Senegal suspends TikTok after unrest

Senegal suspends TikTok after unrest

TikTok has been suspended in Senegal for allegedly spreading 'hateful and subversive messages'
TikTok has been suspended in Senegal for allegedly spreading 'hateful and subversive messages'. Photo: Kirill KUDRYAVTSEV / AFP
Source: AFP

Senegal on Wednesday suspended TikTok, saying the video-sharing platform had been used to fan violence sparked by the detention of opposition figure Ousmane Sonko.

Authorities had already cut mobile data access on Monday, with several human rights groups denouncing the measure -- as well as the dissolution of Sonko's party.

"The TikTok application is the social network of choice for ill-intentioned people to spread hateful and subversive messages threatening the stability of the country," the minister of communications and the digital economy, Moussa Bocar Thiam, said in a statement.

Unrest erupted after Sonko was charged on Monday with fomenting insurrection, undermining state security, criminal association with a terrorist body, and other crimes.

At least three people have died in the unrest, while two others were killed Tuesday in a petrol bomb attack on a bus in the outskirts of the capital Dakar.

Read also

BREAKING: NMA declares indefinite strike in 3 gov't-owned hospitals over death of colleague

No clear link between established between the bus attack and the protests.

PAY ATTENTION: Join Legit.ng Telegram channel! Never miss important updates!

Three parked buses were also hit by petrol bombs in the city of Thies on Wednesday, though no casualties were reported.

"The government's decision to dissolve PASTEF violates freedom of expression, association, peaceful assembly, and democratic participation," Human Rights Watch (HRW) said in a statement Tuesday evening.

It called on authorities to reinstate the party and restore internet.

"The dissolution of a political party is an extremely serious measure, which should only be used as a last resort... in accordance with democratic principles and respect for fundamental rights," the International Federation for Human Rights (FDIH) said in a statement on Wednesday.

Amnesty International has also denounced the internet restrictions.

Sonko, who had already been convicted in two other cases, could face between five and 20 years in prison on the fresh charges, according to his lawyers.

His sentencing in absentia to two years in prison in a moral corruption case in June sparked fatal clashes that left at least 16 dead.

Source: AFP

Authors:
AFP avatar

AFP AFP text, photo, graphic, audio or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium. AFP news material may not be stored in whole or in part in a computer or otherwise except for personal and non-commercial use. AFP will not be held liable for any delays, inaccuracies, errors or omissions in any AFP news material or in transmission or delivery of all or any part thereof or for any damages whatsoever. As a newswire service, AFP does not obtain releases from subjects, individuals, groups or entities contained in its photographs, videos, graphics or quoted in its texts. Further, no clearance is obtained from the owners of any trademarks or copyrighted materials whose marks and materials are included in AFP material. Therefore you will be solely responsible for obtaining any and all necessary releases from whatever individuals and/or entities necessary for any uses of AFP material.