We, the undersigned human rights organisations, advocates for internet freedom and media freedom, members of the #KeepItOn coalition strongly condemn the suspension of mobile data internet in Senegal. This measure was taken by the Ministry of Communication, Telecommunications, and Digital Economy, citing the dissemination of hateful and subversive messages on social media in the context of threats and public disturbances.
This decision comes amid the President’s announcement to repeal Decree 2023-2283 of November 29, 2023, which convened the electoral body and consequently led to the cancellation of the presidential election scheduled for February 25, 2024.
We urge the Senegalese government to swiftly end the ongoing shutdowns and restore internet access across the country. Internet shutdowns violate fundamental rights and international standards regarding freedom of expression and access to information.
We call on the Senegalese authorities to respect freedom of expression both online and offline, and to put an end to Internet shutdowns. We also remind the Senegalese government of its international human rights obligations, notably those set out in the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR), the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), to which Senegal is a party.
In Senegal, one of the most connected countries in Africa, internet access is vital for economic development, social progress, innovation, education, health, and digital inclusion. A day of internet shutdown in Senegal may represent a loss of four billion eight hundred one million seven hundred six thousand four hundred seventy-seven (4,801,706,477) CFA francs about 7 320 154,33 Euros.
This marks the fourth time we have witnessed an internet shutdown in Senegal over the last few years. Previous shutdowns occurred on 5 March 5, 2021, in June 2023 following an official announcement by the Ministry of the Interior, and on 31 July 2023, through a statement from the Ministry of Communication, Telecommunications, and Digital Economy. It is important to note that the statement issued by the Ministry of Communication, Telecommunications, and Digital Economy on 4 February provides no legal basis; it merely reflects the minister’s apprehension, which is insufficient for an internet shutdown. The full shutdown follows the suspension and blocking of of TikTok in July 2023 amid political tensions and a wave of protests. TikTok users are forced to use a virtual proxy network (VPN) to gain access.
While the African Declaration of Internet Rights and Freedoms stipulates the right to information, stating that « everyone has the right to access information on the Internet, »
Plus de 24H de coupure de l’internet des données mobiles, selon @netblocks 1 journée de coupure c’est 4,801,706,477 f cfa de perte. @orange_sn @free_senegal @expressosenegal communiquez sur les pertes par jour et de prenez des décisions. #KeepItOn mobile #InternetShutdown pic.twitter.com/fBCpnccgth
— Emmanuel (@EmmanuelDiokh) February 6, 2024
Principle 38 of the Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information in Africa urges states not to interfere with internet and digital technology interruptions targeting specific segments or the entire population.
Freedom of expression, access to information, and internet access are universal rights that must be protected, promoted, and respected. The mobile data internet restriction does not meet the requirements of the three-part test of Article 19(3) of the ICCPR in terms of legality, legitimacy, and proportionality. The Court of Justice of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has ruled on several cases in Africa that the restriction of Internet access was unfounded and constituted a violation of freedom of expression.
Signatories
● Ibrahima Lissa FAYE, journaliste PressAfrik
● ARTICLE 19 Sénégal and West Africa
● Ababacar DIOP, Jonction
● El Hadji Daouda DIAGNE, Computech Institute
● Ousseynou GUEYE, Polaris Asso
● Mojiraya OGUNLANA, DigiCivic Initiative (DI)
● Basile NIANE, Journaliste et consultant IT -Directeur de Social Net Link
● Mountaga CISSÉ, Consultant, formateur en médias numériques
● Gérard DACOSTA (RootSN), Ingénieur en MSSI – Consultant IT & Trainer
● Astou DIOUF, Juriste chercheure en Droit numérique à Jonction
● Emmanuel DIOKH, Responsable Internet Sans Frontières Sénégal.
● Jaly BADIANE, Wa MBED MI/ SENEGAL VOTE
● Alassane SECK, Ligue Sénégalaise des Droits de l’Homme (LSDH)
● Sadikh NIASS, Rencontre Africaine pour la Défense des Droits de l’Homme (RADDHO)
● AfricTivistes
● Elimane Haby KANE, Président LEGS Africa
● Oumy Régina SAMBOU, Journaliste
● Réseau des Blogueurs du Sénégal
● Access Now
● Assane Sy, EDUCTECH 221
● Divan Citoyen
● Arsène Tungali, Rudi International
● The Prepare and Prevent Network Senegal
● Paradigm Initiative (PIN)
● Organization of the Justice Campaign
● Life campaign to abolish the death sentence in Kurdistan
