups that called the demonstration will hold a press conference later on Tuesday to announce next steps, spokesman Amadou Samb told Reuters. The vote’s postponement dismayed many in Senegal, one of West Africa’s more stable democracies, in a region where military takeovers and constitutional manoeuvring have forced democracy into retreat in many countries in recent years. In a statement, the ministry blamed hateful online messages for the deaths and material damage incurred during the recent demonstrations. In the capital Dakar, police in riot gear on Friday fired tear gas, stun grenades and what appeared to be rubber bullets at protesters who were burning tyres and throwing stones, a Reuters reporter said. Amnesty International and the U.N. human rights office called on the Senegalese government to investigate the killings and police brutality against protesters. At least 266 people have been arrested across the country, including journalists, spokesperson for the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Liz Throssell said. West Africa’s regional bloc ECOWAS on Monday sent a parliamentary diplomatic mission to Senegal to discuss the political situation in the country. With inputs from Reuters.