Record High of Internet Shutdowns in Africa: A Growing Concern for Digital Rights

In 2024, internet shutdowns in Africa reached an unprecedented record, with 21 incidents across 15 countries. This increase reflects a troubling trend where access to the internet is used as a political weapon during conflicts and elections. Advocacy efforts are ongoing to reverse this trend, highlighted by a recent resolution from the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

In 2024, Africa experienced a record number of internet shutdowns, with 21 incidents recorded in 15 countries, as reported by Access Now and the KeepItOn coalition. This figure surpasses the previous peak of 19 shutdowns seen in 2020 and 2021. Countries including Comoros, Guinea-Bissau, Mauritius, Burundi, Ethiopia, Equatorial Guinea, and Kenya were among the offenders, with Guinea, Nigeria, Senegal, and Tanzania also implementing restrictions, primarily in response to conflicts, protests, and political instability.

The report indicates that telecommunications and internet service providers that comply with government shutdown orders violate individuals’ rights, according to Felicia Anthonio, campaign manager for KeepItOn. Most shutdowns occurred during elections, reflecting a broader trend of escalating internet restrictions worldwide, where a total of 296 shutdowns were documented in 54 countries in 2024, an increase from the previous year’s 283 in 39 countries.

Since 2016, there have been 1,754 documented shutdowns, illustrating a concerning trend where internet access is increasingly weaponized for political purposes. At least five shutdowns in Africa lasted over a year, including ongoing restrictions in Uganda and on Annobon island in Equatorial Guinea following protests.

In response to the widespread disruptions, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights passed a pivotal resolution in March 2024 aimed at addressing and reversing this trend. However, the situation has not improved, as indicated by Anthonio, who lamented an increase in election-related shutdowns despite this new resolution. Nonetheless, the resolution offers a framework for civil advocacy, and there have been instances where authorities in Mauritius and South Sudan reversed shutdown orders shortly thereafter.

The alarming rise in internet shutdowns across Africa in 2024 highlights the urgent need for reforms to uphold digital rights. With governments increasingly leveraging these disruptions as a tool for political control, the passing of the African Commission’s resolution in March 2024 signifies an important step towards mitigating these practices. Continuous advocacy and monitoring are essential to protect internet access as a fundamental right, especially during times of civil unrest and electoral activities.

Original Source: www.theguardian.com