By Beatrice Kayaga |
The internet has become an indispensable cornerstone of modern democracy because it serves as the primary platform where citizens can freely access diverse information, express their opinions without barriers, and actively engage in meaningful political discourse. However, governments are increasingly using internet shutdowns to silence dissenting voices, which poses a significant threat to democratic rights and principles. The shutdowns take several forms, including total blackouts, throttling of bandwidth, network filtering, Domain Name System (DNS) blocking and targeted restrictions on specific social media platforms, among others. These measures are often implemented during periods of political unrest, elections, or civil protests.
A study by the Digital Rights Alliance Africa (DRAA), a consortium hosted by the Collaboration on International ICT Policy for East and Southern Africa (CIPESA), underscores how internet shutdowns and disruptions are undermining democracy in Africa. The report which highlights the key issues, trends, practices and consequences of internet shutdowns. It shows that the internet is critical for providing access to information, voter education and electoral campaigns, expression, and improving accountability and transparency.
Governments justify these actions arguing that they are necessary for curbing hate speech, preventing examination malpractices, and maintaining national security and public order. However, the reality is that such shutdowns hinder the full enjoyment of a wide range of fundamental rights and freedoms, particularly the right to freedom of expression and opinion, access to information, and freedom of assembly and association among others.
Over the years, numerous instances of internet shutdowns often triggered by political tensions and unrest have been registered. Unfortunately, the trend continues. In 2025, there have been several restrictions on internet access for political, security, or social reasons. For example, in late January the National Communication Authority of South Sudan directed all internet service providers to block access to social media for a maximum of 90 days in response to unrest sparked by the circulation of graphic videos showing the killings of its nationals. In May 2025, Tanzania blocked access to the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) after hackers breached official accounts of the Tanzania Police Force and spread false information about President Samia Suluhu’s death.
This blockage coincided with a crackdown on human rights activists, including the detention and deportation of Kenyan and Ugandan activists who had gone to monitor the treason trial of the opposition leader Tundu Lissu. The government officially justified the ban on June 4, citing X’s hosting of pornographic material that violated Tanzanian laws and moral values. Later the same year, Tanzania shut down the internet during the presidential elections in October 2025.
Kenya also effectively imposed a media shutdown by ordering all television and radio stations to stop any live coverage of the June 25, 2025, demonstrations, which curtailed media freedom and transparency. Togo in June 2025 also shut down the internet for a period of 43 days due to political unrest, with the government blocking access to key social media and messaging platforms such as Facebook, Signal, and Telegram.
Internet shutdowns not only undermine democracy but also violate fundamental human rights such as freedom of expression, assembly and access to information. By restricting access to information and communication, shutdowns limit civic engagement. The repercussions of internet shutdowns extend beyond the immediate political implications, and have far-reaching impacts on other human rights such as the right to health,and right to education which is disrupted when online learning platforms become inaccessible. This was seen in Algeria’s 2024 internet shutdown.
Internet shutdowns also impact economic rights, as they inflict substantial damage on the economy. They disrupt businesses, stifle innovation, and halt critical services, leading to lost revenue and diminished productivity. They also contribute to the escalation of human rights abuses by creating an environment where violations can occur without accountability. When citizens are unable to document events or share their experiences, impunity flourishes.
States have a fundamental obligation under international and regional human rights law to respect, protect, and fulfil the right to freedom of expression and access to information, including during times of political tension or unrest. The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights affirms in its Resolution 362 that the rights to freedom of expression and access to information under Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, apply equally online, condemning state-imposed internet disruptions, particularly during elections. Building on this, Resolution 580 urges States to ensure unimpeded internet access before, during, and after elections by enacting laws and measures to prevent shutdowns. Together, they denounce such disruptions as violations of democratic rights and call for legal safeguards to protect online freedoms.
Similarly, Article 4(1) of the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance requires State Parties to actively promote democracy, the rule of law, and human rights. This obligation extends to creating an enabling environment where citizens can freely seek, receive, and impart information without undue interference. Internet service providers, on the other hand, under the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, have a responsibility to ensure access to the internet in the areas where they operate and to prevent adverse human rights impacts linked to their activities. Therefore, when service providers choose to implement a government-ordered internet shutdown instead of adhering to international human rights standards, they risk being complicit in violations of fundamental rights.
Beyond the established legal frameworks governing freedom of expression in online spaces, regional courts are increasingly playing a critical role in holding states accountable for internet shutdowns. In May 2025, the ECOWAS Court of Justice found Senegal’s June–July 2023 internet shutdown unlawful, concluding that blocking mobile data and social media after Ousmane Sonko’s conviction violated citizens’ rights to free expression, information and the right to work.
Civil society organizations and coalitions such as the Digital Rights Alliance are equally playing a crucial role in holding states accountable for internet shutdowns by monitoring and documenting incidents of internet disruptions and raising public awareness about internet shutdowns. Despite these affirmations of human rights, the challenge remains for many African countries to align their practices with these resolutions. The disconnect between policy and practice is evident in the alarming trend of governments justifying internet shutdowns through vague notions of security while disregarding their legal obligations to uphold human rights. Such actions not only threaten democracy but also deter foreign investment and economic development, as the unpredictability of a country’s political landscape becomes a disincentive for business